Dog poisoning symptoms and emergency steps

Gastrointestinal Abnormalities

When pets accidentally ingest poisonous substances, the digestive system often signals an alarm first. Last month, the golden retriever next door experienced severe vomiting within half an hour after ingesting laundry detergent. This physiological rejection response may be accompanied by diarrhea and loss of appetite; special attention should be paid to whether the pet shows symptoms of dehydration during this time.

A representative case seen at the pet hospital last week involved a corgi that stole half a piece of dark chocolate; first, it vomited three times, then completely refused to eat. Such a sudden change in appetite is often a distress signal from the body. Especially if a normally greedy dog suddenly refuses food, owners must not take it lightly.

In more severe cases, there may be abdominal swelling; some dogs will walk with their backs arched or refuse to let the owner touch their belly. I remember last year a Samoyed that ingested rat poison not only vomited continuously but also showed symptoms of bloody diarrhea; this situation required immediate medical attention.

Signs of Neurological Damage

When toxins invade the nervous system, the symptoms can become more dangerous. The poodle at my cousin's house ingested lily pollen and initially walked in a wobbly manner, then started spinning and attacking the air. Such abnormal behavior often indicates that the toxin has affected the central nervous system and must be addressed immediately.

Some insecticide poisoning can cause muscle tremors, similar to the shaking experienced during an electric shock. During pet first aid training last year, the instructor emphasized: If pets show involuntary shaking or eye tremors, immediately record the duration and frequency of the episode; this information is crucial for subsequent treatment.

The most dangerous situation is sudden seizures, often seen in antifreeze poisoning. There was a case where a husky licked liquid from the garage floor and experienced full-body tonic-clonic seizures within ten minutes; immediate wrapping in a blanket to prevent self-injury and rapid transportation to the hospital were necessary.

Cardiovascular Alarm

Some toxins silently attack the circulatory system. The Pomeranian of my neighbor ingested antihypertensive medication; although it seemed normal on the surface, monitoring revealed a heart rate drop to 40 beats per minute. This hidden crisis requires careful observation from the owner.

The color of the gums is the most direct observation window. Healthy gums should be moist and light pink, while grayish-white or bluish-purple indicates problems with blood oxygen supply. A thumb can be pressed against the gums to test capillary refill time, which should return to normal color within 2 seconds.

Abnormal breathing patterns are also worth noting. Last month a shiba inu that ingested onions appeared generally fine, but its breathing rate reached 60 breaths per minute, and post-examination revealed a hemolytic reaction. The owner noticed it was gasping as if it had just run a marathon and sought medical attention in time.