Poisoning in dogs is quite common. Not a single animal is immune from its occurrence. Sometimes this happens intentionally, when they want to poison a dog. But often poisoning occurs unintentionally. Acute poisonings, which, as a rule, are severe and can lead to the development of serious complications, are considered especially dangerous to the health and life of the animal.

Types of poisoning

Veterinary experts divide all animal poisonings into two main groups:

• food. According to statistics, such poisonings in dogs occur much more often than non-food poisonings. This type of intoxication occurs due to poisons and toxins entering the animal’s digestive system. The dog may pick up and eat any chemicals on the street (discarded medications, rat poison), or be poisoned by spoiled food;
• non-food. TO this species poisoning refers to poisons and toxins that enter the general bloodstream of the animal through the mucous membrane, respiratory tract or pores located on the skin. For example, if a toxic substance gets on a dog’s fur, which subsequently penetrates into the general bloodstream of the body, the animal will experience severe intoxication.

Causes of poisoning

According to statistics, about 85% of cases of dog poisoning are due to the fault of their owners. However, it is worth noting that dogs are less picky eaters than, for example, cats. For this reason, dogs eat almost everything that their owner gives them, and they are also not averse to tasting everything that comes their way during walks.

But let’s return to the causes of dog poisoning due to the negligence or inattention of the owners. So, an animal is most likely to be poisoned if the owner:

• feeds spoiled food. That is, he gives his pet food that he was going to throw away. The claim that a dog’s digestive system can “digest even nails” has long been debunked. If you give an animal missing food, the consequences can be dire - from mild food poisoning to death;
• careless about the organization of the diet, not taking into account that the dog is, first of all, a predator. So, if you feed an animal with meat without tripe for a long period of time, protein intoxication may occur;
• allows you to pick up and eat something from the ground while walking, as well as dig through trash heaps. It’s worth saying right away that if an animal tries to find and eat some food from the trash bin, it means that it is not fed enough or incorrectly at home (lack of useful minerals, nutrients and vitamins, depletion);
• leaves medications detergents and other chemicals within the dog’s reach;
• does not comply with the storage conditions for dog food, which leads to its spoilage. This also includes feeding the animal with cheap, low-quality feed of dubious production;
• gives the dog anti-worm medications, exceeding the permissible dosage;
• allows the dog that is walking around summer cottage, lick vegetables growing in beds and treated with pesticides. The fact is that vegetables are often treated with various chemicals containing poisons, for example, anabasine. Even one drop of this substance can lead to the death of the animal;
• does not ensure that the dog does not eat various plants that may be poisonous. Such plants include dope, henbane, and belladonna.

Symptoms of poisoning

To begin with, it is worth saying that obvious symptoms of poisoning in dogs appear 7 hours after the toxic substance enters the body. However, if the animal is poisoned with a potent toxic substance, for example, isoniazid or rat poison, the symptoms will be clearly visible after 3 hours.

Any type of poisoning in a dog can have a fairly large number of symptoms, which are very similar to the symptoms infectious diseases. Experts recommend not to hesitate, but to immediately contact a veterinary clinic.

Self-treatment of dogs for this disease is possible only if the owner knows exactly what substance the animal was poisoned with and only after consultation with a veterinarian. If you give your dog any medication without knowing the diagnosis, you can worsen the problem, causing the development of complications.

General symptoms characteristic of all types of poisoning

At the very beginning, when toxic substances had just begun their harmful effects on the body, the animal becomes apathetic and loses interest in everything that is happening around. There is also loss of appetite. The dog, as a rule, moves little and mostly lies down. After this, general weakness of the body sets in, which may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• loss of control over motor functions. The animal cannot coordinate its movements, which become chaotic;
• the presence of shallow (uneven, knocked down) breathing;
• change in color of the mucous membrane. It takes on a yellow tint. Such changes may occur due to exposure to certain toxic substances;
• profuse diarrhea;
• incessant thirst. The dog begins to absorb water in large quantities. Do not forget that this symptom is characteristic not only of poisoning, but also of some other diseases;
• frequent and profuse vomiting, including foamy vomiting;
• increased salivation;
• cough, hoarseness and shortness of breath;
• excessively lethargic or, conversely, overly excited. In some cases, a “manege” movement of the dog is observed when it begins to walk in a circle;
• involuntary urination;
• changes in heart rate (heart rate). The pulse may either increase or slow down;
• unpleasant odor coming from the mouth.

