What to do if your dog ate a big slug. How to prevent worms from appearing in your dog

Symptoms of poisoning are not always obvious, and it can manifest itself in the form of signals from the nervous and digestive systems, as well as disruption of the body's blood supply.

Toxic substances

A dog can be poisoned by pesticides, which are widely used both for domestic needs and in gardening; vegetables with toxic properties or poor quality food. Poisons entering the gastrointestinal tract along with food dissolve in digestive juices - enzymes.

The severity of poisoning depends on the amount and degree of solubility of the poison. If a toxic substance is well soluble in enzymes, it is quickly absorbed into the blood and spreads throughout the body and, therefore, has a toxic effect on it much faster and more actively. Therefore, when highly soluble poisons enter a dog’s body, even emergency veterinary care is not always effective. The situation is different with poorly soluble poisons. They are absorbed by the body more slowly, and their harmful effects do not appear immediately. However, in both cases, the most urgent measures should be taken to provide the dog with first aid. And in the future, do not leave dangerous substances within reach of your dog so that he does not try to taste them.

Signs of poisoning in a dog

Depending on the chemical structure of the toxic substance, poisoning in an animal can manifest itself in different ways. In some cases, acute clinical manifestations occur (the dog falls, its head twitches, it grinds its teeth, there may be body convulsions), while in others it can be difficult to immediately recognize it.

What not to do if poisoned

Giving an animal water, milk or medicine for stomach pain without determining which product caused the poisoning: in some cases, this can only speed up the process of intoxication and worsen the situation, simplifying the process of spreading the toxic substance.

Induce vomiting in your dog if it has swallowed a caustic substance, gasoline (kerosene) or its derivatives, or if it has convulsions or difficulty breathing. This can cause damage to internal organs due to false swallowing and will only make the situation worse.

Give your dog a laxative if you don't know what toxic product caused the poisoning. Some of them can speed up the process of intoxication and will only worsen the situation.

Clean the fur of a dog that has been poisoned by gasoline or mothballs, or an organic solvent. In this case, wash off the poison with regular cool water and soap.

What do we have to do

Try to determine what may have poisoned your dog.

Do not engage in questionable self-medication. Contact your veterinarian immediately by phone and act in accordance with the specialist’s instructions.

Agents against rodents and shellfish

Clinical picture of poisoning with drugs against mollusks (grape snails, slugs, etc.): disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system (convulsions, impaired motor skills), digestive system (salivation and nausea), body convulsions, interruptions in the functioning of the heart and breathing (rapid heartbeat). With such poisoning, specialists usually resort to symptomatic therapy aimed at reducing convulsions.

Typically, anti-rat and anti-mouse products are anticoagulants, or anti-clotting agents. They block the synthesis of vitamin K, which is responsible for blood clotting. If a dog ingests this product, it may experience difficulty breathing, internal bleeding, and peritoneal lacerations. If you get the animal to the doctor on time, it can still be saved.

If a dog has swallowed a product containing strychnine, then it begins to have convulsions, all its muscles are tense, the animal lies with its head thrown back. The animal may even die from suffocation. In case of strychnine poisoning, you need to rinse the stomach with water and activated carbon and under no circumstances give the animal tea, coffee or other stimulants.

Industrial toxic substances

Some deicing agents can cause severe poisoning, causing kidney failure. The animal begins to vomit, diarrhea, disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, and diuretic problems.

Lead toxicity can result from a dog licking or chewing on varnished objects or surfaces. As a rule, poisoning is accompanied by disruption of the nervous and digestive systems, as well as dermatological problems. When treating dogs, they try to relieve the symptoms of intoxication, and also give the dog plenty of milk, strong sweet tea, etc.

Detergents and benzene derivatives can cause damage to the digestive system and lungs of dogs (especially puppies).

Poisonous plants

Very often, the cause of animal poisoning is plants containing poison. Sometimes such poisoning can even lead to the death of the animal. Try to pay more attention to your dog and make sure he doesn't chew plant leaves.

Poisonous preparations for killing rodents have a pungent odor, which is why baits are produced. Rats are attracted to grain baits, which are of little interest to dogs. But a curious pet may accidentally swallow poisonous rat bait.

