Vienna Calling - the Beagle kennel

What is toxic to dogs?

Below is a selection of the most common causes of poisoning in dogs and the corresponding symptoms. The list is not exhaustive!
 
It is highly advisable to consult your veterinarian if intoxication is suspected. Because better once rather unnecessarily, than once too late.

  • Aspirin ( acetylsalicylic acid ) -  gastrointestinal irritation and bleeding into the stomach/intestines. Additional signs related to the gastrointestinal tract such as a decreased appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting (possibly with blood), diarrhea, and dark tarry stools can occur.  Lethal at high dose!
  • Paracetamol - stomach bleeding, fatigue, liver damage, can be lethal!
  • Ibuprofen - clouding of consciousness, increased water intake, increased urine output, vomiting, serious damage to the kidneys
  • Diclofenac/Voltaren - bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, emaciation,  serious stomach and intestinal ulcers, kidney failure up to death!
  • Onions (N- propyldisulphide) - damage of the red blood cells, possibly leading to a serious medical issue called hemolytic anemia. All parts and forms of the onion are considered dangerous for dogs!
  • Garlic (allicin) -  gastrointestinal irritant and can cause vomiting and diarrhea. In high doses, it can also have toxic effects on the blood, particularly red blood cells and cause anemia.
  • Avocado -  vomiting and diarrhea but also damage to the heart muscle. Leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain persin.
  • (Dark) chocolate ( theobromine ) - vomiting, diarrhea, excitement, effects on the circulatory system: tachycardia, arrhythmia, CNS effects: seizures. Especially dark chocolate can be lethal at already small dosis!
  • Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) - thirst, fainting, kidney damage, already small amount can be deadly!
  • Salt - to spicy foods: thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, colic, muscle twitching, seizures - and even death!
  • Alcohol - vomiting, incoordination, difficulty breathing, coma - and even death!
  • Coffee (caffeine) - increases blood pressure and can trigger life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Severe poisoning can lead to an increase in body temperature. In severe cases, the dogs fall into a coma and a cardiac arrest follows!
  • Tea (caffeine, theophylline) - Generally, herbal teas are safe for pets, but just to be on the safe side, you should consult your veterinarian before giving any of them to your dog.  Caffeinated teas like green tea, black teas like Earl Grey, white tea, or Oolong tea can lead to caffeine poisoning,  by about five cups of tea for a small dog, for example.
  • Nicotine - Overstimulated nerves can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, drooling, and vomiting, as well as agitation, excitement, and constricted pupils. Higher doses can cause seizures, confusion, difficulty walking, and an elevated heart rate. Since nicotine is readily absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, mucous membranes, and skin, symptoms are observed within 1 hour of exposure. Already smaller amounts can be deadly!
  • Macadamia nuts - stiff gait, liver damage, vomiting, ataxia (lack of coordination), weakness, hyperthermia (overheating), and depression.
  • Fruit stones (peach, apricot, plum) - respiratory arrest,  seeds contain a compound called amygdalin, which breaks down into hydrogen cyanide, a powerful toxin
  • Grapes / raisins - acute renal failure,  acute kidney injury (the sudden development of kidney failure) with anuria (a lack of urine production).
  • Ice candies, sweets with sugar substitute and toothpaste (Xylitol) - liver damage, hypoglycemia. Xylitol highly poisonous to dogs, even in small doses. If ingested, it can end up deadly!
  • Coumarin (rat poison, but in small doses in cinnamon , strawberries, etc.) - increased bleeding,  Eating rat poison is potentially life-threatening! The rat poison interferes with the production of blood clotting factors, and three to five days afterward, dogs will start to bleed into different body cavities. Without intensive care including a plasma transfusion, it is often fatal!
  • Slug pellets (usually metaldehyde) - dilated eyes, staggering, convulsions, incoordination, tremors, vomiting. Even small amounts can cause significant poisoning and be lethal!
  • Diffenbachie  - mucosal swelling , blisters, ulcers, kidney damage, eye damage, loss of voice, deadly even in small doses!
  • Dragon Tree, Dragon Lily - gastrointestinal complaint to renal failure
  • Ivy - a rash and/or breathing problems if the plant is eaten, but things can become much worse as Ivy can also lead to a coma or paralysis
  • Ficus Benjaminus - contact with the skin can cause dermatitis, while ingestion can cause oral irritation, salivation and vomiting
  • Pine needles - Kidney and liver damage
  • Christmas Star - drooling, licking lips, vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritation (including redness, swelling, and itchiness), eye irritation. Can be lethal!
  • Amaryllis - increased salivation, gastrointestinal abnormalities (vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and abdominal pain), lethargy, and tremors, even in small doses lethal (especially the bulb)!
  • Azalea -  serious gastrointestinal issues. They can additionally cause weakness, discoordination, and weak heart rate.
  • Begonia - vomiting, diarrhea,  intense burning and irritation in the mouth. Ingestion will also cause excessive drooling, vomiting and possibly difficult swalloving.
  • Mountain Laurel- vomiting, diarrhea, colic, loss of appetite, weakness, muscle twitching, lethargy, drooling, uncoordinated walking, and a decreased heart rate.
  • Monkshood - vomiting, diarrhea, colic , excessive urination , arrhythmia , hypothermia,  contains a deadly toxin known as aconitine!
  • Angel's Trumpet - vomiting, diarrhea, enlargement of the pupil of the eye, cardiac arrhythmia, dry mucous membranes, agitation, depression, difficulty swallowing,  disturbing hallucinations, paralysis, tachycardia, and memory loss and can be fatal!
  • Holly - vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal injury
  • Yew - drooling, vomiting, weakness, difficulty breathing, life-threatening changes in heart rate and blood pressure, dilated pupils, tremors, seizures, coma and death!
  • Laburnum - respiratory arrest,  extremely poisonous. If ingested, can cause nausea and vomiting, and can be lethal in large doses (15 seeds or more)!
  • Lily of the Valley - contains cardio glycosides, which are gastrointestinal irritants. If a dog eats the leaves, flower or root of this lily, it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, slowed heart rate, severe heart arrhythmias, seizures and, in severe cases, even death!
  • Hyacinth/Tulios - bulbs contain a toxin which can irritate dogs' mouths and gastrointestinal tract, resulting in drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea.
  • Elderberry - the leaves, stems, unripe fruit and the root are all poisonous to both dogs and humans as they contain cyanide, albeit in very small quantities
  • Oleander - extremely toxic, even a leaf can lead to dead!  Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhe, arrhythmias, blood pressure changes (hypotension or hypertension), neurological signs (lethargy, depression, ataxia, tremors, seizures).
  • Cyclamen - vomiting, diarrhea, colic, circulatory disorders, convulsion , respiratory paralysis. Larger ingestion can cause heart rhythm abnormalities, seizures, and even death!
  • Rhododendron - symptoms include gastrointestinal upset followed by weakness, paralysis, and abnormal heart rhythms. Large doses can be fatal.

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