How to Induce Vomiting in Your Dog
The Basics of How and When to Force Regurgitation in a Poisoned Pet
A dog’s world is filled with deadly toxins and poisons. Plants, foods and medications are present in and around every home and even the most cautious pet owner may end up facing a situation where their dog has ingested a toxic substance.
Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, has encountered many cases of toxicity in dogs over the years and he recently offered advice on when and how to induce vomiting in pets.
When To Induce Vomiting in a Dog
As a general rule, pet owners should only induce vomiting at the advice of a poison control professional or veterinarian.
Appropriate situations for inducing vomiting generally include:
- If the dog has ingested anti-freeze within the past two hours.
- If the dog has ingested a toxic food within the past two hours.
- If the dog has ingested a toxic plant within the past two hours.
- If the dog has ingested a toxic dose of medication within the past two hours.
In order to induce vomiting, the animal must be fully conscious, breathing without difficulty and free of seizures.
Vomiting should never be induced in a dog who has ingested a caustic substance such as bleach or drain cleaner, or if he has ingested an object.
How to Induce Vomiting in a Dog
There are several methods that a veterinarian or poison control center staff may recommend.
The following is among the most common and effective methods for inducing vomiting in a pet at home:
- Feed the dog blackened toast: This will help neutralize some of the toxins, while also absorbing some of the poison. It’s much easier to induce vomiting when there is substance present in the stomach. Achieving emesis in a dog with only fluids in the stomach is more difficult.
- Give 3% Hydrogen Peroxide: Within five minutes of feeding the toast, give the dog one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide per each 10 pounds of body weight.
- Repeat if vomiting has not occurred: Give the dog ten minutes to vomit. If vomiting does not occur, give another dose of hydrogen peroxide. Continue this process until the dog vomits, which typically occurs within 10 to 20 minutes of the initial dose of hydrogen peroxide.
- Get the pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible: Vomiting will only remove 40 to 60 percent of the stomach’s contents. And the more time that has elapsed, the more toxin the body will have the opportunity to absorb. Additional measures such as giving activated charcoal, or pumping the dog’s stomach may be necessary, combined with supportive care to help minimize the effects of the toxin.
In the event that there is no hydrogen peroxide available, vomiting can be induced using table salt by following the same method. The approximate dose is one large teaspoon of salt per 15 pounds of body weight.
Other substances, such syrup of ipecac can also be utilized to induce vomiting, but this method should only be employed under the explicit direction of a veterinarian.
Dr. Levine cautioned, “Ipecac is one of those substances that can be toxic in and of itself. If used incorrectly, a well-intentioned dog owner can end up killing their dog, so it’s vital that if you keep ipecac on-hand, you only use it under a veterinarian’s supervision. And be ready to rush your pet to the vet, because once vomiting starts, it usually doesn’t stop easily when ipecac has been administered. So supportive care is almost always necessary to ensure a complete recovery.”
Related Reading:
* The ASPCA Poison Control Center
