Hypercalcemia is defined as abnormally elevated calcium levels in the blood. Of the various types of substances that are poisonous to dogs, there are those that include hypercalcemic agents. Hypercalcemic agents contain vitamin D, medically known as cholecalciferol, which works by raising the calcium content in blood serum to high toxic levels, resulting in cardiac arrhythmias, and then death. Hypercalcemic agents are popular for use in rodent poisons, since rodents do not have resistance to cholecalciferol. In most cases, poisons containing cholecalciferol must be directly consumed by an animal for it to fall ill, however the exception to this is when a dog eats a poisoned rodent.

Dogs that have consumed hypercalcemic poisons typically will not show immediate symptoms. Signs of poisoning may show 18 to 36 hours after the cholecalciferol containing poison was consumed. Left untreated, a dog can die from cholecalciferol poisoning and the resulting hypercalcemia. If the dog does survive, it will have elevated calcium levels for weeks after the poisoning, and this excess of calcium can lead to secondary health problems, like renal failure.

Symptoms

FatigueVomitingIncreased thirstFrequent urinationGeneralized weaknessSeizuresMuscle spasmsElevated blood serum calcium

Causes

The main cause of hypercalcemic poisoning is from the ingestion of rodent poison. If you suspect that your dog has come into contact with rat or mouse poison, and you are seeing some of the symptoms listed above, you will need to bring your dog to a veterinarian before your pet’s health becomes critical.

Keep in mind that outdoor dogs (or dogs that go outside frequently) are at risk of rodent poisoning. It might be in a neighbor’s yard, in a trash bag, or in an alleyway. Dogs that engage in chasing and killing rodents may also be susceptible to this type of poisoning. Even if you do not live in an area where rats or mice are a concern, rodent poison may be used for other common suburban pests like raccoons, opossums, or squirrels.

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your dog, taking into account your pet’s background medical history, onset of symptoms, and possible incidents that precipitated this condition. A complete blood profile will be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, and a complete blood count. Your veterinarian will conduct a blood test to check your dog’s calcium levels and presence of poison. If possible, you should take a sample of your pet’s vomit with you to the veterinarian, so that it can also be examined for the presence of poison. If you have the poison that your pet ingested, you should take that to your doctor as well.

Treatment

One of the side effects of hypercalcemic poisoning is dehydration, which can lead to organ failure and seizures. You will need to make sure that your dog is getting plenty of water, and is able to retain the water it is taking in. Increased salt can help to increase or maintain body fluid, as well as induce excretion by the kidney. Adding a small amount of salt to the water you are giving to your pet will encourage fluid retention. Your veterinarian will work on correcting your dog’s body fluids, electrolyte imbalances, and lowering the calcium levels using diuretics, prednisone, oral phosphorus binders, and a low calcium diet.

Living and Management

Dogs that have survived hypercalcemic agent poisoning may succumb to some long term side effects due to the high level of calcium in the blood and in the body’s organs. The kidneys, for instance, are commonly damaged as a result of hypercalcemia.

Prevention

The best prevention is to keep rodent poisons placed in areas that are not accessible to your dog, and to supervise your pet so that it does not get a hold of a rodent that may have ingested poison containing a hypercalcemic agent.

Anticoagulant Rodenticide Poisoning in Dogs

The purpose of an anticoagulant is to prevent the coagulation (clotting) of blood. These agents are commonly used in rat and mouse poisons, and are one of the most common household poisons, accounting for a large number of accidental poisoning among dogs. When ingested by an animal, anticoagulants block the synthesis of vitamin K, an essential component for normal blood clotting, which results in spontaneous and uncontrolled bleeding.

Normally, dogs that have mild anticoagulant poisoning will not show signs of poisoning for several days, but as the poison begins to affect the system, the dog will become weak and pale due to blood loss. The bleeding may be external; this may be displayed as a nose bleed, bloody vomit, or bleeding from the rectum. Dogs can also suffer from unseen internal bleeding; bleeding into the chest or abdomen, for example, is fatal if it not diagnosed in time.

Symptoms and Types

Here are some of the most common symptoms of anticoagulant poisoning:

Weak, wobbly, unstableNose bleedsBlood in vomitBlood in stoolsBleeding from rectumBruises and hematomas under the skinHemorrhages (excessive bleeding) in the gumsAscites (swelling of the belly) due to accumulation of blood in the abdomenDifficulty in breathing due to blood in the lungs (this will make a rattling or crackling sound)

Causes

The main cause of anticoagulant poisoning is from the ingestion of rodent poison. If you suspect that your dog has come into contact with rat or mouse poison, and you are seeing some of the symptoms listed above, you will need to bring your dog to a veterinarian before your pet’s health becomes critical.

