First Aid for Dog Poisoning from Household Products

For puppies that don't understand danger and are full of curiosity, a seemingly safe home can be full of hidden hazards. When leaving a puppy home alone, don't underestimate its ability to rummage through everything. Be sure to properly store away all items that pose a threat to it, such as toxic items, electrified items, things that can't be digested if swallowed, and sharp or heavy objects. The following common household toxic substances require extra vigilance:

Alkaline detergents: dogs may accidentally knock them over and become poisoned, showing symptoms of skin burns; do not induce vomiting during rescue.

Solvents or thinners: the owner mistakenly uses them to wash paint off the dog, harming the puppy, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and possibly spasms and tongue ulcers. The fur can be washed clean with soap and water, and the dog should be taken to the hospital immediately for emergency treatment.

Antifreeze: antifreeze leaking from a car radiator has a smell that dogs like; after poisoning, the dog walks unsteadily, becomes weak, has spasms and goes into a coma. A small amount of edible baking soda water can be used to induce vomiting; because it may be fatal, the dog should be taken to the hospital immediately.

Aspirin: after scavenging or being mistakenly given this drug by the owner, the dog will have loss of appetite, depression, vomiting (possibly with blood), and spasms. After inducing vomiting, take it to the hospital; if a large dose is ingested, the toxicity will be very high.

Antidepressants or sedatives: after scavenging or being mistakenly given these drugs by the owner, the dog shows symptoms such as depression, unsteady walking, lack of coordination, and coma. If they were just ingested, induce vomiting immediately and take the dog to the hospital.

Marijuana: after scavenging marijuana, a dog shows symptoms such as lack of coordination, fear, excitement, biting people, and dilated pupils. At this time, avoid stimulating it and follow the veterinarian's advice to give sedatives.

Carbon monoxide: after carbon monoxide poisoning in dogs caused by car exhaust, misuse of gas, or indoor bathing, the gums appear cherry red, and the dog sways and loses consciousness. Let it breathe fresh air and perform artificial respiration as emergency first aid.

Chlorine: after scavenging chlorine-containing water purification agents by a pool (ordinary pool water disinfected with bleaching powder is harmless), the dog's eyes and mouth will turn red. Clean water or salt water can be used to wash the eyes and mouth to counteract the poison.

Liquid cleaners: if a dog accidentally drinks a solution used for washing, after poisoning it foams at the mouth or bubbles appear in the mouth; simply wash the mouth with clean water.

Insect repellents: after accidental ingestion by a dog, symptoms include excitement, convulsions, restlessness, drooling, spasms, and coma, and it may be fatal; if there are no spasms, wash with water as much as possible; if spasms occur, avoid light and take the dog to the hospital immediately.

Flea killers: after poisoning from flea killers containing organophosphates, shampoos, residual chemicals on clothing, and old-style insecticide devices, the dog has muscle twitching, drooling, difficulty breathing, and increased urination and defecation. After careful washing, take it to the hospital immediately.

Kerosene: accidental ingestion of kerosene contained in heating systems or cleaning agents causes abdominal discomfort in dogs. At this time, do not induce vomiting; feed a mixture of milk and vegetable oil, then follow the veterinarian's advice to give a laxative.

Tobacco: tobacco poisoning caused by scavenging cigarettes; if it causes vomiting, activated charcoal tablets can be used to relieve the discomfort.

Lead: old paint, water pipes, fishing sinkers, solder, linoleum, and certain lubricants can all cause this. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nervousness, fear of light, crying out, and unsteady walking. After inducing vomiting, take the dog to the hospital immediately.

Warfarin: this is an anticoagulant used by heart patients and is also used in rat poison. After poisoning, bruising and bleeding gums appear, and it can be fatal. Vomiting should be induced, and vitamin K should be injected to stop the bleeding.

Phenol wood preservatives: certain fungicides, disinfectants, and photographic developers can also cause this type of poisoning. After poisoning, the dog sways, has spasms, becomes depressed, and goes into a coma. When counteracting the poison, do not induce vomiting; feed milk and vegetable oil, then give a laxative and take the dog to the hospital. Note: do not use disinfectants on dogs unless the product specifically states that it is safe for dogs.

Snail bait: the metaldehyde contained in bait for killing snails and slugs can give off a smell that dogs like. After poisoning, the dog trembles, drools, has spasms, and goes into a coma, and it may be fatal. If it was just eaten, induce vomiting immediately and take the dog to the hospital.

Strychnine: insecticides can cause this type of poisoning. Symptoms include depression, tension, rigidity, spasms, and even death. After inducing vomiting, take the dog to the hospital immediately, and bring the suspected item to the hospital as well.

Special reminder! After accidental ingestion of the following items, never induce vomiting: caustic soda, toilet bowl cleaner, dishwashing detergent, kerosene, alkali, paint thinner, furniture/floor/leather polish, wood preservatives, bleaching powder, water pipe cleaner, concentrated washing powder, oven cleaner, and gasoline.