Accidents or mishaps can’t be avoided in life and the same can be said for our canine companions. Understanding the hazards they are exposed to can make their lives safer. Today we’ll take a look at the dangers our dogs face in their environment and what should we do if they’re in harm’s way. Without further ado let’s begin right away.
12. Swallowed Toys And Stones
Dogs have a habit of putting toys or stones in their mouths as a form of play. These objects are common choking hazards and you should watch what to put in their mouths as these could lead to blockages and internal injuries.
Immediate action: Open their mouths carefully and check for anything that might be causing the blockage. If you can reach the object, use one or two fingers to pull it out. Whether you can identify and pull out the object or not always bring your dog to the vet for further examinations as the injuries could be internal which can be hard to spot.
11. Swallowing Strings And Other Linear Objects
Balls of string, yarn, or ribbons may seem like great toys for dogs but they can be dangerous for them when swallowed. These may seem like innocent objects but they can bunch up and wrap around vital organs and cut off blood circulation or absorb too much liquid in the body.
Immediate Action: When this happens go to your vet quickly as it is possible that the object needs to be removed surgically. As a reminder, it is not advisable to induce vomiting in your dog without the guidance of your vet.
10. Eating Bird Fat Balls
Eating bird fat balls in small amounts is harmless for your dog but the elastic mesh is another story. Elastics can bunch up in your dog’s passages and will block circulation. It can also wrap around your dog’s vital organs and cause lacerations which results in internal bleeding. Fat balls can cause an upset tummy when eaten in large amounts as well.
Immediate action: Ask your vet for advice on what medication or process is needed when your dog has eaten a large amount of fat balls. Vomiting may be induced if it’s needed. In addition, the elastic mesh must be removed surgically as it can cause internal injuries to your dog’s vital organs.
9. Eating Sharp Objects
Dogs are curious animals who learn from their environment, and leaving sharp objects around them can cause some serious injuries. Things like nails and screws are small enough to go unnoticed and shards of bone can come from giving them pieces of meat. These sharp objects can pierce vital organs or cause blockages inside their body which can lead to internal bleeding in your dog.
Immediate action: Sweeping or vacuuming around the house can help get rid of these objects lying around and stop giving them pieces of meat with the bone still on. If your pet ingests something sharp bring him to the vet swiftly as these things need to be removed surgically in most cases.
8. Chewing On Electrical Cords
Puppies and some adult dogs see electrical cords as toys and they can stick their noses in them, claw, or even chew on them and this could be dangerous. They can get electrical shocks, cause burns, or even get fatal electrocutions. In addition, when the wires begin to wear out they may lead to destroyed property or cause house fires.
Immediate Action: Coil up your electrical cords and place them where your dogs can’t reach them. If your dogs get shocked from the electricity bring them to the vet immediately.
7. Consuming Batteries
Batteries are shiny metal objects that could look like toys for your dogs. However, they contain alkaline which can cause chemical burns inside your dog’s body. Heavy metal poisoning can also be a result of eating batteries, not to mention the shards may pierce or block your dog’s organs.
Immediate action: Go to your vet quickly and get him examined physically or x-rayed. The battery needs to be removed either by surgery or endoscopy. As mentioned before it is not advised to induce vomiting to your dog as the chemicals may burn their throats and mouths.
6. Swallowing Glue Products
Super glue or Gorilla glue is a product common in most households and we use it to stick things together when they break. However, this can cause damage to your dogs when they come into contact with this adhesive. It can irritate the eyes, ears, nose, or skin of your dog and may even shut their bodily openings up. It could also cause a mass to grow inside your dog’s body which can cause pain.
Immediate action: Rush your dog to the hospital to locate the growing mass as it can grow inside the ears or stomach. This mass is needed to be removed surgically. Additionally, if the glue causes the openings of your dog’s body to get sealed like the eyes or mouth, it must be opened again under sedation.
5. Exposure to Cleaning Products
Cleaning products are always found in our homes and that could be dangerous to our curious pets. Products like bleach can cause irritation or chemical burns when it comes into contact with our dog’s skin or eyes. These products can also lead to poisoning when ingested and will lead to vomiting, diarrhea, stomach aches, or even death with prolonged exposure.
Immediate action: Have your vet check your dog immediately. Bring along with you the packaging of the cleaning product along with the label and ingredients list if possible. In addition, you’ll want to keep your cleaning products sealed tightly with caps and put them in a secure place where they are unreachable for your dog.
Related:10 Emergencies Every Dog Owner Must Understand
4. Consuming Rat Poisons
Rat poison comes in boxes and in different colored pellets which can seem like a secret stash of treats to your dogs. However, it is far from being a treat as rat poison is dangerous to your pets when ingested. There are many different active ingredients used in regards to making rat poison and it could be hard to treat if it goes unidentified. Rat poison is the most common cause of pet poisoning and can induce pale gums, lethargy, and collapse among other symptoms.
Immediate action: Rush your dog to the vet to have him examined and bring the packaging and the pellets or blocks if possible. The medicine your vet will give you will be dependent on the active ingredient present in the poison.
3. Ingesting Antifreeze
Antifreeze or ethylene glycol is a chemical used to regulate car temperatures and can also be found in products like brake fluid, paint, and many more. This is an odorless blue liquid that tastes sweet and is highly toxic for dogs and humans alike as it can cause kidney failure or even death when not treated fast enough. Your pets can even be at risk for walking over this liquid because they can lick their paws afterward for cleaning.
Immediate action: Time is of the essence in this situation. Rush your dog to the nearest vet or pet hospital as the medicine needed to cure your dog will only be effective in the first 8 hours after ingesting antifreeze. Once the poison has run its course inside your pet’s body the medicine won’t work anymore and it will cause death.
2. Swallowing Human Medication
Even in the safety of your bedroom or bathroom, there is danger lurking for your dogs if they can reach your medicine. NSAIDS or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflamatory Drugs can cause kidney failure in dogs. In addition, sleeping pills can lower your dog’s heart rate and breathing to dangerous levels. Other symptoms of over-dosing can include vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and more depending on what medicine and how much they got in their systems.
Immediate action: Bring your dog to the vet and bring the medications he swallowed. Vomiting may be induced and IVs will be needed for fluid support. Additionally, antidotes can be given to combat the toxic side effects of the medicine.
RELATED:12 Everyday Foods That Can Poison Your Dog
1. Eating Toxic Food
Some human food can be toxic to your dogs and will have harmful effects on them. These foods include chocolate, grapes, xylitol, and many more. Even raw meat can be potentially dangerous if mishandled and then given to your dog. Depending on what they ate your dog may experience kidney failure, liver damage, or even death. This is the most dangerous way you can kill your dog as you can willingly give them something that can be toxic to them even in small amounts.
Immediate action: Educate yourself on which foods are poisonous to your pet and avoid unattended food lying around. If your dog has already eaten something that he isn’t supposed to have rush him to the vet fast to get treatment.
From The Club
Being aware of your dog’s surroundings and watching what he puts in his mouth can be a lifesaver. If your dog has already been exposed to some of the things mentioned here rush him to the vet to get checked and get the treatment he needs. Swift action and a level head are needed when dealing with these kinds of situations.