Poisons and their Remedies
Poisoning by Arsenic—By Antimony—Strychnine—Phosphorus—Rat and Other Vermin-Killers—By Lead—Mercury—Ptomaine Poisoning
POISONING BY ARSENIC
Very small quantities of this drug are capable of bringing on a fatal inflammation of the stomach and bowels, and it is only prescribed in the most minute doses.
Fowler's Solution of Arsenic is the compound generally selected for administration of the drug in the liquid form, the average dose of it for the larger sporting dogs being 10 drops. Arsenious acid or white arsenic is an extremely cheap compound, and one that enters largely into the composition of many sheep-dips, a fact that it may be worth while to bear in mind should a dog be poisoned in a manner, suspiciously regarded.
This same poison is not uncommonly used for the destruction of rats and other vermin, though the facilities for obtaining it are, to a great extent, a barrier against its frequent employment for such purposes.
Arsenic is a corrosive and irritant poison, producing vomiting, dysentery, acute pain within the belly, thirst, prostration, and a speedy but painful death.
As a rule, dogs poisoned by arsenic die, only the mildest forms making recovery.
Under any circumstances it is advisable to seek the assistance of a M.R.C.V.S., acting in accordance with his instructions.
In the absence of professional aid, provided the animal is not too much exhausted, an emetic should be given, and for this purpose there is nothing more suitable than 20 grains of white vitriol (sulphate of zinc), or the same quantity of blue vitriol (sulphate of copper), mixed with a couple of tablespoonfuls of tepid water. If neither of these agents are handy, use mustard, salt, and water.
Teaspoonful doses of brandy, mixed with the same quantity of olive or salad oil, can be given at frequent intervals.
Twenty-drop doses of chlorodyne, may be added if the pain is severe.
Hot fomentations to the belly will do good.
ANTIMONY
The compound of this element most commonly in use for medicinal purposes is that known as tartar emetic—an exceedingly active poison. Minute doses are sometimes prescribed in order to induce vomiting, and in bronchial complaints to produce expectoration.
The symptoms and treatment are practically on a par with those laid down for arsenic. Vomiting and extreme depression of the vital powers are specially significant symptoms.
Both arsenic and antimony have their special antidotes, though even these are of very doubtful efficacy.
STRYCHNINE
Although a difficult poison to procure from any source, it is surprising the number of dogs that are annually poisoned by this agent.
In appearance, strychnine is a harmless-looking crystalline (or powdered) white solid, the most minute particles readily inducing muscular spasms and death.
Strychnine also occurs in the form of a buff-coloured powder, known as nux vomica, the alkaloid or active principle being strychnine.
Many gamekeepers make use of strychnine for destroying such birds as hooded crows, etc.
Farmers now and then soak maize in a solution of strychnine, in order to destroy crows in a wholesale manner.
We merely mention these facts, as showing the various sources from which a dog might accidentally get poisoned.
In a very few minutes after swallowing strychnine the dog becomes convulsed all over. The muscular spasms may completely render the dog paralytic; in fact, this usually happens. Quick and laboured breathing is soon followed by complete collapse.
So rapidly does strychnine—especially if the dog has taken a few grains—produce death, that there is seldom much chance for the employment of remedial agents, or to call professional assistance.
If there seems reasonable hopes of recovery, call in a qualified veterinary surgeon at once. Twenty grains of chloral hydrate, 25 grains each of potassium, iodide and bromide, in water, can be used in the meantime.
PHOSPHORUS
It is hardly necessary to go beyond mentioning the possibility of poisoning by this agent.
It is a constituent of so-called "phosphor paste" largely used for the destruction of vermin, such as rats and mice.
Dogs have been known to partake of it, usually ending in death.
A most important matter is to avoid giving the dog any oily substances, if poisoned by this element.
RAT AND OTHER VERMIN KILLERS
We have already spoken of phosphorus being the active agent in some of these compounds. Barium and arsenic are likewise employed. Most of these being proprietary articles, their exact composition is not of any particular interest.
Sickness, thirst, severe pain and prostration, are chief amongst the symptoms produced by such agents.
Empty stomach with an emetic; give small doses of brandy in water, along with 40 grains of carbonate of bismuth, every three hours, or oftener.
Keep dog quiet, and apply hot dry flannels to the belly continuously.
LEAD
The most likely method for lead-poisoning to occur in a dog is through the animal licking paint, or drinking out of a leaden vessel.
It is an uncommon form of poisoning in the dog. Lead poisoning can be either "acute" or "chronic," and is denoted by colicky pains, constipation and a blue line around the gums. Paralysis and other nervo-muscular signs supervene.
Give half an ounce of Epsom's salts until bowels are freely open, and later on, 5 grains of iodide of potash night and morning.
Warm fomentations to belly.
MERCURY
Mercurial poisoning but seldom occurs, and when it does, it is chiefly the result of the continued medicinal use of the drug, or as an over-dose.
Dogs seem particularly susceptible to the action of mercurial compounds, so that this drug requires to be given with circumspection.
An excessive discharge of saliva from the mouth and loosening of the teeth are amongst the most prominent signs.
PTOMAINE POISONING
To this class belongs various organic poisons produced in food substances (fish, etc.), as the result of fermentative changes, arising through the presence of bacteria or other minute living organisms.
Although cases of ptomaine poisoning are more frequently met with in the human subject, there is a possibility of the occurrence of such in the dog.
Empty stomach with an emetic, say 20 grains of white vitriol and given in two tablespoonfuls of tepid water.