What’s Up Doc? by Beth Rodgers
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e love our dogs! We love to give them gifts and do not need a special occasion to offer a favorite chew, a ride to their favorite place, or a new bed (or two or three). There is another gift that you can give your dog, however, that may be life saving and can be acquired with less than $1.00 and only a few minutes of your time. It is a gift that your dog, and you, will be grateful especially if you never use it. That is the gift of a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and the knowledge of how to use it to induce vomiting in the event of ingestion of a toxic substance. Occasionally I get a phone call from someone whose golden retriever has eaten something it shouldn’t. This will not surprise anyone who knows golden retrievers. No matter how careful you are, no matter how cautiously you put potential dangers in a place that you are certain is out of reach, many golden retrievers will figure out how to reach it. I have seen dogs reach the top of a refrigerator, defying the beliefs of us silly humans that a dog is not going to climb on the kitchen counter. To some dogs, that looks like a fun new agility obstacle. To a cat, it’s an invitation and the stored item quickly will be moved to the dog’s level by a curious feline. Children and unwitting guests also can move things putting something dangerous in easy reach of your dog. Remember that pack of sugar-free, xylitol infused breath mints left on the end table? In a nutshell: stuff happens, and some of that stuff can be deadly.
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What do you do? This is no time to comb the internet looking for instructions especially since we know a great deal of what you find there is questionable at best. It also is not the time to wish you were better prepared, especially when preparation will cost you only a few minutes of time and less than $1.00. In many situations, the owner calls the vet and is then directed to call poison control. Upon reaching poison control you may be on hold for a time. The clock is ticking and you are getting increasingly more anxious. In reality, it may only be a few minutes, but knowing you are dealing with a potential life threatening emergency makes any delay nearly unbearable. You finally talk to someone at poison control, provide all the detail about the ingestion you can, and then are directed to try to get the dog to vomit. You will save precious minutes if you are prepared to do so. That means having a fresh, unopened, unexpired bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide where you can find it quickly. Attached to that bottle should be the directions and the equipment you need to use it properly. A few minutes of preparation now could save your dog’s life. If you do not have an emergency kit for your dog, this could be a good start for one. For poisoning, a simple setup is to place that fresh bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide in a zip closure plastic bag. Include in that bag written instructions for dose, how to administer it, a measuring device such as a large oral syringe (no needle), and the number for poison control. (While you think of it, program that number into your phone now.) Put this bag in an easily accessible location where you always
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Can You For $1.00 or will be able to find it quickly. Think of it like a fire extinguisher. You need to get to it without losing time and need to always know where it will be and how to use it. Even if this does not seem like a challenge now, think about how you would feel if you found your dog cleaning up the remnants of a large chunk of bakers chocolate it found or a bowl of grapes. How clearly will you be thinking? What about someone else who might be in your house, perhaps a house sitter or mid-day dogwalker? It also is easy to grab to take along when you travel. Everything is together. This is the dog’s peroxide. It should stay sealed and be replaced by a new bottle when it expires. Your dog eats something it shouldn’t, grab the bag and everything is right there including directions to call poison control. BUT: Read on – there are times you absolutely should NOT use the peroxide to induce vomiting.
If the item swallowed is toxic and vomiting is appropriate: 1. Make sure no more than two hours has elapsed since the ingestion. If in doubt or close to two hours or more, head directly to an emergency vet. 2. Call poison control right away and await their guidance. (Be prepared to make payment as there may be a charge). You will be given a case number. Write that down as it will help your vet continue treatment for your dog. In most cases you do have some time to act, so wait for directions from poison control.
