How to Deal With a Dog That Eats White Lead Paint

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, lead was listed second on the prioritized list of hazardous substances for 2007, being very close to the No. 1-ranked arsenic. Lead paint is present on many painted surfaces, dating from before 1978 when Federal regulations prohibited the use of lead paint. However, if your dog is exposed to old items painted with white lead paint and it chews on these, it is in real danger. If you notice your pet ingested white lead paint, act immediately, otherwise your dog may not survive.

  1. Recognize Signs of Poisoning

    • Even if you don't witness your dog ingesting lead paint, you should be aware of the signs of poisoning. Your dog may continually chew on walls painted with white lead paint, or ingest paint chips. These signs include staggering, drooling, vomiting, weakness, seizures, lack of coordination, lethargy and even collapse. The severity and the symptoms of lead paint poisoning depend on the quantity of paint consumed and the duration of the exposure.

    First Aid Antidotes

    • If your dog ate lead paint, you can't afford to lose time; be ready to offer first aid help. You must have first aid antidotes for poisoning in your first aid kit because these may save your dog's life. Keep a solution of 3 percent concentrated hydrogen peroxide and activated charcoal. If you live close to your veterinarian's office or a veterinarian emergency clinic, drive to it as soon as you notice the first signs of poisoning.

    First Aid Measures

    • Keep calm and, if the veterinarian is not within a 10-minute drive, induce vomiting as soon as possible. Give your dog a solution of 3 percent concentrated hydrogen peroxide mixed with equal amounts of water. If you dog doesn't vomit within 15 minutes, give it another dose of hydrogen peroxide. After your dog vomits, administer activated charcoal slurry (1 cup of water with 1 tbsp. of activated charcoal), which absorbs the toxic substances from the dog's stomach. Drive to a veterinarian clinic to get additional help, such as IV fluids and nutritional support. The veterinarian may also recommend medication treatment to reduce the concentration of lead in the dog's blood, especially if your dog has been exposed to lead paint for an extended period.

    Preventing Poisoning

    • Lead may be present in the paint on houses or apartments built before 1978, old ceramics or golf balls. Remove the paint from your home and repaint it. This is not only safer for your dog, but also for you and your family. If you have any ceramics painted with lead paint, keep them in a room the dog doesn̵7;t have access to. White lead paint is just one of the many potential poisonous substances that can be fatal when ingested by your pet. Remove all poisonous materials from the dog's environment including antifreeze, household cleaning supplies, insecticide, herbicides, toxic plants such as aloe vera, English ivy or laurel bush, human medication such as aspirin or other non steroidal anti-inflammatory medication.