Several months ago I adopted Hank, a five-year old mutt, from the local Humane Society. I had every hope he will be a companion and playmate for Banjo, my Australian Shepherd. Unfortunately, things didn’t come out the way I expected. Overall, it was a very bad day for me personally, for the local veterinarian, for anyone in the pet shelter who had arrived at love quiet, mild-mannered Hank, and, obviously, for Hank himself.

The very first inkling I’d that something was very wrong with Hank came while walking him round the exercise yard in the shelter. Hank stopped to piddle so often that I remarked onto it, however the shelter volunteer said hello was normal with animals which are locked in their pens for such a long time every single day. A housebroken pet poisoning, she said, will “hold it” until he gets outside, and so the floodgates open. That sounded reasonable to me, so I filled out the adoption paperwork, paid the fees, and took Hank to my car, where I saw the second indication of severe illness. Hank actually fell into my small car. This insufficient coordination appeared like a little problem, however it did put me on alert.
He and Banjo appeared to get on all right when I introduced them at home, but Hank still wasn’t acting right. The floodgates were still open, and that he couldn’t avoid water dish. His fur was falling out in great gobs, and something in Hank’s eyes explained he just didn’t feel great. I called the local vet and asked for an emergency appointment.
To make a long story short, Hank had to be pay that afternoon after tests showed his kidneys were closing. The vet said it was probably that Hank have been poisoned, probably with antifreeze, a sweet-tasting liquid that dogs find irresistible, but which could cause mental confusion, vomiting, kidney failure, and death. Hank would have lapped up the antifreeze before he was brought to the shelter, where he spent several weeks awaiting anyone to take him home. If the shelter volunteers have been more observant, could they’ve saved Hank? It’s possible, but we’ll really don’t know.
Unfortunately, antifreeze is not the only common household chemical that can cause severe illness in dogs. Since dogs are curious creatures, plus some of these poisons taste good to both dogs and children, special caution ought to be taken to keep the following substances away from your pets. If you think that your dog has ingested these products, or if it shows any of the following signs and symptoms of illness, he must be taken immediately towards the nearest veterinary clinic.
Antidepressant drugs, which could cause irregular heartbeat, vomiting hyperactivity, tremors and seizure.
Pesticides, such as flea and tick collars, sprays and powders; rat poisons; strychnine; and zinc phosphate. The symptoms of poisoning will vary, depending on the particular pesticide that was ingested. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of balance or coordination, nosebleeds, internal bleeding with the gut or urinary track, breathlessness, listlessness, nervousness, seizures, and death. In case your pet enters one of these poisons, attempt to go ahead and take container along with you towards the vet’s office, so he or she can provide the appropriate antidote and emergency treatment as soon as possible.
Antifreeze, as noted earlier. Immediate veterinary treatment might be able to save your valuable pet, from kidney failure if it is rushed towards the animal clinic in time.
Ammonia, disinfectants, and fabric softener may cause vomiting, diarrhea and seizures. Call your pet’s veterinarian immediately – the clinic might point to that you give the dog milk or water to dilute the poison before rushing it to the clinic.