Poisoning is also provoked by hunting instincts; some breeds of dogs can catch and eat a rodent, thereby receiving a dose of poison. How to find out what the dog ate rat poison , and how to help your pet, read on.

New generation rat poison baits do not contain arsenic, lead or strychnine. But modern poisonous substances for rodents are not completely safe for pets (in this case, dogs).

Modern manufacturers offer four types of bait, these are:

first and second generation anticoagulants;
naphthylthiourea;
zinc phosphide.

All poisonous drugs are divided into two groups:

the first act acutely, causing instant death. The option is ineffective in the fight against rats. Rodents are very smart, and if one animal dies after trying the bait, then the others will not eat it;
baits with toxic substances of the second group have a subacute or chronic effect. Symptoms of poisoning appear some time after ingestion.

First generation of anticoagulants

The group includes warfarin, triphenacin, ethylphanacin. They are often used in the production of poisonous baits approved for household use.

Once in the body, the toxic substance leads to a deterioration in normal blood clotting. The disadvantage of this group is that rodents quickly become accustomed, so baits quickly lose their effectiveness.

Second generation of anticoagulants

The group includes:

bromadiolone;
flocumaren;
brodiafacoum.

The effects of the listed substances are similar; they interfere with blood clotting. The difference from the first group is the retention in the body; toxic substances have a cumulative effect. Second generation drugs are more effective. Based on second-generation anticoagulants, the popular “Rat Death” bait is produced.

Naphthylthiourea

The poisonous substance naphthylthiocarbamide is sold under the name Krysid. Is highly toxic. If ingested, it causes convulsions, pulmonary edema, and death. It is used in the form of dry grain bait or gel.

Zinc phosphide

Baits based on zinc phosphide are classified as highly toxic. They are designed for professionals and are not sold in regular hardware stores. Zinc phosphide destroys the stomach of rodents.

Signs of toxic damage (symptoms)

Let's figure out how rat poison works on dogs. Reaction depends on the dose the dog received, as well as on the type of poison bait. So, effects of rat poison on dogs may appear immediately after consumption if the dog has swallowed ratsid or zinc phosphide, or after 3-5 days if a toxic substance from the group of anticoagulants has entered the animal’s body.

Puppies are at risk. Kids are curious, they often try out different things. The puppy's body is more vulnerable to toxic substances.

How does poisoning with baits containing anticoagulants manifest?

Characteristic signs of dog poisoning by rat poison containing anticoagulants:

the first sign is bleeding from the nostrils;
dark stools with a liquid consistency are a sign of internal bleeding;
reddish urine indicates toxic kidney damage;
cough with pink foam is a sign of intrapulmonary bleeding;
loss of consciousness, paralysis indicate cerebral hemorrhages.

In a small dose rat poison for dogs less dangerous, signs of poisoning are erased and uncharacteristic. Anticoagulants of the first group disappear naturally quite quickly, the degree of damage depends on the dose received.

Vafaren is the most dangerous for a dog, lethal dose This drug is only 6 mg per kilo of dog weight. Ethylphenacin is less dangerous, the lethal dose is more than 7000 mg/kg.

How does Rat Death poisoning manifest itself?

One of the most popular anti-rodent drugs is sold under the name " Rat Death 1", effect on dogs this remedy is similar to that described above. But the consequences of poisoning are more serious, since anticoagulants accumulate in the organs. The lethal dose of brodifacoum for a dog is 3.3 mg/kg.

How is the toxic effect of naphthylthiocarbamide manifested?

Bait with naphthylthiourea causes strong rat poison poisoning in dogs, symptoms begin to appear soon after the bait is swallowed. Owners should be wary of:

profuse vomiting;
tachycardia;
shortness of breath, convulsive cough indicate incipient pulmonary edema;
cessation of urine output - symptoms of renal failure.

Toxic effect of zinc phosphide

This is how a dog is poisoned by rat poison:

the dog drinks a lot, greedily, refuses to eat;
general weakness;
indigestion;
convulsive twitching of paws;
fainting.

Treatment

Inexperienced owners do not know what to do if their dog has eaten rat poison. It is necessary to provide urgent assistance to your pet and be sure to take it to a veterinary clinic for treatment.

