Dogs | Household Toxins and Hazards | Evidence chain

FAQ

How much chocolate does it take to poison a dog?

This chapter deliberately lists no "how much causes poisoning" numbers, for two reasons: lethal doses vary enormously with body weight, breed, product concentration and individual differences; and any "not yet a toxic dose" judgment must be made by a veterinarian, not by an owner working from numbers found online. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is; signs of poisoning include restlessness, panting, vomiting, a fast heart rate with arrhythmia, and seizures. As soon as you find out, call first.

Which plants at home are most dangerous to dogs?

Sago palm is toxic in every part, the seeds most of all; it causes acute liver failure with a high fatality rate, and households with dogs are advised to remove it outright. Also watch the cardiotoxic group — oleander, lily of the valley, foxglove, Christmas rose — as well as azalea, autumn crocus, flower bulbs and castor beans, and the plants that cause oral burning and swelling, such as pothos, peace lily and caladium. Outdoors, avoid wild mushrooms, and in summer keep dogs away from water with green algal bloom floating on it.

I can see a string coming out of my dog's mouth or anus — can I pull it out?

Do not pull it under any circumstances. A linear foreign body cinches the intestine into an accordion and saws through it; whether the string shows at the mouth or the anus, it must not be pulled — go to the vet immediately. Thread and needles, stockings, hair ties, ribbon, tinsel, mop strands and earphone cords all belong to this category; from the outside they often look completely unremarkable, yet they are among the most insidious foreign bodies.