Keep in mind that outdoor dogs (or dogs that go outside frequently) are at risk of rodent poisoning. It might be in a neighbor’s yard, in a trash bag, or in an alleyway. Dogs that engage in chasing and killing rodents may also be susceptible to this type of poisoning. Even if you do not live in an area where rats or mice are a concern, rodent poison may be used for other common suburban pests like raccoons, opossums, or squirrels.

Some of the main anticoagulant chemicals that can be found in rodent poisons (or other household products) are:

WarfarinHydroxycoumadinBrodifacoumBromadiolonePindoneDiphacinoneDiphenadioneChlorohacinone

The first kind of anticoagulants are cumulative poisons. These poisons contain warfarin and hydroxycoumadin as main anticoagulants and they require multiple feedings that take several days to kill a rodent.

The second type of anticoagulant is deadlier, killing rodents in a single serving dose rather than over time. These deadlier anticoagulant poisons contain indanedione class products, like pindone, diphacinone, diphenadione and chlorohacinone, all of which are extremely toxic. Rodenticides that contain the ingredients bromadiolone and brodifacoum, for example, are 50 to 200 times more poisonous than the kind that contain warfarin and hydroxycoumadin.

Another cause of anticoagulant poisoning in dogs is the accidental ingestion of medication. Heparin, a common drug for treating blood clotting in humans, can have a toxic effect on animals. Often, dogs that have access to medications will eat what they have found, either because the drugs are within reach, or because the drug cabinet is kept unlocked.

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your dog, taking into account the background history of symptoms and possible incidents that might have precipitated this condition. You will need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health and recent activities. A complete blood profile will be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis. In addition, your doctor will check the time it takes the dog’s blood to clot to determine to severity of the poisoning.

If you have a sample of the poison, you will need to take that with you to the veterinarian’s office; bringing samples of the dog’s vomit and/or stool may also be helpful.

Treatment

If your dog is suffering from spontaneous bleeding caused by anticoagulants, the treatment will involve administering fresh whole blood, or frozen plasma, in an amount determined by the rate and volume of the animal’s blood loss. Vitamin K, which is necessary for normal blood clotting, will be used specifically as an antidote, and will be given by subcutaneous (under the skin) injections, with repeated doses as necessary — by injection or even orally — until the blood clotting time returns to normal.

Do not induce vomiting unless you have been advised to do so by your veterinarian. Some poisons can cause more harm coming back through the esophagus than they did going down.

Living and Management

If your dog consumes a mild cumulative form of an anticoagulant, your dog may recover in a week, but if it was the lethal single dose anticoagulant, it may take up to a month.

Prevention

Anticoagulant poisoning can be prevented by keeping all poisons out of the reach of your pets. All other chemicals, drugs, and medications (especially blood thinning drugs) should also be kept out of your dog’s reach — ideally inside of a cabinet.

In cases of dog poisoning, the most common cause is unintentional overdosing of medications.

Prescription pet medication is easily overconsumed by dogs, since it is usually flavored to make it more appealing and easier to swallow. If these medications are kept in an accessible place, a pet will quickly and easily consume them.

Besides veterinary pills, the other common factor in drug poisoning is the administration of over-the-counter drugs by a dog owner without prior consultation from a veterinarian.

Many over-the-counter and prescription medications used for people are toxic to dogs. Additionally, what is not taken into account is that the same drug dose given to a human cannot be given to an animal. Incorrect dosages will often result in overdosing and drug poisoning.

Even as little as one dose of an acetaminophen (Tylenol®) pain reliever can cause severe organ damage in a medium-size dog. Because animals do not have the natural enzymes necessary for detoxifying and eliminating drugs made for humans, medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are a major cause of dog poisoning.

Symptoms

If you suspect your dog has had access to drugs, you will typically find evidence, whether it is an empty container or a box that has been torn apart, though you may need to look in your dog’s favorite hiding spots.

If your pet has begun vomiting before the entire pill or capsule has been digested, you may find whole pills, or the undigested exterior of a capsule. If the drug was liquid, it will be more difficult to differentiate the liquid drug from the rest of the content in the vomit.

The most useful information you can give your veterinarian is what type of drug was ingested by your pet. Even if you are not entirely sure how much of the drug was ingested, your pet’s doctor will have a point from which to begin treatment.

Bring any information you can with you to the veterinarian, such as the pill or liquid drug container, and any pills that you can find. Your veterinarian is not there to judge you; she just wants to know what your dog got ahold of so that she can treat him properly.