Specific signs of poisoning in dogs

The most severe intoxication of the body occurs if the dog is poisoned by such toxic substances as arsenic, heavy metals, rat poison, tuboside (isoniazid). In addition to the general symptoms that are inherent in food poisoning, in these situations the following manifestations occur:

• hypoglycemic coma. As a rule, it occurs 2-3 hours after intoxication. If you do not provide your dog with qualified veterinary care in time, it will most likely die;
• dehydration of the body;
• serious dysfunction of the cardiovascular system;
• trembling and severe convulsions, which, in the absence of proper veterinary care, can lead to complete paralysis;
• central nervous system disorders;
• bleeding from the nose and/or anus;
• presence of bruises on the body;
• change in color of the mucous membrane. It may become dark red, discolored, or blue (cyanosis). This symptom accompanies internal bleeding, as well as the presence of bruises on the animal’s body;
• involuntary bowel movements mixed with blood;
• presence of blood in the urine;
• foul odor from the mouth, reminiscent of garlic. This symptom refers to arsenic poisoning;
• repeated diarrhea;
• change in the reaction of the pupil to light. It can be either constantly expanded and not respond to light, or constantly narrowed even in dim lighting;
• violation of chemical and physical properties blood;
• acute renal failure.

It would also be useful to note that the severity of symptoms and the development of serious complications are the factors that distinguish acute intoxication of an animal’s body from ordinary food poisoning. The nature of the specific symptoms in most cases makes it possible to determine what kind of poison the animal was poisoned with.

Features of protein poisoning

This section will discuss the symptoms of poisoning caused by products rich in muscle protein(chicken, muscle meat, etc.). If a dog consumes such meat products in large quantities and over a long period of time, its digestion will at least be impaired. However, it can also lead to chronic poisoning.

It is worth understanding that the ideal meat product for dogs is tripe, which contains carbohydrates. The animal's diet should be enriched with at least small doses of carbohydrates.

This disease is quite easy to cure. You just need to adjust your dog's diet. The following symptoms are evidence of protein poisoning:

• local baldness. Mainly manifests itself in the area of ​​the withers, muzzle, and also in the tail;
• itching The animal systematically itches, sometimes tearing the skin until it bleeds;
• constant weight. The animal remains very thin, regardless of the quantity and quality of food consumed;
• change in the color and odor of urine. The color usually darkens and the smell becomes foul;
• peeling of the skin. This symptom can be detected by brushing the dog's fur;
• the coat becomes dull and harsh.

It is worth noting that the above symptoms appear weeks and sometimes months later. The fact is that protein accumulates in the body for a long time and only after that it will be possible to notice clear signs of this type of poisoning.

While waiting for emergency veterinary help, you need to try to determine what toxic substances your pet may have been poisoned with. As a rule, a dog always leaves “traces of a crime.” For example, if she ate medication, you will see a torn medication package.

• give adsorbent diluted in water;
• give an enema;
• forcefully induce vomiting by pouring into her mouth a weak solution of manganese, which can be replaced saline solution(10 g of salt per glass of water), kaolin, burnt magnesia, egg white, activated carbon or hydrogen peroxide solution (in a 1:1 ratio).

Carrying out the listed first aid measures for a dog will only make sense if the animal has an accident food poisoning. If toxins have entered the body through the skin or mucous membranes, the animal should be thoroughly bathed. warm water using soap or shampoo.

To neutralize the poison in the blood, it is recommended to give the dog plenty of fluids and a diuretic.

It would be a good idea to cover the dog warm blanket to make her calm down. Also, do not make noise or talk loudly.

Sometimes situations arise when a dog becomes poisoned through exposure to toxic fumes. The symptoms will be severe, and treatment in this case should only be carried out by a specialist. As first aid, you can immediately take the animal outside, or open the windows and ventilate the room well. For example, a dog that inhales gasoline or turpentine fumes may begin to vomit and have convulsions. To eliminate these symptoms, the animal should be given 20 ml of vegetable oil, and after 30 minutes a laxative.

If the dog's body has become intoxicated due to an insect bite, a cold compress, for example, ice wrapped in gauze, should be applied to the bite site. Under the influence of cold blood vessels will narrow, the development of edema will stop, and the degree of pain will decrease.

Important to know!

1. All measures to provide first aid must be carried out only if the dog is conscious.
2. Giving milk to a dog if it is poisoned is not recommended. The only exception is the situation when she was poisoned by heavy metals. Proteins present in milk have the ability to “bind” and remove heavy metals from the body.
3. If you are sure that the dog’s body is intoxicated due to exposure to petroleum products, do not induce vomiting under any circumstances. You shouldn't do anything at all. Wait for the doctor, or better yet, quickly take your pet to a veterinary clinic, where there are veterinarians of various specializations and the necessary equipment.
It would be useful to provide a table showing the most common toxic substances that can cause intoxication in a dog’s body. The table also describes symptoms and first aid measures.

