Pit bulls, also known as American pit bull terriers or Staffordshire terriers, tend to have sensitive skin under a short, smooth coat. Poison ivy, which belongs to a group of toxic plants called toxicodendron, can cause skin irritation as well as serious internal poisoning.
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Identification
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Poison ivy, a green leafy plant belonging to the rhus species, produces a toxin called urushiol. Urushiol is an oily resin found in poison ivy sap. Poison ivy is found throughout North America and Europe, in yards, fields and wooded areas.
External Effects
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Pit bulls, like most animals, have a natural resistance to the effects of urushiol. Pit bulls can be predisposed to sensitive skin, however, and may be more susceptible than other dogs to irritation, burning and itching when they come in contact with poison ivy.
Internal Effects
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Poison ivy is highly toxic if ingested by any pet, including a pit bull. Poison ivy will cause serious vomiting and diarrhea, which can result in dehydration, weakness and disorientation.
Treatment
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External contact with urushiol can be treated with prolonged and repeated bathing. Lemon balm and witch hazel may sooth poison ivy rash. Pediatric diphenhydramine may also relieve discomfort. Follow a veterinarian's instructions on dosing. Ingestion of poison ivy requires immediate veterinary care, intravenous fluids and activated charcoal to remove all plant material from the stomach.
Transmission
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Pit bulls, and other pets, can carry poison ivy toxin on their coats, and transmit the oily sap to a person, causing poison ivy reaction. Wash an affected dog using dish soap, wearing rubber gloves, and thoroughly clean all surfaces the toxin touches.
Prevention
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It is important to learn how to identify poison ivy. Keeping your pit bull from contact with the plant, and preventing the dog from eating poison ivy, is far preferable to treating the consequences of poisoning.
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