Dog poisoning symptoms include:

Vomiting

Lethargy

Abdominal pain

Loss of appetite

Excessive salivation

Lack of coordination

Bloody urine

Causes

Overdosing of veterinary pills

Consumption of human drugs including but not limited to:

Antihistamines

Sleeping tablets

Diet pills

Heart pills

Blood pressure pills

Ibuprofen

Acetaminophen

Diagnosis

You will need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health and recent activities. Your veterinarian will perform a comprehensive physical exam on your dog, taking into account their health history and the onset of symptoms.

She is also likely to recommend blood tests. Some drugs will affect the body quickly while others are more slow-acting, and this initial blood sample will act as a baseline to monitor progression or improvement.

Diagnosis and treatment will be wholly dependent on the symptoms and information you are able to give to your veterinarian, as well as your dog’s current behavior and the results from any tests your veterinarian conducts.

Treatment

Most importantly, do not induce vomiting in your dog, as this could cause further damage. Contact your veterinarian for guidance and next steps. 

Prevention

Always consult your veterinarian on the appropriate medication and the proper dosage for your dog. He or she will base this on your dog’s breed, size and age. Make sure you keep all drugs and medications—for pets and people—in a safe place that is not accessible to your pet, preferably in a locked cabinet.

Remember that pill bottles are child-proof, not dog-proof.

Raisins may seem like a harmless and healthy snack, but for dogs, they can cause a lot of trouble. Why are raisins bad for dogs if they’re fine for us to eat?

Here’s some valuable info on why dogs can’t eat raisins and what to do if you even suspect that your dog ate even one raisin.

Are Raisins Bad for Dogs? 

Raisins are toxic to dogs. They are just dehydrated grapes, which are also toxic to dogs. 

Do not give your dog raisins or raisin products, and make sure your dog does not have access to them at all times. Make sure that all family members and visitors know that raisins are toxic to dogs and should never be given to your dog.

Grape and raisin toxicity in dogs can cause serious kidney damage that can lead to acute (sudden) kidney failure, which can be fatal. The exact toxic substance in grapes and raisins is unknown, but it’s believed that it could be the inability of dogs to metabolize flavonoids, tannins, and monosaccharides from the grapes.  

Even bagels with raisins should not be given to dogs. Raisins and raisin products don’t provide any nutritional value that can’t be substituted with dog-safe fruits, such as apple slices. 

Should I Worry if My Dog Ate One Raisin? 

The toxic number of raisins is unknown, and it doesn’t affect all dogs the same. Based on known cases of grape toxicity in dogs, even one or a few grapes or raisins can cause acute kidney failure, which can be fatal.

Kidney failure is not seen in all dogs that eat raisins, but we don’t know why some dogs are affected excessively while others are not. But regardless, raisins are bad for any dog to consume, and you don’t know how your dog will react.

Signs of Raisin Toxicity in Dogs 

The onset of symptoms tends to occur between 12-24 hours after a dog eats raisins. Symptoms of raisin toxicity in dogs include:

Vomiting and/or diarrhea, often within a few hours of ingestion. You may see pieces of raisins in your dog’s stool or vomit.

Increased urination (initial stages)

Drinking a lot (initial stages)

Decreased urination or not urinating (sign of the kidneys shutting down)

Loss of appetite

Lethargy, weakness, or unusual quietness

Dehydration (Check by gently pulling up the skin at the back of your dog’s neck. If it doesn’t go back into place right away, your dog is dehydrated.)

Bad breath

What to Do if Your Dog Ate Raisins 

If your dog eats raisins, treat it as an emergency situation. Take your dog to your local veterinarian or pet emergency clinic for assistance.

Call the clinic to let them know you are coming and that your dog ate raisins or may have eaten raisins. You can also call the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 on the way to the vet’s office.

Do not induce vomiting if you have not been instructed to do so, and especially if you aren’t sure what your dog ate or if your dog is:

Unconscious

Having trouble breathing

Showing signs of serious distress or shock

Your dog may vomit on their own, but whether or not your dog vomits, you still need to go to the vet immediately.

What Will the Vet Do to Help a Dog That Ate Raisins?

The mainstay of treatment at the vet’s office starts with decontamination. Your veterinarian will try to induce vomiting to get the raisins out. Then they will give activated charcoal to help bind any leftover raisins in the stomach and absorb the toxin.

Expect that your dog may need to be hospitalized for 48 hours so the vet can give intravenous fluid therapy and monitor your dog’s kidneys through bloodwork.  

Featured Image: iStock.com/Almaje

WRITTEN BY

Hector Joy, DVM

Veterinarian

After graduating with a degree in Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University, Dr. Joy completed a 1-year internship in general canine and…