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Toxicosis in Dogs

Toxicosis in Dogs

Toxicity, toxin exposure, poisoning

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Updated on September 26, 2024

SUMMARY OF CONTENT

Toxicosis occurs when a dog is exposed to a toxin or poisonous substance that results in changes within the body, some of which have the potential to be very serious.

SEVERITY:

Severity is mild to moderate to severe
  • Diagnosis Icon
    Requires a diagnosis by a veterinarian
  • Time to Cure
    Resolves within days to weeks, or may be fatal
  • Treatment Icon
    Treatable by a veterinarian, by the pet parent
  • Prevention Icon
    Avoid exposure or ingestion
  • Spread Icon
    Transmission is not directly possible between animals or from animals to people
  • Lab Icon
    Diagnosis requires physical exam, lab tests

VERY COMMON IN

Dogs of any age, breed, or gender can be exposed to toxins.

Symptoms & Signs

Toxicosis occurs when a dog is exposed to a toxin or poison either through eating, inhaling, or touching such a substance. This exposure then leads to changes in normal bodily functions. The method of toxin exposure and subsequent bodily changes vary widely depending upon the specific toxin involved. Symptoms may include but are not limited to: vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, increased or decreased heart rate, increased or decreased respiratory rate, excessive salivation, tremors, seizures, ataxia (wobbly gait), collapse, hemorrhage (bleeding, internal or external) and redness or swelling in or around the mouth.

Diagnosis

Many toxicoses in dogs occur as the dog is either observed ingesting a toxin or the remnants, wrappers, or evidence is found left behind. In these cases, the diagnosis of the toxicity is already known, but additional lab testing may be needed to determine if the toxin ingested has caused any organ dysfunction, anemia, or coagulopathy. The specific testing needed is based upon the specific toxin, as different toxins can impact different body systems. If signs are seen at home that may be suspicious of toxin exposure, the detective process begins to determine which toxin may be the culprit. This determination is quite important, since toxins can act on so many different body systems, leading to a variety of potential problems and requiring different treatments. If a dog begins to display abnormal behavior or mentation, spontaneous bleeding, seizures, sudden vomiting and/or diarrhea, lethargy, or pale gums, toxicosis needs to be considered. There are no blood or urine tests that will provide a definitive answer for exposure to all toxins, but baseline lab tests may provide some clues. A complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry panel, and urinalysis are generally performed for most dogs with a suspected toxicosis, since some changes can make the exposure to certain toxins more or less likely. If drug exposure is a strong possibility, there are urine tests available that will determine if certain illicit drugs have been ingested. The testing of blood clotting (PT, PTT, etc.) can be performed if bleeding abnormalities are observed. Additionally, abdominal x-rays may be needed if a stomach or intestinal obstruction is suspected from the ingestion of wood glue. Electrocardiograms (EKG/ECG) may be performed if heart abnormalities are observed or suspected.

Causation

Toxicosis occurs when a dog eats, touches, or inhales a poisonous substance. Different toxins can act on the body in different manners. Some can lead to seizures and neurologic abnormalities, hyperexcitability, gastrointestinal signs (vomiting, diarrhea, changes in appetite), kidney dysfunction, liver dysfunction, anemia (low red blood cell count), or coagulopathy (blood clotting disorder). At home, signs of toxicity may include lethargy, abnormal mentation or behavior, vomiting, diarrhea, white gums, seizures, spontaneous bleeding (including blood in the stool), and increased water consumption and urination volumes. The following list includes many of the most commonly reported toxicities in dogs. However, it is not an exhaustive list. If your dog was exposed to a substance and you are unsure if it is toxic, contact a veterinarian or animal poison control center. - Foods o Chocolate o Grapes and raisins o Onions and garlic o Macadamia nuts o Xylitol o Moldy foods - Drugs o Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin) o Stimulant medications (methylxanthines, pseudoephedrine) o Marijuana- Household exposure o Rodenticide (rat poison) o Ethylene glycol (antifreeze) o Insecticides o Certain plants o Wood glue (Gorilla Glue) o Some essential oils o Cleaning products, including bleach o Tobacco products

Treatments

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AT-HOME CARE

If exposure to a toxin is known or highly suspected, veterinary attention is necessary. **It is not recommended to induce vomiting at home using hydrogen peroxide.** Studies have shown significant damage can be caused to the esophagus and stomach by hydrogen peroxide administration. Additionally, some toxins can cause further damage if vomiting is induced. After veterinary attention has been sought, certain medication may be prescribed for use at home in addition to dietary modifications and monitoring of appetite, energy level, behavioral changes, vomiting, and diarrhea.
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SUPPORTIVE CARE

Many dogs with toxicosis require hospitalization for intravenous (IV) fluids, supportive medications, and close monitoring. Depending upon the severity and type of toxin exposure, outpatient treatment may be an option.
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MEDICATIONS

The medications given to treat a toxicosis vary greatly depending upon the specific toxin involved. Some of these medications include activated charcoal, antacids, vitamin K, sedative medications, and glucose.
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DEVICES

None
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SURGERY

Endoscopic or surgical procedures may be needed to remove foreign material in the gastrointestinal tract, such as pennies leading to a zinc toxicosis or lead-based objects. Expanding water activated polyurethane adhesives, such as Gorilla Glue, may also necessitate surgery.
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SPECIALISTS

Both general practitioner and emergency veterinarians manage most toxin exposures in dogs, but referral to specialists in veterinary internal medicine, emergency and critical care, and surgery may be necessary for more severely affected cases.

