What to do in pet poisoning incidents
A street in Wierdapark was recently hit by a series of dog poisonings in which six dogs were killed and five others needed urgent veterinary care.
Residents are urged to familiarise themselves with life-saving measures they can take to protect their pets if poisoned.
Six dogs were killed and five had to be taken for emergency care fighting for their lives after a recent devastating spate of dog poisonings in Wierdapark.
On Saturday, March 2, five homes in one Wierdapark street were attacked in a series of dog poisonings using laced meat.
Bakenkop Animal Clinic spokesperson Cindy du Preez wants pet parents to know first and foremost that the most important thing to do is to get their pet to the vet.
“A poisoning is a big emergency, get your pet to the vet as soon as possible,” she said.
“Even if you administer activated charcoal or a product like Duotox, your pet needs to be monitored and assessed by a vet to be sure it is okay,” she told Rekord.
Dr Tyla Mitchison, a vet at the clinic, provided the following common symptoms of poisoning that all pet owners should know:
– Sudden severe diarrhoea which is often bloody
– Sudden severe vomiting, often bloody
– Drooling
– Cramping
– Weakness
– Tearing
– Struggling for breath
– Slow heart rate
– Muscle tremors, shaking
– Wobbling or difficulty walking
– Seizures
– Dilated pupils
– Respiratory paralysis
– Difficulty swallowing
– Respiratory failure
Mitchison said the popular poisons used to lace foods then thrown on to gardens for pets to eat, are common insecticides.
She said sometimes unknown poisons may be mixed in to cause more severe effects and uncommon symptoms.
These poisons can be dangerous, as they can sometimes also be absorbed through the skin.
Immediate action to take if you suspect your dog has been poisoned:
– Seizures: place your pet on its side on a soft, open surface (protect the head).
– Take your pet immediately to the vet for treatment.
What not to do:
– Do not put your hand in the pet’s mouth.
– Do not handle saliva, vomit or diarrhoea without gloves on.
– Do not cause your pet to drink milk or ingest raw egg.
– Do not give any oral medicines – poisoning can cause an inability to swallow and loss of consciousness, which may cause your pet to choke and die.
– Do not make your pet vomit.
However, she said that if the pet owner cannot get to a vet within 30 minutes and their pet is still conscious and able to swallow, the following can be done at their own risk to induce vomiting:
– Mix a small amount (1 tbsp) of washing powder with water to make a sticky ball.
– Push the ball over the tongue and into the back of the mouth (like giving tablets) to make your pet swallow it.
Otherwise, if you live close to a veterinary clinic, put your pet in the car and take it immediately to the vet. The veterinarian can assist your pet to vomit safely or empty the stomach with a tube.
It is also important to report any incidents of pet poisoning to local security companies and police.
Tshwane police spokesperson Warrant-Officer Johan van Dyk told Rekord that a case of malicious damage to property could be opened in poisonings.
He advised that samples and reports could be used to build a case and that police should be alerted.
“Samples must be taken for forensic analysis and court-driven evidence purposes,” he said.
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