Sykesville Veterinary Clinic

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Dog Safety: What is Toxic to Dogs?

Dogs are loyal and amazing animals which is one of the many reasons why dogs are man’s best friend. Dogs are therapeutic and can help in stress reduction. This is why they often visit places such as nursing homes, hospices, and hospitals. They also provide you with company and companionship; you can never be lonely as long as you have a dog. One thing you should, however, keep in mind is that having a dog is not cheap as research has established that the ideal expenditure on a puppy during the first year should be around $2,000 and $6,000. As a dog owner, it is important to know about the potential for your pet being poisoned by things around your house.

Pet poisoning is very common with over 100,000 cases being reported annually. The following are some common items that might poison your dog:

  1. Insecticides: Products that are meant to get rid of ticks and flees are very poisonous if ingested by your dog. When you notice such an occurrence you should take your dog to the nearest veterinary hospital immediately so that the vet can check your pet and decide on the best way to move forward depending on the type of insecticide ingested. They can choose to flush out your dog’s stomach in order to remove the chemicals or to give your dog activated charcoal which will prevent the absorption of the insecticide.
  2. Your prescription medication: You should be very careful as medications such as antidepressants, pain relievers, and blood pressure drugs can do a lot of damage to your dog if ingested. Rushing your dog to a veterinary hospital as soon as you know about the ingestion can save your pet’s life. A vet clinic will also provide your dog with a safe and quiet place for recovery.
  3. Household products: Household products such as fire logs, paint thinners, antifreeze, chocolate, gum, and cleaners such as bleach and dishwashing detergents are toxic to dogs. The best course of action for your dog if they ingest any of the above products is to take him or her to a veterinary hospital as soon as possible.

Those living in Sykesville, Maryland, can take their dogs to Sykesville Veterinary Clinic where they will find seasoned veterinary doctors who will take care of their pets.