How to help?

If a dog swallows a poison from the group of substances that affect blood clotting, the prognosis is favorable if the owners take the necessary measures in a timely manner. Let's say the owner saw that the dog ate “Rat Death”, what to do in this case?

Necessary:

Perform gastric lavage as quickly as possible using a low concentration solution of potassium permanganate;
Give the dog any sorbent to drink, for example, crushed activated carbon tablets mixed with water. The number of tablets is determined by the dog’s weight (1 piece for every 10 kilos);
prepare a decoction of flax seed, rice, oatmeal, give a sick dog a drink, these decoctions have an enveloping effect, protecting the mucous membrane of the digestive tract,

If several hours have passed since the bait was swallowed, there is no point in rinsing the stomach; the toxic substances have already passed into the intestines. It is strictly forbidden to carry out washing if signs of damage to the central nervous system appear - convulsive twitching of the paws, loss of coordination.

Antidotes, therapeutic measures

Prescription of medications A veterinarian treats a poisoned dog. Treatment tactics depend on the type of toxic substance:

when swallowing baits with anticoagulants, the dog is injected with phytomenadione. The dose depends on the weight of the animal;
There is no specific antidote against naphthylthiocarbamide; in order to bind the toxic substance and remove it from the stomach faster, the animal is given a 1% solution of tannin;
in case of poisoning with poisons based on zinc phosphides, the animal is given a 2% solution of sodium bicarbonate.

In severe cases, blood or plasma transfusions are required. In addition, symptomatic therapy is carried out, the animal is given anticonvulsants, drugs to support the heart, kidneys, and liver.

Conclusion

A dog eating rat bait poses a serious danger. If it happened dog poisoning with rat poison, symptoms and treatment depend on the type of toxic substance ingested. Therefore, contacting a veterinarian is mandatory.

My dog swallowed an insect. Is this a problem?

Summer is still in full swing, dear friends! This means that in our dachas, meadows, fields, forests (yes, actually, everywhere!) you can see clouds of a wide variety of insects: flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, gadflies, etc. and so on. Need I explain that out of boredom or curiosity, dogs can, for example, chase some crazy fly and swallow it! And now the main question: if your four-legged friend swallows such “food”, can you expect problems? Are our pets being ambushed in some other places? British experts explain.

Are insects harmless? Yes, in the summer we see all sorts of different creatures - flying, fluttering, crawling, and jumping. Dogs are very curious creatures, and often taste the spiders, bugs, flies and butterflies that they come across, which by definition cannot serve as food for them. Should I immediately faint or call the vet? No, it’s not worth it - if single specimens get into the stomach, the dog’s body will cope on its own. Were there many copies? Then you should expect defensive reactions, for example, vomiting. But this is also uncritical.

So, can we finish the article? No! I'll have to be an entomologist for a little while! Not all insects are completely harmless to dogs. For example, animals can find and swallow several types of caterpillars that are poisonous! When playing with your dog in the habitat of caterpillars and similar “creatures”, be vigilant! Dogs, as a rule, do not swallow them right away; they play with them first. Try to catch this moment and stop it!

Not only insects, but also some types of toads pose a potential danger to dogs (this is due to the properties of their skin). Alas, toads are of considerable interest to our four-legged friends - they jump, gallop and attract attention in every possible way. Be on the lookout!

Summer in general is fraught with many hidden dangers. Let's take, for example, our dachas. Do you use various types of “chemicals” to control pests in your garden beds? And now another question: do you let your dog out onto the property to run around and have fun? We hope everything became clear to you without additional explanations. Don’t take unnecessary risks, don’t spoil the rest of yourself or your pet!

Bees, wasps and other buzzing scourges. In the summer, it’s not just the relatively “harmless” flies and flies that fly around! And how many bees, wasps, hornets, gadflies and horse flies! And the dog hunts them in the same way, clattering its mouth. Such a “hunt” can be fraught with severe and very painful bites. The bite can be in the face, in the eye area, and even in the mouth! An acute reaction of the body will not be long in coming. In rare cases, your pet may be allergic to bee venom and there is a risk of developing anaphylactic shock, which will require immediate action! Is your dacha located near a meadow, field, forest, where there are a lot of honey plants and, accordingly, bees? Think about what protective measures should be implemented!

