Many people give their dogs supplements in order to maintain health and treat various conditions. While you may feel like you are doing your dog a favor, you should make sure the dog is not being poisoned by supplements that contain too much iron. Because dogs cannot get rid of excess iron in their bodies, it becomes toxic to them.
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How It Happens
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Either the dog is given too many supplements and the resulting iron levels are too high, or the dog accidentally receives an overdose. Talk to your vet before feeding your dog any supplements.
Dangers
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Iron toxicity is extremely dangerous for dogs. It can make the dog go into shock or a coma. It can also damage the dog's digestive system, liver, heart and cells.
Symptoms
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A dog with iron toxicity will most likely be lethargic and drowsy, and may have vomiting and diarrhea. The diarrhea will often be bloody. In general, symptoms will develop about six hours after the ingestion of high amounts of iron.
Diagnosis
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A blood test can determine if the amount of iron in the blood is too high. Also, your vet may need to take an X-ray to see if there is iron in the dog's intestinal tract.
Treatment
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Do not attempt to treat your dog at home; take the dog to the veterinarian immediately. The vet may induce vomiting or pump the dog's stomach. The dog may be given Deferoxamine to help rid its body of iron. Intravenous fluids will likely be administered, and the dog may need to be hospitalized so that it can be monitored closely and given more treatment if necessary.
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