Substance name	Symptoms	First aid
1. Aminazine	Drowsiness, convulsions, vomiting	Warm tea, laxative, saline solution orally
2. Iron sulfate	Moaning due to abdominal pain, diarrhea, black stool, vomiting	Laxative, egg white, milk, mucous decoction, soda solution
3. Arsenic	Profuse vomiting, discolored liquid stool, hoarseness, lethargy, convulsions	Added water citric acid or vinegar, warm milk
4. Ephedrine (adrenaline)	Pale mucous membranes, shortness of breath, trembling, pulse fluctuations (at first slow, then faster), palpitations	Warm blanket, heating pads around the body, oral dibazol and papaverine
5. Boric acid	Decreased temperature, possible appearance of a rash on the abdomen, poor cardiac activity, repeated vomiting	Burnt magnesia, warm milk, starch jelly
6. Nicotine	Lethargy, vomiting, increased salivation, slow pulse, trembling limbs, constricted pupils	Gastric lavage, laxatives, sorbent
7. Naphthalene	Trembling, thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, cyanosis of mucous membranes, involuntary defecation	Added water activated carbon or manganese, laxative

Treatment methods

If you did not have time or were afraid to perform any first aid procedures for your dog, the doctor will competently and promptly carry out the necessary procedures. Such procedures include:

• administration of an antidote (if the type of poison is known). For example, when poisoned by rat poison, a dog requires a drip of vitamin K;
• gastric lavage through a tube;
• drip water-salt solution. This will facilitate the rapid removal of toxins from the body;
• drip administration of the drug Trisol, as well as solutions such as ringer-locka and glucose.

When urgent measures to eliminate poisons from the animal’s body have been taken, the veterinarian may prescribe the following to the affected dog:

• plenty of warm drinks;
• taking diuretics, for example, furasemide;
• a gentle diet.

To begin with, it is worth noting that during the first 24 hours after intoxication, it is better not to feed the dog at all, but to give only water. It is also not recommended to introduce dairy products into the animal’s diet for some time.

On the second day, you can give the dog a little broth prepared from lean meats. It is permissible to add rice cereal to the broth. For a week, it is advisable to feed the animal with fortified and easily digestible food.

1. Do not use household chemicals to bathe your animal. For these purposes there are commercially available special means. When using them, strictly follow the instructions.
2. Hide medications and items in a safe place household chemicals so that the dog cannot reach them.
3. Before giving your dog vitamin complexes, consult your veterinarian. After all, uncontrolled consumption of vitamins can cause vitamin deficiency in an animal.
4. Buy only high-quality food and vitamins from popular manufacturers that have a positive, time-tested reputation. Check the shelf life of feed and vitamins, and follow their storage conditions.
5. Walk your pet in places where there are no garbage dumps or various carrions. If your dog likes to pick up things from the ground and taste everything, put a thick muzzle and a short leash on it. This way you can completely control the actions of the animal.
6. Feed your pet food enriched with minerals and vitamins. Then he will not feel a lack of any useful substances.

In conclusion, it must be said that all measures to provide first aid to a dog in case of poisoning should be taken quickly and decisively. After all, in such situations, every minute is precious, and we are talking about the health and life of your pet!

A pet is often seen as a member of the family. This is especially true for “man’s friends”—dogs. Therefore, the owner, seeing signs of poisoning in dogs, is seriously worried about the health of the animal.

Dogs have a digestive system very similar to humans. Therefore, there is always a risk of dog poisoning due to low-quality products or toxic substances. Moreover, such a nuisance is not very uncommon. The greatest danger to pet carry acute intoxications, which are characterized by severity and the likelihood of complications.

Classification of poisoning in dogs

There are cases when they try to poison a domestic or stray dog ​​deliberately. However, more often veterinarians are faced with unintentional intoxication, dividing dog poisoning into 2 types - non-food and food origin.

Non-food poisoning occurs due to strong poisons and toxins entering the animal’s body. Compounds hazardous to the pet’s health and life can enter the bloodstream through mucous membranes, skin pores and the respiratory tract.

Food intoxication is diagnosed by specialists much more often than poisoning. Food intoxication in a dog occurs due to the poor quality product it has eaten. In addition, the cause of such a diagnosis can be medications and other chemicals eaten by the dog.

Why do dogs become intoxicated?

According to data received from veterinarians, in the vast majority of cases of dog poisoning, it is the fault of its owner. But it is worth considering the peculiarity of these pets - they are not too picky about food than, for example, cats. Therefore, the risk of developing intoxication in dogs is always high, since they “test their teeth” on almost everything they come across at home and while walking.