Snails, slugs and more. We are accustomed to classifying both of them as relatively harmless creatures. However, this is partly true. But slugs and snails sometimes cause considerable harm to gardeners, who, accordingly, do not spare any toxic means to combat them. A dog may well swallow a snail that has tasted the effects of toxic chemicals. And here they are, problems! Please find reasonable compromises if you have a four-legged pet and plants in the garden!

But back to the snails. They are harmless, perhaps, only in appearance. In fact, they are carriers of many dangerous infections. Pulmonary infections are especially dangerous. So, completely unexpectedly, your dog starts coughing, then breathing problems appear, then respiratory failure occurs, and subsequently heart failure... And so on, right up to death, if you don’t pay attention to anything!

Not only are slugs and snails dangerous, but also their larvae. How can you be in danger? It’s very simple: just leave your dog’s toys (balls, etc.) on the property overnight, and in the morning the dog will come up and continue playing – and the path to infections is open. And at this time, at night, all sorts of different creatures visited and crawled on the toys, and not only crawled, but also left their saliva (mucus).

What can be done? Do your best to prevent your pet from coming into contact with snails and slugs, and under no circumstances allow them to be swallowed. Bring toys into the house at night, or even better, pour boiling water over them. Talk to your veterinarian - he will tell you what lung nematode is, what heartworm disease is, how common the disease is in your area, and what methods are used for treatment. If necessary, the veterinarian will tell you what preventative medications you should take and prescribe their optimal dosage.

Slugs appear in the spring and ruin our lives until autumn. The ideal time to fight them is from

May to July, and at this time you need to try to destroy them as much as possible. The fact is that in August they lay new eggs, each copy 200-400 pieces, from which offspring will hatch next year.

What enemy do you have honor with?

The most common species that can make you happy with its presence is the brown garden or forest slug. Both plowed and netted slugs can get into our garden. A large slug will happily feast on your supplies of fruits and vegetables.

Recently, the Spanish red slug, which came from Southern Europe, has become increasingly widespread. Of its relatives, this species is considered the most dangerous - it grows up to 15 centimeters and poses a real threat to gardens and vegetable gardens in Europe. In addition, it can poison animals if it is accidentally ingested.

The most favorable atmosphere for slugs is humidity and rain. They love dark places in the shade and temperatures from 13 to 18 degrees Celsius. They are usually not visible during the day because they are nocturnal animals. At night they crawl out of their hiding places and eat everything that gets in their way.

Slugs have an unlimited appetite. They eat almost everything that grows in the garden. The weather influences their appetite - during the rainy season they will eat all the greenery that grows nearby.

Who will help you fight them?

The most harmless way to deal with them is to lure their natural enemies into the garden. They feed primarily on hedgehogs, toads, ground beetles and shrews. Snakes and some birds also eat slugs. You can make a natural shelter for them in the corner of the garden from fallen leaves. It is best to make a pond or lake on the site and plant tall grass near it.

Common white ducks can help you in the fight against slugs. Wherever you put them in the garden, they will collect the slugs. In Germany, there is even a farm where ducks are bred, which are loaned to gardeners for money. The ducks eat all the slugs and return to the farm.

Collect and create barriers.

The best way to get rid of slugs is to pick them up regularly and consistently. You will collect them most in the late afternoon and early morning. If you just throw them over the fence, they will quickly come back. If you pour boiling water on them in a bucket - it’s not so cruel, because it’s quick - you’ll kill them. After the water has cooled, you can compost them.

To protect vegetables and fruits from attacks by insatiable slugs, create a protective barrier around the beds. Gastropods cannot climb over rough surfaces, so crushed eggshells, walnut shells or sawdust can be placed around the beds. They will not be able to overcome such a surface. A pile of coarse sand or lime will also scare them away. You can try coffee grounds; eating them will kill the slugs.

You can also try plants that repel them. Plant some of these plants along the edges of the bed: garlic, lavender, dill, sage, comfrey, cornflower, hydrangea, peony, parsley, thyme, iris.

