My dog ​​ate an “digitalis”. What should I do?

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Call Your Veterinarian or Emergency Pet Clinic Immediately

Digitalis is a highly toxic plant that can cause serious cardiac issues in dogs, including slowed heart rate, irregular heartbeat, and even cardiac arrest.

Symptoms to Watch For:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Lethargy
  • Weakness
  • Confusion
  • Seizures
  • Abnormal heart rate or rhythm
  • Sudden collapse

Steps to Take:

  1. Induce vomiting: If your dog ingested digitalis within the past 30-60 minutes, your veterinarian may recommend inducing vomiting to remove the toxin.
  2. Administer activated charcoal: Activated charcoal can help absorb the toxin in the stomach and prevent it from being absorbed into the bloodstream.
  3. Provide IV fluids: Intravenous fluids can help support hydration and electrolyte balance.
  4. Monitor cardiac function: Your veterinarian will closely monitor your dog’s heart rate and rhythm using an ECG (electrocardiogram).
  5. Administer medications: Antidotes or medications may be given to counteract the effects of digitalis on the heart.
  6. Hospitalize overnight: Depending on the severity of the poisoning, your dog may need to be hospitalized for observation and treatment.

Prognosis:

The prognosis for dogs who have ingested digitalis depends on the amount consumed, the time since ingestion, and the severity of the symptoms. Early intervention and aggressive treatment can improve the chances of survival.

Prevention:

The best way to prevent digitalis poisoning is to keep it away from dogs altogether. Digitalis is found in various plants, including foxglove, bells of Ireland, and yellow oleander. Be aware of these plants if you have a dog and keep them trimmed or removed from your yard.

The article was created by AI.

We received responses from Google Gemini to the following questions.

My dog ​​ate an “digitalis”. What should I do? Answers should be in English.

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