Did Your Dog Just Eat Something Potentially Dangerous? Emergency How-To

If you've ever had a dog, you know of their uncanny proclivity for satisfying their curiosity using the sense of taste. Basically, some dogs will eat just about anything given the opportunity. Usually, this trait is relatively harmless aside from the occasional shoe casualty. But in some instances, this behavior will trigger panic in the doting dog owner.

I know this panic-inducing eventuality first-hand. A few years ago one of our two dogs managed to ingest a few vials of asthma medication designed for use in a nebulizer. The problems were two-fold. First, it was after mid-night and most veterinarians keep banker's hours. Second, we didn't know which dog had done it. Expecting the worst and fearing the morning conversation with my sons, we headed across town, dogs in tow, to the only 24-hour emergency vet clinic within a 50 mile radius.

And then true frustration set in. The vet on duty didn't know what the medication would do to the dog. Apparently there was a reason he was given the graveyard shift. He couldn't reach his colleague for advise and hesitated to treat the animals without more information. He choose to simply monitor the animals...for the next six hours. Finally, we got the answer and the bill. Turns out the medication is actually used in some instances to treat dogs with a specific condition. It also turns out that this vet apparently charged by the hour and per dog. In the end, it cost us about $400 to find out that our animals were never in danger in the first place.

Despite how it turned out, I must admit that in similar circumstances I would likely follow the same course of action again. However, I have subsequently learned of another course of action that would have allowed me to make going to the vet at midnight plan B.

Recently a friend discovered that his dachshund has ingested at least 50 capsules of fish oil after chewing the cap off. While my friend admits that he knew the fish oil wouldn't kill the dog, he immediately had nightmarish visions of days spent carpet cleaning, disinfecting and air freshening as the fish oil did its work. Like any responsible dog owner operating during the day, he called his vet. The vet recommended a simple, readily available home remedy.

My friend quickly cordoned the dog into a bathroom sans rugs and administered a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide in not-so-eager anticipation for what was to come. Within five minutes, the dog was losing his lunch as though he had just hit the discount seafood buffet. Thirty minutes later, the presumedly dehydrated animal was none-the-worse for wear and all was well.

I have since researched this home remedy and have learned of a few things:

First, always call your vet first. In the two examples of random dog ingestion illustrated here, this remedy is suitable, but obviously your particular situation may be unique.

Second, if your dog is large, double the dose.

Finally, stand back for a few minutes and make sure that whatever triggered the need initially is now outside the dog.

And the next time your dog feels the need to chew on something, give him a flip-flop.

Your comments and personal experiences are welcomed.