Save Your Pet From Poisoning

Save Your Pet From Poisoning

   Your dog or cat may simply be poisoned by things that you just have round the house. though you would possibly not consider chocolate, paracetamol or lilies as being toxic – they’ll indeed be deadly to the one you love pet. 
   According to the Vet Poisons info service, it’s quite common for a pet to be poisoned in their house. Some common substances that are toxic to pets include: 


   Vermin poison: you would possibly be making an attempt to urge rid of unwanted rodents or slugs, however these chemicals will cause excessive internal bruising or bleeding in your pet if ingested. the consequences may not be immediately obvious, however the results are terribly serious. 


   Paracetamol: this drug would possibly relieve you of a headache, however animals are terribly sensitive to paracetamol and even atiny low quantity may be extraordinarily harmful. Ibuprofen is additionally notably dangerous to dogs and may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, gastric ulceration and kidney failure. 


   Chocolate: we tend to all love somewhat of chocolate, however this sweet treat contains theobromine, a chemical terribly just like caffeine, that isn’t sensible for your pet to eat. Dark chocolate is extremely high in theobromine and even atiny low piece may cause tremors, convulsions and heart issues for your pet. 


   Lilies: these lovely flowers are terribly toxic to cats and may cause kidney failure. the entire plant is toxic, and even a quick exposure to the pollen may be doubtless terribly dangerous to a cat. 


   Grapes, raisins and sultanas: these dried fruits style nice on cereal. you would possibly not assume twice if one dropped on the ground and your dog had to a small degree nibble. However, grapes, raisins and sultanas will cause kidney failure in dogs. Not all dogs are sensitive to the present food, however it’s higher to not take a risk. 


   Sweeteners: artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, are utilized in sugar-free chewing gums and sweets and are extraordinarily harmful to dogs. though you will have a sweet tooth, if your dog ingests xylitol, it will cause low blood sugar and liver injury. 


   If you think that your pet has been poisoned, you must contact your native veterinary apply immediately. Time is of the essence! Take a sample of the substance ingested to relinquish to your vet, as this can facilitate them assess and treat your animal. If you’ve got pet insurance, you won’t have to be compelled to worry concerning vet’s bills either. Some insurers can cowl you for up to £7,000 in a very year if your pet becomes unwell or has an accident. You won’t even need to be out of pocket if your pet falls unwell, as some insurers can pay your vet directly, provided they’re started to receive payments. 
   Rather than a visit to the vets, however keep your pet out of harms method and make certain they only eat what they’re purported to.

How To Save Your Dog

During the rainy season, the Department of Health fervently posts precautions against Leptospirosis.

Wikipedia defines Leptospirosis  as a disease known to cause heating up and causing redness of the hands. Caused by infection with bacteria of the genus Leptospira that affects humans  as well as other mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. 

The infection is commonly transmitted to humans by allowing water that has been contaminated by animal urine to come in contact with unhealed breaks in the skin, eyes, or with the mucuous membranes. Complications include meningitis,  extreme fatigue, hearing loss, respiratory distress, azotemia, and renal interstitial tubular necrosis, which results in renal failure and often liver failure.

In short, if you wade in dirty water, there is a possibility that YOU.WILL.DIE.

Last week our dear old Pug, Petunia, passed away from liver and kidney failure.  After the vet did a complete blood test, he said she had been suffering from leptospirosis for months. Unfortunately, the strain that Petunia caught was the type that did not show any symptoms and it was too late to do anything for her.

How can you tell if your dog has been infected?

• The first signs in dogs are often depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, and generalized pain.

• Affected dogs may also drink water and urinate excessively and have swollen, red, and painful eyes.

• Because these signs are common to other diseases and non-specific, owners may try to treat their pets at home for such problems as an upset stomach or arthritis.

• Pets can become infected by sniffing, swimming, or drinking contaminated urine. More often, the leptospira are washed by rain into standing water.  The bacteria can also enter through a bite wound or through eating infected food.

• Leptospira produces powerful toxins that can attack the liver and kidneys, leading to failure of these organs.  In other pets, blood fails to clot normally leading to bleeding.

To make sure the other dogs didn’t have it.  He did a blood test only to find out that one of the pugs, Petunia’s daughter named Maggie, also had it.

It didn’t really come as a surprise since Maggie was very close to her mother. So close that they always slept and even sunbathed side by side.

Last I spoke to the vet, Maggie was managing well and is under medication although she had to be isolated from the other dogs so that they won’t be infected. When I visited her area last Sunday, she was very weak, her eyes were yellow and her stomach had this pale beige tone but she still wagged her tail several times.

It’d suck if another dog of ours died so it’s best to keep in mind several things to avoid this every happening to your pets.

What to Do

• Regularly disinfect the area where your pet usually stays. Use a pet-friendly cleaning agent lest they decide to lick the spot you had just cleaned.

• If your dog is already infected, make it drink sugar water to replenish lost electrolytes (at least that’s what we’re doing now)

• Sure, we want our pet to be comfortable but avoid using a towel or newspaper as its bed. If your pet urinates, it might lick it and recovery might be slower than usual.

• Religiously give your pet the medicine as prescribed by the vet. If you pet refuses to eat, you can buy a tube of Nutrivet, a pasty food substitute that you can rub on its teeth.

• Wear gloves or wash your hands immediately after touching your pet. The virus can transfer to humans if proper precaution is not observed.

• Because urine is the most common spreader of leptospirosis, it is very important that you take hygienic steps not to expose yourself to your pet’s urine.

• Recovered pets can shed leptospirosis in their urine for months, you need to continue to observe strict hygiene even after your pet has recovered.