Anyone who has a dog at home knows the torture that fleas and ticks can become, both for the inconvenience they cause the animal, and for how dangerous they are to their he alth and how difficult it can be to eradicate them from the dog and from the home itself.
Medicines and drugs prescribed to combat fleas and ticks in dogs are very varied, producing different effects according to their level of effectiveness. However, did you know that for some dogs these treatments can be dangerous? That is why this time our site wants to talk to you about pipette poisoning in dogs, its symptoms and treatment Surely it is a method that you have thought of using with your friend hairy without knowing the risk it may involve.
Are pipettes toxic?
As with allergies, on many occasions it is practically impossible to determine if a certain product (unless specified) will be toxic to your dog, endangering its he alth and life.
Pipettes marketed to combat fleas and ticks contain chemicals in small amounts that are deadly to parasites and, although not usually be dangerous, you must not forget that, despite being small doses, you are still dealing with a poison, capable of producing negative side effects in some dogs.
Many pipettes are manufactured by compounds such as permethrin, a type of pyrethroid that is highly dangerous for parasites and insects, affecting them when they have lodged in your dog, but either by inhalation or by contact with the skin there is a possibility that they could be toxic to your dog.
How does intoxication occur?
Although pipette poisoning in dogs doesn't always happen, your furry friend may get it if:
- You are allergic to the active ingredient in the pipette. This can happen both when contact with the skin has occurred, and if your dog decides to start licking at the site where you have placed the treatment, ingesting it by accident.
- There is a wound on the skin When your dog has a skin lesion, the use of pipettes against fleas and ticks is not recommended, as the poison for these parasites will be easily absorbed by your dog's body, producing an effect similar to that of an "overdose".
- Administration of a wrong pipette If you are one of the dog companions who choose to buy a pipette for large dogs with the idea of administering it to a small breed dog, because we give you a resounding NO to this: each treatment is formulated with different doses according to the breed, size and weight of the dog, so the administration of the wrong pipette can cause the treatment does not have the desired effect (if a small breed is acquired to put it on a large dog), or a dangerous intoxication (large dog pipette to put it on small dogs). Do not skimp on what your dog really needs and offer him the best, he deserves it.
- Treatment ingestion As already said, your dog may lick the site where you have placed the product and this ingestion has effects secondary, or even eat your flea collar, which are impregnated with this type of toxic agent.
Symptoms of pipette poisoning in dogs
If you have applied a pipette against parasites to your dog and he begins to have one or more of these symptoms, then it means that he is intoxicated:
- Excess salivation.
- Fever.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Whole body tremors.
- Hyperactivity or nervousness.
- Fatigue.
- Tingle.
- Limb numbness.
- Excessive urination or loss of bladder control.
- Heavy or fast breathing.
- Hypothermia.
- Cramps.
- Asthma.
- Itch.
- Purito (red skin or rash).
- Abnormal behavior of the pupils.
- Seizures.
There are quite a few signs, so it shouldn't be difficult to identify them. They appear in the next few hours after administering the pipette.
Treatment for pipette poisoning in dogs
The best thing to do if your dog suffers from pipette poisoning is to immediately go to the vet. As an immediate aid while you go to the veterinary center, we suggest that you:
- Keep Calm. If you lose control this will prevent you from thinking clearly. Also, the dog will notice your agitated state and this will only make him more nervous.
- If the poisoning has been due to ingestion of the contents of the pipette, under no circumstances give milk or oil to your dog. The effectiveness of this method is just a popular belief, and it really has a counterproductive effect: these foods accelerate the absorption of the toxic substance.
- Try to induce vomiting by giving the dog a spoonful of hydrogen peroxide mixed with tap water. If it doesn't work, don't repeat the procedure.
- If the poisoning has been caused by contact with the skin, clean the area but do not bathe the dog,as many researchers claim that soaps and shampoos only speed up the penetration of the pipette into the animal's skin.
- When you go to the vet, remember to bring the box of the product you used.
If you act quickly and appropriately, pipette poisoning in your dog will be just a bad time and your dog will recover soon.