In these cases, the inattention (and sometimes negligence) of the owner can cause poisoning in his dog:

1. Feeding stale food. Often dog owners give their pet scraps or, worse, spoiled food that they hate to throw away. This is quite convenient - the dish does not disappear, and the dog does not remain hungry. However, such neglect of the health of a four-legged pet can have disastrous consequences, ranging from mild indigestion to the death of the dog.
2. Selection of an unbalanced diet. Dog owners should not forget that these animals are, first and foremost, predators. If in the dog's food for a long time there will be no tripe with meat, protein intoxication may occur in his body.
3. Permission to grab and chew anything you want. Pets are often drawn to street trash, which they like to rummage through. In most cases, this indicates a lack of certain vitamins and microelements in the pet’s diet, which it tries to replenish in garbage dumps. Of course, you can’t let him do this, but it’s worth reconsidering your approach to feeding your pet.
4. Storage medicines, household chemicals, cosmetics within reach of animals.
5. Improper storage of dog food, as a result of which it spoils. It is also dangerous to feed your dog very cheap food, the quality of which is questionable.
6. Overdose when treating a dog with antihelminthic drugs.
7. Lack of proper control over the animal, which is why it may eat while walking poisonous plant, for example, henbane, datura, belladonna, etc.

This suggests the conclusion that the owner himself plays a huge role in ensuring the normal health of the dog. Therefore, in order to avoid tragedy, you should protect your pet from the temptation to eat something of poor quality or toxic. But if the owner made an oversight somewhere and the poison entered the animal’s body, what to do if the dog is poisoned?

What are the symptoms of poisoning in dogs?

Animals cannot verbally communicate their pain, discomfort or illness. But an attentive owner who loves his pet will always be able to see the first signs of intoxication.

It is immediately worth noting that clear clinical manifestations of the pathological process will manifest themselves 6-7 hours after the toxin enters the dog’s body. But if the toxic substance turns out to be potent (for example, rat poison), symptoms of dog poisoning will appear within 3 hours.

Intoxication with various substances often has similar symptoms to a number of infections affecting animals. Doctors advise that at the first sign of a problem, immediately contact a veterinary clinic. It is possible to treat the consequences of poisoning in a dog yourself at home only if the owner knows for sure what caused his pet’s poor health, and if the actions are agreed upon with a veterinarian. If you give an animal medicine at random, you can aggravate the problem and worsen the dog’s condition.

General symptoms of intoxication

From the moment a harmful substance enters the dog’s body, a sharp change in the animal’s behavior can be observed: apathy and loss of interest in what is happening around are typical. The dog does not want to eat, is inactive, lies almost all the time. After a few hours, the pet’s general malaise may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

1. Weakening of coordination of movements, the dog begins to move in a way that is not typical for it.
2. Breathing becomes rapid and shallow, shortness of breath appears.
3. Mucous membrane oral cavity changes its normal color and becomes yellowish. There is an unpleasant odor coming from the mouth.
4. The animal experiences severe diarrhea.
5. The dog is thirsty all the time.
6. Vomiting occurs, and foam may be present in the vomit.
7. The activity of the salivary glands is increased.
8. The dog has a hoarse cough.
9. The behavior of a dog when poisoned is strange: the animal is either very lethargic or hyperactive.
10. Loss of control over urination.
11. Faster or slower pulse.

All of the above symptoms of poisoning in dogs are often observed when the animal consumes low-quality or expired food products.

Poisoning with synthetic poisons

Symptoms of dog poisoning with arsenic, heavy metals, rat poison and other chemical toxins have some specificity. Non-food poisoning can manifest itself similarly to food poisoning, but sometimes its specific symptoms occur:

1. The onset of hypoglycemic coma in an animal several hours after the toxin enters the body. First aid is especially important in this case, otherwise the dog may die.
2. Disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
3. Muscle cramps, trembling of limbs, which can cause complete paralysis of the animal.
4. Malfunctions of the central nervous system.
5. Nose or anal bleeding.
6. The appearance of hematomas on the body for no apparent reason.
7. The oral mucosa may become blue, dark red, or, conversely, colorless.
8. Involuntary defecation with traces of blood.
9. Red blood cells in urine.
10. When arsenic poisoning occurs, a pungent garlic odor emanates from the dog's mouth.
11. There is no reaction of the pupils to light: they are either dilated or constricted all the time.

The more severe the symptoms of poisoning, the more acute the pathological process.

How does protein intoxication manifest?

The cause of protein poisoning is an excess of animal protein in a pet’s diet: poultry, cattle, etc. If a dog eats a lot of meat products for a long time, it faces, at the very least, indigestion. In the worst case, the animal will develop chronic intoxication.

An experienced dog lover knows that the best meat product for four-legged friends is tripe, as it is rich not only in proteins, but also in carbohydrates. The diet of animals, like humans, should contain required quantity all types of nutrients.

