Suspected poison bait: spotting the symptoms and acting fast
If your dog may have eaten a poison bait, every minute counts. Here's how to recognise the signs of poisoning and give the right first aid.
A poison bait is a piece of food deliberately prepared with rat poison, slug pellets, medication or other toxic substances – sometimes even with nails or razor blades hidden inside. If you suspect your dog has eaten something like this, every minute counts. The faster you act, the better your dog's chances.
How to recognise poisoning
The signs depend on the poison and range from mild to life-threatening. Common ones are repeated vomiting, diarrhoea (sometimes bloody), heavy drooling, trembling, muscle cramps and restlessness – or, on the contrary, unusual listlessness. Staggering, breathing difficulties, pale gums, a racing heartbeat or unconsciousness can also occur.