Dogs are naturally curious creatures that love to explore their environment. Unfortunately, exploration often means sniffing and licking objects that may prove harmful. Every responsible dog owner must be vigilant at dog-proofing the home, be aware of signs that could indicate ingestion of a poisonous substance and know what to do in case of trouble.
If you are the new owner of an adventurous dog, you might be surprised at all the things your pet can mistake for a toy or treat. If it gets into the contents of your purse or onto your desk, you might find that it has chewed on a pen and has the ink marks to prove it.
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Ingredients of Ink
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Ink is a mixture of dyes and pigments, water and solvents. Generally, ink is considered nonpoisonous, especially if ingested in small amounts such as those found in a pen or marker. So if your dog accidentally chews on a pen despite all your efforts to maintain a dog-friendly environment, you will be relieved to know that there is no immediate cause for alarm.
Signs and Symptoms
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Accidental ingestion of ink may not have any signs or symptoms apart from ink stains on your pet's coat. Still, you should watch out for signs of poisoning like vomiting, diarrhea, irritation around the mouth or eyes, agitation, drooling, staggering, seizures or difficulty breathing.
What to Do
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If you suspect your dog has ingested ink but appears fine, just keep the dog under observation and contact your vet as soon as possible. If there are no signs of illness, a trip to the clinic may not be needed, but you must inform your vet for professional advice, or you may get in touch with the Animal Poison Control Center.
Animal Poison Control Center
888-426-4435
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/If your pet is losing consciousness or is unconscious, if it is having seizures or breathing difficulties, take your dog to the vet or emergency clinic immediately.
First Aid
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If ink has gotten on its fur, clean the dog up as best as you can by using a mild dishwashing liquid. This will prevent her from licking off the ink from her body.
Your vet may advise you to induce vomiting by giving your dog a hydrogen peroxide solution. Do not induce vomiting unless your vet advises you to do so. At the vet, your pet may be given activated charcoal to delay absorption of the harmful substance.
Prevention
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The best prevention is keeping your dog's environment clean and neat so that it gets no opportunity to ingest non-food objects. Teaching your dog to "leave it" will also help you prevent accidents.
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