Protein poisoning is relatively easy to cure - you need to properly adjust the dog's diet. This should be done if you notice the following symptoms in your pet:

1. Excessive hair loss, mainly from the muzzle, withers and in the tail area.
2. The dog often itches, sometimes causing his skin to bleed.
3. The dog does not gain weight, despite abundant feeding.
4. The smell and color of urine changes: it becomes darker and has a sharp smell.
5. Peeling of the skin is observed when the owner combs the dog.
6. Wool loses its natural shine and becomes stiff.

With protein poisoning in dogs, symptoms develop weeks and months after the imbalance begins. Protein tends to accumulate in the animal’s body for a long time without any visible disturbances.

Rules for providing first aid to a dog in case of poisoning

The first and most important thing is to call an emergency veterinarian. If in your locality For some reason, it is impossible for a specialist to come to your home; you need to take your pet to a veterinary hospital as soon as possible.

Before the doctor arrives, you should try to understand what exactly caused the dog to be poisoned. This will greatly help the doctor determine how to treat a dog if it is poisoned, and will speed up the animal’s recovery process.

First aid for a dog with food or drug poisoning should include an attempt to remove the toxin from the body. To do this you can:

1. Give your pet water with adsorbent dissolved in it to drink.
2. Rinse the intestines with an enema.
3. Artificially induce vomiting by giving the dog water with salt (10 g per 1 glass of water), egg white or a solution of hydrogen peroxide in a 1:1 ratio.

If poison has entered the animal's body through skin pores or mucous membranes, the dog should be washed well using shampoo or soap in warm water. You can speed up the elimination of toxic substances by giving your dog a lot of water and a diuretic mixed into it.

If the cause of poisoning is a puppy or adult dog steel vapors of toxic compounds, the clinical picture will be pronounced. First of all, the animal must be brought to fresh air or at least ventilate the room well. So, when a dog inhales turpentine and gasoline fumes, it may experience vomiting and muscle cramps. In this case, help with poisoning before the arrival of specialists may consist of the dog drinking 20 ml of vegetable oil, after which half an hour he should be given a laxative. If intoxication is caused by heavy metals, the pet should be given milk.

An important point: treatment of a dog after poisoning before the arrival of emergency veterinary help is possible only when the animal is conscious. If you do not know what poison has entered the animal’s body, it is better not to take any action at all, but to immediately take the dog to a veterinary clinic.

Treatment of an animal after intoxication

A competent specialist, based on the clinical picture of the pathology, will correctly determine how to treat the dog. For this purpose, a number of procedures can be carried out:

1. If the poisoning agent has been clearly identified, an antidote is introduced into the animal’s body. For example, vitamin K is indicated for intoxication with rat poison.
2. Probing and gastric lavage.
3. Injection of a water-salt solution with a dropper, which will facilitate excretion harmful substances from the body of an animal. Glucose may also be given through an IV.

Pulmonologist, Therapist, Cardiologist, Functional Diagnostics Doctor. Doctor of the highest category. Work experience: 9 years. Graduated from Khabarovsk State Medical Institute, clinical residency in therapy. I am engaged in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases internal organs, I also conduct medical examinations. I treat respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system.

Original taken from kibalchish in St. Petersburg, a child was poisoned by “dog” poison, which was scattered by flayers

Dog owners whose pets had previously died from poison warned that children could also be poisoned.

St. Petersburg, November 24 ( New Region, Ekaterina Izotova) - The sad story of the mass poisoning of dogs in Nikolsky Square in St. Petersburg received an unpleasant continuation. A 12-year-old girl was poisoned by the poison that the flayers scattered around the square, reports Neva24.

The other day a girl was walking her dog in the park. She played with her pet, with fallen leaves that had poison on them. When the girl came home, she felt bad.

This was the last straw for residents of the Admiralteysky district of the city. People went out to a rally and wrote a letter to the Governor of St. Petersburg, Georgy Poltavchenko, as well as to the city prosecutor’s office, demanding to take action against the so-called “dog hunters” - those who hate dogs and dog walkers and scatter poison and poisoned treats throughout the streets and parks of St. Petersburg.

Let us remind you that on November 22, several dogs, both stray and domestic, died a painful death in Nikolsky Square. Among the victims of the flayers was the Labrador of the famous actor Yuri Galtsev. The actor said that the dog died shortly after it came from a walk. The veterinarians could not do anything: the poison is so strong that even just sniffing it is enough. The actor's family and his daughter were in a state of shock. Galtsev then stated that the worst thing is that children are walking in the park and can also be poisoned by the poison scattered here, from which dogs weighing 40 kg die.

A dog in the house is not just a pet. In most cases, she becomes a real member of the family, any illness of which is perceived very seriously. And dogs get sick not so rarely. A common disease condition in dogs is poisoning. What situations lead to intoxication, how to recognize the disease and, most importantly, how to help your pet without aggravating his condition?