Cost Of Treatment

Cost is variable depending on the type of toxicosis and treatment required.

Recovery

The recovery from a toxicosis is highly variable and is based upon the specific toxin exposure, duration between toxin exposure and treatment, and the severity of clinical signs and organ damage. Some dogs recover from toxicosis immediately after vomiting, whereas others improve after several hours, days, or weeks. However, certain toxicoses can be fatal.

Monitoring

Specific monitoring needs are again dependent upon the type of toxin exposure and the severity of effects on an individual dog. Some toxins require frequent monitoring of blood values (including liver and kidney values, electrolytes, blood glucose, etc.), EKG, neurologic exam, blood clotting times, and overall clinical signs. At home, dogs should be monitored for changes in appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, behavioral or mentation changes, seizures, and changes in water consumption and urination volume.

Prevention

The mainstay of prevention is to avoid exposure to toxins.

Questions about Toxicosis in Dogs
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My dog I heated uses tampon is it an emergency

Unfortunately I'm having a little trouble understand your question as I'm not sure what you mean by "My dog I heated uses tampons..." I'm wondering if Bella ate a tampon or if you wanted to use one on her while she is in heat. I will answer both to be safe. If she ate a tampon, then yes this is a medical emergency and she has to see a vet now. Tampons can easily cause obstructions in the GI tract, especially since they are absorbent and can get large in the stomach from liquid in there. if Bella ate a tampon, you need to take her into a vet immediately to get it removed. If she is on heat, no you cannot use a tampon to control her bleeding. It's not safe to use at all, and are not meant for dogs. You can put a diaper on her to catch any bloody discharge. There are dog specific diapers online and at pets stores, or you can use one made of a human child. Just cut a hole in it for her tail. Hopefully this answers your question. If it doesn't, I'm sorry and ask you post again in the forum for free to it can get answered!

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I have a cat that as a kitten was very ill. We got him from 7 months old. We knew he’d had cat flu prior to him coming here. He is now nearly 5 yrs old. He picks huge fights with our other cat. He keeps urinating and scratching at doors and windows around the house. We allow him to go out via the cat flap unlimited. What is happening to him

I'm glad to see that Pippin has been neutered because this eliminates that possibility of hormone-fueled behavioral changes and aggression. Behavioral changes in cats can occur at any point in time, and could be related to anxiety or stressful situations (even rearranging furniture or introducing new people to the home can be stressful to cats). Without a lot more information and observing Pippin's behaviors, I can't precisely tell you why these changes are occurring. It may be best to consult a veterinary behaviorist in your home so that they can observe everything firsthand. You can also try using calming pheromone collars or diffusers (Feliway is one example), and discussing the use of anxiety medication with Pippin's vet. I hope that all goes well!

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Hi! My cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes. He’s taking insulin and taking antibiotics for a Uti. It’s been 4 weeks and he wobles when he’s walking. He can’t jump up on the bed like he used to.He’s blood sugar is 250 it’s better than it used to. I don’t understand why he’s so wobbly.

Cats can develop what's called diabetic neuropathy, where their hindlegs become progressively weak. The best thing to do is try to get his diabetes under control as quickly as possible. Here is a link describing the conditon: http://www.diabeticcatcare.com/DCCCOK/Neuropathy.htm

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My senior cat has metastized cancer.17 yrs old. My vet gave her predizone1 and one half tabs a day.i wanted to know if i can just stop the meds.

Is there a reason you want to stop the prednisone? I would recommend not stopping it and if you feel it is better to stop the prednisone then I would recommend weaning off of the prednisone. I would discuss how to wean the prednisone with your veterinarian. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.

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My dog has an ear infection

Sorry to hear Marley isn't doing so well with his ears. It is not possible to tell from tge picture tve exact nature of the irritation but if it is indeed infected (typically red, hot, painful and smelly), he will need prescription medication from his regular vet. In the meantime I recommend gently cleaning tge outer war with cotton wool and a pet safe ear cleaner to reduce the build up of wax/discharge

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My dog vomited a pinkish colour. Does this look like blood vomit? She doesn’t have diarrhoea or anything else. Yesterday i fed her plain chicken with rice.

That is very red vomit, however, this color could be linked to a number of things including blood in the vomit, inflammation of the GI tract, having chewed on a toy this color, eaten a food item this color, or gotten into a plant or other item this color. If the vomiting continues, worsens, or other symptoms appear such as a painful or bloated abdomen, diarrhea or blood in the stool, or severe distress, I would schedule a veterinary appointment right away to rule out more severe issues. In the meantime I would continue the bland diet for 24 hours, and monitor for any additional vomiting or illness symptoms.

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Disclaimer

The information contained on this page is for educational purposes only. Treatment should only be provided under the advice of a veterinarian who has examined your pet under the laws applicable to your state of residence.