A reliable way is alcohol poisoning.

Slugs cannot resist beer; they will follow its aroma anywhere, including into a trap. It's easy to do. Bury a plastic bowl in the ground, preferably near the plants you want to protect. The edges of the bowl should be above ground level so that other animals do not fall into it. Fill the bowl halfway with beer and once every three days collect the dead slugs, throw them away along with the rest of the beer and top up with fresh ones.

The most desperate ones will use chemicals or salt.

Granules that are designed to kill slugs are effective; just scatter them around the area. However, do not forget that this is chemistry. with prolonged use, substances from them settle in the soil and can harm not only plants, but also other animals.

The classic way to get rid of slugs is to use kitchen salt. She eats slugs. Simply sprinkle salt around the beds (preferably on black paper so it doesn’t get into the soil) or make a concentrated salt solution into which you throw the slugs. This is a cruel method of killing; boiling water is still better.

Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and the care of companion animals. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. He has been working at the same animal clinic in his hometown for over 20 years.

Number of sources used in this article: . You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

Steps

How to remove worms from the external environment

Clean your dog's area regularly to remove debris and fecal matter. Dogs can become infected with worms from fecal matter in the yard. If you have your own home, collect excrement every day with a special device in the yard. Don't let them accumulate, otherwise your dog may become infected.

Wash your dog's bedding at least once a week. This will prevent fleas and other pests from breeding on the litter.

Clean the kennel regularly. Keeping the areas where your dog plays and sleeps clean will reduce the risk of hookworm infestation. Nematodes live in the soil and can enter a dog's body either through the skin of its paws or when the dog licks its paw.

Get rid of standing water where mosquitoes can breed. The only way to get heartworm is from the bite of an infected mosquito, so it is important to protect your dog from mosquitoes. Mosquitoes become infected with worms from dogs, foxes, wolves and other wild animals and then pass them on to the dog or dogs with new bites.
- Get rid of standing water in your yard - it can breed mosquitoes.
Get rid of slugs and snails. Slugs and snails can infect your dog with lung nematodes, so try to remove them. Don't let your dog eat slugs and snails because this is how dogs often become infected. Wash your dog's toys in the evening because slugs and snails leave marks on surfaces that can also lead to infection.
- It is difficult to detect a lungworm infection, but if your dog is having trouble breathing (heavy breathing, frequent coughing) or has lost weight, ask your doctor to check the animal for worms.
If you cannot remove the pests yourself, hire a special company. If you can't get rid of insects and other pests, contact a professional.

Drugs and other treatments

Give your dog flea medication every month. Infested fleas can carry worms, so flea prevention is important. You can buy anti-flea medications at any veterinary pharmacy or pet store, but first you should talk to your veterinarian. The doctor will recommend a medication based on your dog's medical history.

Talk to your veterinarian about heartworm prevention. It doesn't matter if you have a puppy or an adult dog, you should definitely ask your doctor to test for heartworms and prescribe preventive medications. Heartworms pose a health risk to dogs and can cause bleeding, breathing problems, and cardiac arrest. For this reason, it is very important to prevent heartworms from occurring and begin treatment at the first sign of an infestation.

To get rid of fleas in the house, use special sprays and powders. If you have fleas in your home, you will have to use special sprays or powders to remove them. Ask your veterinarian to recommend a product that is safe for pets.

Do not use products that can poison your dog.

If your dog is pregnant, consult your doctor about treatment. Some worms, including hookworms, can be passed from mother to puppy in the womb or through milk, so it is important to give deworming medication to your pregnant or nursing dog.
- Talk to your doctor and ask them to advise you on a safe treatment option.
Find out what worms your dog may have. Since you will be discussing this issue with your veterinarian, you will want to find out which worms can be transmitted to dogs. The most common types of worms found in dogs are:

Explore your treatment options. To prevent further worms from appearing, you must first get rid of existing ones. For this purpose, anthelmintic drugs (medicines that kill worms) are used. They will rid the dog of worms and prevent it from shedding worm eggs and larvae into the environment, which will protect the animal from re-infection. Check with your veterinarian before giving anything to your dog. Overdose can lead to serious side effects.