The statistics are staggering, but out of a hundred cases of animal intoxication, in 87 the owner himself is found to be the culprit. This happens for various reasons:

• The owner does not provide proper supervision, allowing the pet to pick up food waste. Most often, dogs rummage through garbage in search of food due to hunger, malnutrition, lack of any vitamins, or not receiving food in due time. necessary training and education.
• Does not comply with the rules and regulations for storing food.
• It sends products of inadequate quality to the animal's food - with a "smell", expired, sour.
• Leaves household chemicals, fertilizers, and medications freely available.
• The diet is incorrectly composed, including a large amount of meat in the dog’s menu. This leads to the development of protein intoxication in the animal (read,).

Types of dog poisoning

There are two types of intoxication, differing in the method of penetration of toxic components into the body:

1. Food poisoning – toxic substances enter the animal’s body through the esophagus. This includes eating spoiled food, household chemicals, medications, etc. Sometimes, for severe poisoning, just licking the toxin from the fur is enough.
2. Non-food poisoning is the penetration of toxins through the skin or respiratory system. This type of intoxication includes bites poisonous insects, snakes, inhalation of harmful gases, fumes.

Signs and symptoms of poisoning in dogs

Diarrhea as a sign of poisoning

To provide first aid to your pet, it is necessary to promptly identify signs of poisoning. Obvious symptoms of intoxication are observed after an average of 7 hours. In case of poisoning with rat poison and other similar toxic substances, symptoms can be observed within 3 hours.

With gradual intoxication that slowly poisons the animal’s body, the disease can manifest itself weeks or even months later.

Most often, the gastrointestinal tract is the first to respond to poisons:

• the pet experiences hypersalivation (excessive salivation);
• the dog licks itself frequently;
• observed;
• mucous and bloody impurities may be detected in feces and vomit.

The respiratory system does not stand aside; the following symptoms of intoxication may be observed:

• rapid breathing;
• , wheezing;
• foam comes out of the nose;
• pulmonary edema (occurs at a late stage of poisoning).

The entry of toxins into the body leads to a disorder of the cardiovascular system; the signs of the disease can be extremely severe:

• heart rate increases;
• hypertensive manifestations (increased blood pressure) are observed;
• if intoxication occurs due to the use of animals or narcotic drugs, then bradycardia (sinus rhythm disturbance) may develop.

Such conditions often lead to cardiac arrest in a state of shock and death of the animal.

Intoxication may also affect nervous system, then poisoning is accompanied by the following conditions:

• lack of coordination - the dog staggers when walking and standing in one place; the pet tries to throw its head back;
• trembling throughout the body, convulsions, and tremor may be observed;
• possible loss of consciousness;
• in some cases, damage to the central nervous system leads to overexcitation of the animal, sudden aggression, and the pet may moan.

In case of poisoning, involuntary urination may occur, or the opposite situation may occur - anuria, that is, lack of urine. The latter is usually a sign of kidney failure.

In severe forms of intoxication, against the background of disrupted metabolic processes, a sharp decrease in body temperature is possible - hypothermia.

Poisoning with certain substances is accompanied by specific conditions. Rat poison causes multiple hemorrhages, isoniazid - foam from the mouth, confusion.

Chronic intoxication leads to itching and peeling of the skin. The skin and mucous membranes may change color. If these symptoms occur, it is recommended to undergo diagnostic testing in a clinical setting.

First aid for pet intoxication

Salt solution for poisoning

In case of poisoning, it is very important to provide first aid, since the poison begins to affect one system of the body after another, but incorrect actions can cause great harm. What to do if an animal is poisoned?

An important step in case of food poisoning is the removal of toxic substances from the body. You need to provoke the dog to vomit, for this you can give your pet something to drink warm solution salt (1 tablespoon per glass of water) or hydrogen peroxide (at a ratio of one to one).

For insect bites, cold is applied to the damaged tissue - a piece of ice or a compress. If poison gets on your pet's skin, you need to wash it off with water.

In case of intoxication with gases or vapors, it is important to take the dog away, into a room with possible ventilation, or outside. Turpentine or gasoline fumes can cause vomiting and seizures. In this case, it is necessary to pour 1-2 tablespoons of any vegetable oil into the animal’s mouth, and after 15-20 minutes give it.

