18 Oct Dog Poisoning With Plants and Its Treatment

Onion and garlic poisoning are some of the most common poisonings in dogs and cats. Onions and garlic are two plants in the genus Allium that belong to the Lilies family. These plants have long been used in cooking and medicine and are still widely used in the food, pharmaceutical and medical industries. All species of allium plants and all products made from these plants can be toxic to dogs and cats. Even the flowers of this family are allergic and can cause skin inflammation, so species of this plant are of particular interest in toxicology.

Causes of poisoning in dogs

• an onion
• Garlic
• shallot
• leek or scallion

These plants retain their toxic properties for small and even large livestock in any case (raw, cooked, powdered, dried, etc.). You should note that small animals are more susceptible to poisoning by these plants, and cats are more sensitive than others. But due to more strict food choices than dogs, they are less vulnerable to this poisoning.

When the accumulation of these substances in the animal’s body becomes so high that the body’s antioxidant systems can’t deal with all of them, they damage the wall of red blood cells. They cause the destruction of these blood cells and anemia in the animal. This type of anemia is called hemolytic anemia of the Heinz bodies type (formation of Heinz bodies at the edge of red blood cells in cats with onion poisoning).

Symptoms of poisoning with onion and garlic

This poisoning usually appears 1 to 2 days after eating a sufficient amount of this plant (15 to 30 grams per kilogram of dogs and 5 grams per kilogram of body weight in cats).

visible symptoms

• Weakness
• Pain in the abdomen
• Lack of appetite
• Irregular heartbeat
• Difficulty breathing
• Diarrhea
• Depression
• Jaundice in the mucous membranes and turbid urine (reddish)

Significant laboratory signs 

• Presence of hemoglobin in the urine (hemoglobinuria)
• Increased plasma hemoglobin (hemoglobinemia)
• Increase in plasma bilirubin (bilirubinemia)
• Presence of urinary hemoglobin or hemosiderin in the renal tubules (hemoglobin or hemosiderin deposits in the ureters)

These problems are due to the destructive properties of these substances on tissues, especially red blood cells. They cause the destruction of hemoglobin in the structure of red blood cells, and as a result, the oxygen transfer process carried out by hemoglobin is disrupted.

Treatment of onion and garlic poisoning in dogs

Treatment of allium species poisoning is done by taking the dog’s history (especially in the case of food eaten), clinical signs, and finally, microscopic confirmation of the presence of hemolytic anemia of the Heinz bodies type.

It would help distinguish it from diseases such as acetaminophen, benzocaine, vitamin K3, methionine, naphthalene, zinc and copper poisoning. There’s no specific treatment for this poisoning, and the treatments are a supportive cure.

The veterinarian first treats the disease by clearing the gastrointestinal tract and eliminating the primary plant source in the stomach by inducing vomiting. However, it’s only possible if the animal is referred to a veterinarian no later than 2 hours after eating the poisonous plant or food. You can then use activated charcoal tablets orally to inactivate residual toxins as much as possible and reduce their toxicity.

In animals with acute poisoning, blood transfusions with adequate oxygen delivery (due to acute shortness of breath) can be used. When a dog is dehydrated due to diarrhea and vomiting, or when symptoms such as blood in the urine are seen, the veterinarian can use intravenous fluid therapy with one of the crystalloid fluids along with vitamin E (as an antioxidant). Acetylcysteine, a specific antidote to acetaminophen poisoning, can also be used.

Having a proper diet and being compatible with the physiological structure of the dog’s body is one of the most critical factors in keeping a pet. It’s also much easier and less expensive than any treatment. Therefore, you should note that you shouldn’t use garlic, leeks or shallots in large amounts of onions to feed the animal. Pay attention that the storage of these materials in the house should always be out of the animal’s reach. You can count on Mishkagrooming’s specialized team throughout the grooming, cleanliness, health, training and feeding your beautiful dogs. Our groomers guarantee your dog’s health and beauty with great precision and delicacy.