Accidents in Your Home
Most accidents occur at home!
Keep all cleaning and garden chemicals
safely shut away, and keep your dog out of the
way when you are using them. Be especially careful with slug
pellets and firelighters,
as the chemical in these is highly toxic. Antifreeze and de-icer
fluids taste sweet, but are
also poisonous. Rat poison is obviously dangerous – and
eating dead poisoned rats is
another way of swallowing it. Many rat poisons are color
coded. If you know the color
of the bait or have the packaging available, tell the vet.
Seek advice even if your pet
seems unharmed, as the effects are often not immediate.
As with people, dogs are vulnerable to carbon monoxide
poisoning. This colorless,
odorless gas is present in car exhaust and the fumes of
incorrectly maintained
fuel-fired heaters. If your dog sleeps next to the boiler,
make sure it is regularly serviced.
You can buy carbon monoxide detectors from hardware stores.
Signs of poisoning
include drowsiness, lethargy and weakness. Remove the
patient to fresh air immediately
and then straight to the vet. Dogs can also
suffer from smoke inhalation in house fires. Animals rescued
from burning
buildings should be taken to the vet for an immediate
check-up. During and after parties be aware
that alcohol and cigarette butts (or illegal drugs) may
harm your dog. If there are fireworks, it is not just the
flashes and bangs that you should
keep your pet away from; fireworks are poisonous if chewed.
Always read the label before you give your pet any
medicines. Never give your
dog human medicines and put them away from reach so they are
not chewed.
Painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol are
particularly dangerous. Vitamin and
mineral supplements can also be dangerous, particularly iron
tablets and products
containing zinc.
In Your Home Continued... |