Self-therapy in some cases

It is possible to cure a dog yourself if it is poisoned only in certain situations. To do this, you need to know the exact cause of intoxication and have some medical skills:

• Isoniazid poisoning. If a dog is poisoned with this anti-tuberculosis drug, then the first signs appear within the first half hour. The pet's coordination is impaired and convulsions are observed. In this case, intravenous injections of a 1% solution of pyridoxine (from 30 to 50 ml, depending on the weight category of the pet) are effective. If you cannot inject the medicine into a vein, you can give an injection into the muscle.
• Poisoning with rat poison. The main sign of intoxication with this toxin is the appearance of uncoagulated blood in the vomit, nose and mouth bleeding. It is important to administer vitamin K intramuscularly at the first sign. It helps eliminate blood clotting.
• Acids entering the gastrointestinal tract. When acids enter the stomach, it is undesirable to provoke vomiting. You should immediately rinse your mouth, nose, and tongue with plain water. In this case, you need to give your pet absorbent drugs and rinse the stomach.
• Arsenic poisoning. After first aid, treatment includes taking a mixture of a solution of magnesium oxide and ferric oxide sulfate. Every quarter of an hour the pet is given 50 ml of liquid. 3-4 techniques are enough.

If your pet is intoxicated, you can give:

• boiled flaxseeds;
• starch paste;
• raw egg white diluted with water.

Can be used as a laxative vegetable oils, Glauber's or Carlsbad salt.

Treatment of poisoning in the clinic

Naturally, a pet’s poor health is an important reason to visit a veterinary clinic. Here, experienced specialists will examine the sick animal. They will take a series of tests to identify the type of toxin and evaluate the dog’s condition. Only after this is adequate treatment prescribed, including various measures:

• gastric lavage;
• enemas that cleanse the intestines;
• administering a suitable antidote;
• the use of diuretics that promote rapid elimination poisons from the body;
• medicinal procedures that support vital organs - kidneys, liver, heart muscle;
• normalization of breathing;
• relieving seizures using special medications;
• use – relevant for intoxication of infectious origin.

Pet's diet after poisoning

After therapeutic treatment, your pet will need some time to recover. During this period, it is very important to monitor the dog’s nutrition, having previously adjusted the diet. The menu must include the following products:

• cottage cheese;
• boiled eggs;
• boiled liver and lean meat.

If your pet refuses to eat at first, you should not insist. At this time, it is necessary to provide the dog with plenty of fresh water. You should start feeding your dog in small portions, including in the diet foods and foods that are well absorbed by the body.

When getting a pet, it is worth remembering that all responsibility for its health and well-being falls on the shoulders of the owner. This means that it is necessary to prevent such cases of poisoning by removing potential toxic substances away from the pet.

An occupational therapist talks about a common and dangerous problem faced by parents of children with autism.

Our son is 17 years old. He has been diagnosed with autism and developmental delays. Lately he has started chewing his shirt collar, he also chews and sometimes swallows pen caps, erasers, and all sorts of paper. Sometimes I find objects at home with marks from his teeth. Why is this happening?

Occupational therapist Moira Pena of Holland-Bloorview Children's Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, Canada, answers the question.

Thanks for your question. Your family is far from alone in this problem. Chewing objects may be a form of repetitive behavior in autism. Swallowing inedible objects is called pica. Both phenomena are very common in people with autism.

Rule out medical problems

In rare cases, pica may be caused by a nutritional deficiency. Pica can also be caused by serious medical problems such as lead poisoning. It is very important that you tell the doctor that your son has started eating non-food items and get a medical examination.

The answer to the question "why"

Any plan for dealing with problem behavior begins with a detective investigation into the possible cause of the behavior. Let's look at three possible reasons why your son has developed this new habit: coping with strong emotions, receiving sensory stimulation, and seeking attention.

Could this be anxiety?

We know that anxiety is particularly common in children and adolescents with autism. Some studies suggest that about 40% of children with autism suffer from an anxiety disorder.

In my practice, I often see children and adolescents who begin to chew inedible objects because they have difficulty coping with feelings of anxiety or irritation. Here are some questions to answer, ideally with a child psychologist who has experience in the field of autism:

— Does your son start chewing his shirt and other objects more often in situations that are associated with stress for him? For example, when should you leave home to go to school or do homework?

Does he seem upset when he chews on foreign objects?

— Have there been changes in your son’s life recently that could have increased his overall level of anxiety?

Is it sensory stimulation?

Sensory issues are also very common in both children and adults on the autism spectrum. Sometimes this leads to seeking out certain sensory sensations, such as chewing on objects or clothing.

In your son's case, the following signs may indicate such sensory seeking:

- he finds it difficult to keep his hands to himself

- has difficulty sitting still (hyperactivity)

- he is attracted to strong smells

- he constantly seeks visual stimulation (may be expressed as joy from visual stimulation, such as a merry-go-round, fans on, or bright lights)

Another sign that non-food eating may be caused by sensory seeking is his son's mood changes during this behavior. Does he seem happy rather than anxious when he chews on his shirt? If so, then chewing is a method of self-soothing for him.

Is this attention seeking?

I remember working with a family where a teenager with autism began swallowing large batteries. After keeping records of the behavior, it became apparent that he only did this at school in the morning. When I discussed this with the boy, he admitted that this was his way of avoiding school and spending the day at the hospital, where his parents would be with him.

