If you suspect your dog has been poisoned, get to the vet and avoid home remedies

Dog poisoning can sometimes happen if criminals want to hurt the animals to make entering a property less risky.

Andrew Nicholson from Fairland recently found a tennis ball in his garden, “The ball had a section deliberately removed with pellets inserted which I assume is poison intended to harm my dogs.”

Cynthia Bezuidenhout from the Randburg SPCA advised, “If you suspect your dog has been poisoned, rather than tinker with home remedies or unproven ‘cures’, get your pet to the vet as quickly as possible.”

Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital’s Madri Harding said, “Trying to make dogs vomit to expel the poison can be extremely dangerous as depending on the kind of poison used, vomiting can actually make the dog much sicker, so always rush your dog to a vet who can determine the best course of emergency treatment.”

There are various kits available to the public for use in this situation, but consensus from professionals say that dog owners would be wasting critical time administering them rather than seeking help, without knowing if they were in fact adding to the crisis a dog may be in.

Dr Noleen van den Berg from the Randpark Ridge Veterinary Hospital concurred, “The rationale of making dogs vomit with toxic detergents when they are already symptomatic is a moot point and time is better spent getting them to emergency veterinary care. Most poisons are extremely fast acting, and every second is vital.”

She also suggests keeping dogs inside overnight and regularly checking your gardens for suspicious items.

Some signs your dog may have ingested poison are excessive salivating, seizures, vomiting, diarrhoea or being unsteady on their feet.

If you suspect poisoning, please go to your nearest vet as quickly as possible.

Two 24-hour vets in Johannesburg are in Fourways 011 705 3411 and Bryanston 011 706 6023.

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