You can also do a “capillary refill time” test to determine if a poison is impeding your dog’s blood circulation. Lift the upper lip and press above a canine tooth with your thumb. Release your thumb then watch for a color change where you pressed. The gum color should change from white to pink within two seconds [2] X Research source If there is significant delay (more than three seconds), check with your veterinarian.
You can check your dog’s heart rate by placing your hand on the left side of its chest, behind its elbow, and then feeling for the heart beat. Count how many heart beats you feel in 15 seconds and multiply that number by four to get the beats per minute. [3] X Research source If you have enough foresight, write down your dog’s normal pulse rate in a dog journal for future reference. Some dog’s heartbeats beat faster by nature.
Ask a partner to help take your dog’s temperature. One person should hold the dog’s head while the other inserts the thermometer into the dog’s rectum, which is found directly under the tail. Lubricate the thermometer end with petroleum jelly or water based lubricant like K-Y. Use a digital thermometer.
You can determine your dog’s respiratory rate by watching the dog’s chest and counting how many breaths they take in 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to get the breaths per minute. The appropriate respiratory rate of a dog is 10-30 breaths per minute.
Do not give your dog any liquids after ingesting a poisonous substance. Doing so, may help disseminate the poison throughout the body faster. [9] X Research source
If you suspect your dog ingested a poisonous product, check the back label of the packaging for warning disclaimers. Most products with toxic ingredients will list a company telephone number that customers can call for advice. Here is a list of commonly ingested poisonous substances: Wild mushrooms (need to check individually in a reference text) Moldy walnuts Oleander Lilies/bulbs Dieffenbachia Foxglove Household cleaning products Snail Bait (metaldehyde based) Pesticides Herbicides Some fertilizers Chocolate (particularly dark or baker’s chocolate) Xylitol (sugarless gum) Macadamia nuts Onions Grapes/raisins Yeast dough Alcohol[11] X Research source
Do not induce vomiting unless instructed. In general, after 2 hours, the substance is already out of the stomach. [15] X Research source Bates, Nicola, and Nick Edwards. “Emetics In The Management Of Poisoning. " Companion Animal 19. 8 (2014): 433-436. Also, if your pet is having trouble breathing, is staggering, or is partially conscious, do not induce vomiting because they might choke on their own vomit. [15] X Research source
