How to prevent accidental poisonings

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For parents of small children, using caution when handling and storing potentially poisonous substances becomes second nature. After all, you don't want your little ones eating or drinking something that could make them sick.

The same should be true of your dog. There are a number of different types of poisonous substances that your dog can get into. Unattended items such as food, alcohol and tobacco products can become a serious health hazard for your pet. Dog-proofing your house should be just as critical as childproofing, since this is an important step in keeping the furry member of your family healthy and happy as well.

Common dangers

Outdoor items like pesticides are a common threat that can become a severe problem if your dog comes in contact with them. Organophosphates such as diazinon and fenthion, and carbamates such as carbaryl and propoxur can be found in flea and tick repellents, as well as in a number of pesticides that are commonly used on lawns and gardens.

If your dog consumes any of these neurological poisons, you may see symptoms like excessive elimination and salivation, diarrhea, vomiting, apprehension, and pinpoint pupils. Consuming larger amounts of these substances can lead to sudden death. This is why it is so important to keep all pesticides out of the reach of your dog, and keep him inside whenever you use these types of products.

Another type of neurological poison comes from the family of pyrethrins or pyrethroids, depending on whether the substance is natural or synthetic in nature. These ingredients are often found in insecticidal shampoos and dips, so use caution when treating conditions like fleas in your dog. You can also find these compounds in some home and garden products, and they go by names like resmethrin, permethrin and allethrin.

If your dog gets into any of these substances, the signs are similar to organophosphate poisoning, but can also include tremors, depression, or extreme excitability.

Rodent poisons are another commonly used substance that can be a danger to dogs. D-Con, a popular poison, contains coumarin, which interferes with blood clotting. When mice eat the poison, they basically bleed to death, but the same thing can happen to your dog if he gets into it. Your dog will show symptoms like bloody urine or stools, nosebleeds, anorexia, or labored breathing. Another sign is pinpoint hemorrhaging on the gums. Symptoms can vary based on how much of the product  [Continued]

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