If the hydrogen peroxide is unsuccessful, tell your veterinarian that you are on your way. Do not use anything stronger than hydrogen peroxide without your veterinarian's advice. This method should only be used if the drug has been ingested within the previous hour, and should only be given once unless under the direction of your veterinarian.Ĭall your veterinarian immediately after inducing vomiting to ask about follow-up care, which is likely to include an immediate trip to the clinic. If you are unsure, contact your veterinarian before proceeding.īut if your dog has overdosed on veterinary medications or human OTC or prescription drugs, try to induce vomiting with a simple hydrogen peroxide solution of 1 teaspoon per 5 pounds of body weight (approximately 1 ounce for a small to medium-size dog, and up to 3 ounces for a giant breed dog). Do NOT induce vomiting if your dog ingested liquid household cleaners or other chemicals, as this may cause further damage. Most importantly, do NOT induce vomiting if your dog is unconscious, is having trouble breathing, or is exhibiting signs of serious distress or shock. Some drugs will affect the body quickly while others are more slow-acting, and this initial blood sample will act as a baseline to monitor progression or improvement.ĭiagnosis and treatment will be wholly dependent on the symptoms and information you are able to give to your veterinarian, as well as your dog's current behavior and the results from any tests your veterinarian conducts. She is also likely to recommend blood tests. Your veterinarian will perform a comprehensive physical exam on your dog, taking into account their health history and the onset of symptoms.
You will need to give a thorough history of your dog's health and recent activities. Your veterinarian is not there to judge you she just wants to know what your dog got ahold of so that she can treat him properly.Ĭonsumption of human drugs including but not limited to:
Even if you are not entirely sure how much of the drug was ingested, your pet's doctor will have a point from which to begin treatment.īring any information you can with you to the veterinarian, such as the pill or liquid drug container, and any pills that you can find. The most useful information you can give your veterinarian is what type of drug was ingested by your pet. If the drug was liquid, it will be more difficult to differentiate the liquid drug from the rest of the content in the vomit. If your pet has begun vomiting before the entire pill or capsule has been digested, you may find whole pills, or the undigested exterior of a capsule. If you suspect your dog has had access to drugs, you will typically find evidence, whether it is an empty container or a box that has been torn apart, though you may need to look in your dog’s favorite hiding spots. Because animals do not have the natural enzymes necessary for detoxifying and eliminating drugs made for humans, medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are a major cause of dog poisoning. Incorrect dosages will often result in overdosing and drug poisoning.Įven as little as one dose of an acetaminophen (Tylenol®) pain reliever can cause severe organ damage in a medium-size dog. Additionally, what is not taken into account is that the same drug dose given to a human cannot be given to an animal. Many over-the-counter and prescription medications used for people are toxic to dogs. If these medications are kept in an accessible place, a pet will quickly and easily consume them.īesides veterinary pills, the other common factor in drug poisoning is the administration of over-the-counter drugs by a dog owner without prior consultation from a veterinarian. Prescription pet medication is easily overconsumed by dogs, since it is usually flavored to make it more appealing and easier to swallow. In cases of dog poisoning, the most common cause is unintentional overdosing of medications.
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