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What common substances can hurt my dog?
Just because something isn't good for your dog doesn't mean that they won't eat or drink it. Since they don't have any idea of whether or not something is toxic, they'll eat it if it looks or tastes good.
If your dog ingests any of the following substances, don't panic. Panicking will only serve to lengthen the time it takes to get your dog some help. The less time a substance stays in the system, the less chance it has to create ill effects.
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Anti-Freeze: Licking even a small amount of anti freeze can be quite lethal. Just a teaspoon is enough to kill a small dog, so it doesn't take more than a few laps. Dogs really like the sweet taste; they have been known to chew through plastic containers that hold anti-freeze. If your dog has ingested even a small amount, call your vet or an emergency animal clinic immediately.
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Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Products such as Advil or Tylenol may work wonders in reducing pain for people, but are quite toxic when ingested by your dog. They will wreak havoc on your dog's digestive tract, so keep them safely out of reach.
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Rat Poison: Rat poison can be found in city alleys and streets near garbage cans and dumpsters. Rat poison comes in pellet form - red or green. Rat poison is tasty to rats and, unfortunately, to dogs too. If your dog has ingested some rat poison, or even a rat that you suspect has eaten rat poison, call your vet or an emergency animal clinic immediately. Rat poison can cause your dog to bleed from his mouth, nose and rectal area. If not treated quickly, your dog can bleed to death.
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Extermination: When your house is being exterminated, ask your exterminator what is a safe amount of time to keep your dog from the rooms that are being treated. Keep your dog from walking in areas that may still be slightly wet with pesticide. The pesticide can get on his paws, and will get into his mouth if he starts licking them.
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Household Cleaners and Disinfectants: If your dog has ingested household cleaners or disinfectants, then read the instruction label on the back to see if vomiting needs to be induced. You don't want to induce vomiting on certain products because this can irritate the esophagus. You can induce vomiting by putting your finger down your dog's throat, if you are comfortable doing this. Otherwise, give your dog a hydrogen peroxide solution (one tablespoon per 30 pounds of your dog's body weight).
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House Plants: Numerous household plants are toxic for your dog. Some of the popular houseplants that are toxic include philodendrons, azaleas, rhododendron, Easter lilies, amaryllis, foxglove and Japanese lilies. Consult with your vet if you have any questions about houseplants that you may have in your house.
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Chocolate: Many vets get calls from panic-stricken owners who have discovered that their dog has eaten a candy bar. Chocolate contains a natural occurring stimulant called theobromine found in the cocoa bean plant. It is a poison that effects the central nervous system, as well as the heart of a dog. If your dog has eaten chocolate and is experiencing any side effects, call your veterinarian right away.
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