Dogs Cats

       Cats and dogs often like to chew on household items, sometimes causing poisoning from accidental ingestion, or because the owner doesn’t understand the dangers certain medicines or foods pose to dogs and cats, resulting in poisoning from misuse.

       1. Accidental Ingestion of Chocolate

       Dogs get poisoned by chocolate because the methylxanthines (theobromine and caffeine) in chocolate cause vasoconstriction, increased heart rate, and nervous system stimulation; excessive intake causes poisoning.

       The poisoning mechanism is: methylxanthines in chocolate inhibit phosphodiesterase, causing release of catecholamines, which competitively inhibit adenosine receptors and increase myocyte intracellular calcium, leading to abnormalities in the neuromuscular system, cardiovascular system, and central nervous system.

       The minimum lethal dose is consumption of 100-200 mg of caffeine or theobromine per kg of body weight. Different types of chocolate have varying concentrations; for a 1 kg dog, eating 0.5 ounces (14g) of baking chocolate or 2 ounces (56g) of milk chocolate can cause poisoning symptoms.

       Symptoms: If poisoning occurs, symptoms may include vomiting and diarrhea 2-4 hours after ingestion, restlessness and hyperactivity, frequent drinking and urination, followed by muscle rigidity, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, and in severe cases, heart failure, weakness, coma, and death may occur 12-36 hours after ingestion.

       Treatment: If no seizures occur, induce vomiting. Before vomiting or other symptoms appear, gastric lavage and administration of activated charcoal at 0.5g/kg every three hours for 72 hours can be done. Laxatives may be given to promote chocolate excretion. Other treatments are symptomatic. Usually the poisoning symptoms resolve within 12-36 hours.

       2. Accidental Ingestion of Onion

       Raw or cooked onions contain disulfides, harmless to humans but can oxidize red blood cells in dogs and cats, potentially causing hemolytic anemia.

       Toxic dose: As little as 1.2 small slices of onion per week can damage red blood cell function, affecting oxygen transport and thus reducing oxygen supply to tissues.

       Symptoms: Weight loss, fatigue, lethargy, frequent panting, depression, rapid pulse, weakness.

       Treatment is mainly symptomatic.

       3. Accidental Ingestion of Desiccants

       (1) Colorless, transparent silica gel is non-toxic and requires no treatment.

       (2) White powder or granules are CaO (calcium oxide) or CaCl2 (calcium chloride).

       CaO is corrosive; give water to pets and take them to the hospital for observation. If severe oral or gastrointestinal pain occurs within 24 hours, an endoscopy may be performed. CaCl2 is only irritating; after giving water, no treatment is needed.

       4. Accidental Ingestion of Detergents

       Most household cleaning solutions that can be touched by hand are neutral, weakly acidic, or weakly alkaline, containing low-phosphorus anionic surfactants, with cationic surfactants being rare. After giving water, observation for 6-8 hours usually shows no major issues. Gastric lavage and activated charcoal are not necessary. If other conditions occur, supportive therapy is given.

       1. Accidental Ingestion of Bathroom and Toilet Cleaners

       These are mostly strong acids or strong bases. Treatment involves giving water; no gastric lavage or activated charcoal, and vomiting should not be induced to avoid secondary esophageal injury. Emergency hospitalization and endoscopy within 24 hours post-ingestion are recommended. If mild redness and swelling occur, pets can be discharged once symptoms disappear. Ulcers require hospitalization to observe for esophageal or stomach perforation complications. Endoscopy 1-2 weeks later is needed to assess if treatment for esophageal stricture is necessary.

       2. Accidental Ingestion of Bleach (sodium hypochlorite)

       Bleach has a pH of 9-12 and can generate harmful substances. Attention to corrosive effects and chemical pneumonia is required, with supportive therapy as the main treatment.

       3. Biting a Mercury Thermometer

       Mercury cannot be absorbed through the intestines, so ingestion usually does not cause poisoning; gastric lavage or activated charcoal are unnecessary unless the pet experiences intestinal obstruction or fistula, causing prolonged mercury retention and resulting poisoning. The main concern is to clean mercury residues from the floor to avoid mercury vapor poisoning in enclosed spaces.

       4. Accidental Ingestion of Camphor

       Camphor is used as an insect repellent and medicine (e.g., wind-relieving oil). Camphor floats on water. Poisoning manifests within 5-20 minutes, peaking within 90 minutes, with symptoms such as vomiting, agitation, tremors, convulsions, hallucinations, breathing difficulty, coma, death, fatty degeneration, liver dysfunction, rhabdomyolysis, urinary retention, oliguria, proteinuria, rapid heartbeat, pupil dilation, blurred vision, and aspiration pneumonia.

       Treatment should avoid inducing vomiting; gastric lavage and activated charcoal can be given. Anticonvulsants should be administered when necessary. Attention is needed for timing antibiotic therapy for aspiration pneumonia. Other treatments are mainly supportive.

       5. Accidental Ingestion of Paradichlorobenzene

       The main components of deodorants and insect repellents are paradichlorobenzene.

       Poisoning symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, mild liver dysfunction, general weakness, and weight loss. Hemolysis, jaundice, and methemoglobinemia are less common.

       Treatment can include inducing vomiting, gastric lavage, and activated charcoal; other treatments mainly support therapy.