Signs & Symptoms of Pesticide Poisoning in Dogs

There are more than 300 active ingredients used in pesticides. Eighty-five percent of American households own three to four products containing pesticides. Pesticides are used extensively in our homes and around our yards. They are used to repel, prevent and reduce all kinds of pests. Because dogs spend time both indoors and out, they have access to many of them. Pesticides can be ingested, inhaled and absorbed through the skin. Symptoms can be mild or severe, even ending in death.

  1. Organophosphorus

    • Organophosphorus is used for pest control. It's found in wasp, ant, termite and flea products. It's either ingested or it can absorbed through your dog's skin. It produces different symptoms. Mild symptoms include sweating, tremors, constriction of the pupils and excessive salivation. Moderate symptoms are vomiting, slow pulse and uncontrollable muscle tremors. Some severe symptoms are unconsciousness, loss of reflexes, diarrhea, coma and death.

    Rodenticides

    • Rodenticides include warfarin, strychnine, metaldehyde and thallium. These pesticides are used to kill rodents. They're usually the most lethal of all pesticides. Dogs are poisoned by eating the bait. They could also experience a secondary poisoning by eating contaminated rodents. Mild symptoms are depression, lethargy, anemia and weakness. Severe symptoms include hemorrhaging, violent seizures, respiratory paralysis and death. These pesticides act very quickly; symptoms should not be ignored.

    Pyrethroids

    • Pyrethroids include allethrins, pyrethrins, permethrins and cyhalothrins. They are used in flea collars, shampoos and flea spots. Most are trans dermal. They affect a dog's nervous system. Some symptoms include salivating, tremors, hyperactivity, seizures and death.

    Metaldehyde-based

    • Metaldehyde-based poisons are used in slug, snail and rat bait. Dogs eat the bait or lick their paws after walking on treated ground. Poisoning with metaldehyde results in abdominal cramps, seizures, vomiting and death. It may take several days for a dog to die from this pesticide if not treated in time.

    Arsenic

    • Arsenic is found in herbicides, insecticides, pesticides and wood preservatives. Poisoning occurs when arsenic is ingested. Arsenic is a gastrointestinal irritant. It produces vomiting, diarrhea, severe stomach pains, coma and death. Most dogs die within a few hours of eating arsenic.

    Recognize symptoms

    • Recognizing common symptoms of pesticide poisoning can help save your dog. Quick action is needed for the veterinarian to determine the treatment. Most pesticides can be fatal. If you suspect your dog has been poisoned, take him to your veterinarian or call The National Animal Control Center at 1-888-426-4435. There's usually a fee for this service.