Dog poisoning incidents  on the increase

There has been a worrying spike in the number of dog poisoning incidents across our Fidelity ADT footprint recently, and dog owners are advised to be cautious and take note of these life saving tips for their beloved animals.

“Residents need to be extra vigilant and report any suspicious individuals or vehicles either to Fidelity ADT, the police or the authorities.

Usually we see a spike in house robberies following incidents of dog poisonings, so we all need to work together to ensure that your property is secure,” said Charnel Hattingh, marketing manager for Fidelity ADT.

Fidelity approached Dr Hannekom at Onderstepoort Academic Hospital to provide homeowners with the following advice, should they believe that their pet may have been poisoned.

 

• If you suspect your dog has been poisoned, please take them to the vet immediately. Some owners may try to treat the animals themselves; however, it is always better to seek professional veterinary assistance as soon as possible.
• Signs will vary depending on the type of poison swallowed. They can be as mild as lethargy, malaise, and weakness to gastrointestinal signs like vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, and nausea. More severe signs can include agitation, twitching, seizures, or even a coma.
• If your pet has started vomiting, gather a sample of it in a plastic bag and take it with you to your vet immediately. It may be used for testing and analysis. Dr Hannekom says please never induce vomiting without consulting the vet first. 
• Try to stay calm and move your dog to a safe area. Check if your dog is breathing. If not, you may need to perform CPR before taking the dog to the vet. 
• If your dog begins to convulse, also move them to a safe area where they won’t cause injury to themselves. 
• Aldicarb, also known as two-step or Temik, is a commonly used poison. It looks like little black poppy seeds and is granular in appearance. Hannekom says it is highly toxic. Do not touch it with your bare hands – wear gloves when removing the poison from your property. Criminals usually hide it in meat so that dogs easily consume it.

It is vital that any incidents of dog poisonings be reported to the SAPS immediately. “All poison cases must be reported to the local SAPS with a request for them to investigate the case and remove any suspected poison residues or bait from your property. A poisoning incident is a crime and should therefore always be reported.”

Press release: Fidelity ADT by Cathy Findley Public Relations