Each of us has one behavior or another to attract the attention of other people. It is important to remember that for people with communication difficulties - one of the core symptoms of autism - these behaviors express a need for communication that they cannot otherwise satisfy.

What now? Strategies to reduce chewing and swallowing of inedible objects

I am not a behavioral therapist, but in my experience as an occupational therapist, the following general strategies may be helpful for families where a child chews and/or swallows inappropriate objects:

Track when this happens

This will help determine when your child is most likely to begin chewing and/or swallowing objects. This will allow you to effectively prevent behavior by redirecting it to something else.

You can use a journal to identify factors that trigger this behavior. For example, this could be a phrase that it’s time to get ready for school, or visible fatigue.

Identifying what is causing the behavior will allow you to change environment properly. For example, if your son chews on clothes and other items when he's getting ready for school, you can prevent this behavior by distracting him with his favorite music or game at that time. This switching to something else is a very important tool in the fight against bad habits and other problematic behavior.

Changes in the environment

Does your son look for chew items in a specific place, such as a specific closet? Lock him up. It’s better to rearrange the contents so that he doesn’t see it and can’t get it.

If you think he starts chewing on things when he's bored, try to spice things up. Play background music or add colorful posters and other visual stimuli to the room. On the other hand, a room that is “too busy” can cause anxiety in some people with autism. If this applies to your son, then try to create a quiet, visually subdued environment.

In my experience, small changes in the environment often attract attention, which reduces the impulse to address the problem behavior. Experiment to see what works for your child.

Helping your child communicate

What if you suspect your son's behavior is a way to get your attention? In the case I described above with the battery swallowing, we developed a visual schedule for the week. In it, we scheduled regular “together” time with the parents where they would play together, go on walks, and do activities together.

Try using a traffic light as a visual way for your child to communicate increasing discomfort (yellow light) or an anxious need to chew or swallow something (red light).

We also made a picture of a traffic light for this boy and his parents to make it easier for him to communicate his needs to his parents in a constructive way. He learned to point to a red light when he had the urge to find and swallow a battery. This was a signal that his parents needed to take a few minutes to do something with him that would calm him down. (What he liked most was jumping on the trampoline).

It was even better when the boy pointed at yellow in situations where he felt uncomfortable. Then his parents could switch him to favorite activity or something else.

Recently, portable stress monitors have been developed that respond to increased heart rate and other symptoms. It could be like free apps for the phone, as well as special devices costing several hundred dollars. They can proactively prevent problem behavior that is caused by extreme stress, but not every child or teen will agree to wear them.

It is also helpful to develop a reward system for the child refraining from problem behavior. In the case of the boy who swallowed batteries, his parents began giving him a daily reward if he didn't do it. We then gradually made positive reinforcement more and more rare.

Dealing with sensory needs

Occupational therapists like me are trained to work with children who have sensory processing disorders, including chewing and swallowing of non-edible objects associated with sensory issues. Again, best individual approach, developed by a specialist specifically for your child, but there are some general strategies:

Highly stimulating food

Introduce your son to a variety of foods that provide the most sensory stimulation during chewing, such as those that are crunchy, chewy, or chewy. This could be fresh carrots, dried fruit, granola bars or licorice sticks.

Another way to get appropriate sensory stimulation in the mouth: Have him drink thick drinks through a straw. It could be applesauce, yogurt, milkshake and so on.

Sensory chew toys

Another option is chew toys. For example, these could be special tubes, sticks or pendants for chewing. They are made in such a way that they cannot be chewed or swallowed. However, I recommend using them only under supervision. I also recommend ordering only toys from American or Canadian manufacturers, as other countries may use unsafe materials and manufacturing methods.

The Sensory Diet Approach

We need a variety of foods in our diet, and a sensory seeker needs two or three substantial sensory meals as well as a few sensory snacks throughout the day. We call this a "sensory diet." It includes a variety of sensory activities that can balance your mood and increase alertness.

A sensory diet may include: modeling clay, finger painting, jumping, running, and so on. Find something your child likes.

Add Deep Pressure to Your Sensory Diet

Research shows that occupational therapy techniques such as deep pressure (proprioceptive stimulation) have a calming effect on the mind and body. If chewing non-food items is associated with anxiety, then applying deep pressure throughout the day will help him stay calm.

Some options include:

- trampoline jumping (subject to necessary measures security)

— stimulation of the oral cavity with an electric brush

- activities that involve pushing, pulling, or lifting something, such as wrestling or tug-of-war

Continue to keep a journal of your son's behavior for a few weeks to see if any of these strategies help reduce chewing.

Remember that any behavior can be explained by both behavioral and sensory problems. Ideally, the behavior analyst and occupational therapist will work together to develop an interdisciplinary approach to solving the problem.

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