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Pesticide Poisoning in Dogs
Written By Wag! Staff
Published: 06/23/2016Updated: 09/24/2024
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
What is Pesticide Poisoning?
Pesticide poisoning occurs when your pet consumes or inhales a pesticide. Unfortunately, exposure to pesticides is an all too common problem for our canine companions, in large part because pesticides are readily used in and around the
home as well as in public areas.
Pesticides are either chemical or natural substances designed to kill pests. These agents are created to eliminate a range of unwanted predators and substances, including insects, plants, fungi, rodents, larvae, and bacteria. Unfortunately, pesticides are prevalent; they are found in a variety of places such as in homes, garages, on farms, in sheds, in the yard, and on plants.
If your dog has come into contact with a very small amount of pesticide, such as a whiff of spray from a spray can, general irritation may occur and may not be cause for alarm. However, if your dog is showing any signs of distress or if you know they have ingested a form of pesticide, it's vital to seek veterinary treatment as soon as possible.
Pesticide Poisoning Average Cost
From 23 quotes ranging from $300 - $6,000
Average Cost
$950
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Symptoms of Pesticide Poisoning in Dogs
Since there are many types of pesticides, there are a wide variety of symptoms due to poisoning. The potential symptoms of pesticide poisoning in dogs include:
- Vomiting
- Rapid breathing
- Distress
- Diarrhea
- Drooling
- Confusion
- Excessive drinking
- Inadequate blood clotting and internal bleeding
- Loss of appetite
- Pawing at the face or eyes
- Dilation of pupils
- Lethargy
- Tremors
- Skin irritations and rashes
- Burns
- Seizures
- Arrhythmia
- Collapse
- Coma
- Death
Types
There are many types of pesticides available for use around the home. These include:
- Herbicides, used to kill unwanted plants or vegetation
- Insecticides, used to kill insects
- Rodenticides, used to kill rats and mice
- Fungicides, used to kill fungi
- Bactericides, such as disinfectants or antiseptics to kill bacteria
- Larvicides, used to kill mosquitoes or larvae
Causes of Pesticide Poisoning in Dogs
The cause of poisoning is the ingestion or inhalation of a specific type of pesticide. However, the way in which your pet is affected will vary depending on the type of pesticide involved and the amount consumed.
For example, carbamate insecticides affect nerve impulse transmission, while organophosphates disrupt the nervous system and can cause muscle twitches, convulsions, and paralysis. Pyrethrins and pyrethroids, commonly used in spot-on flea and tick insecticides for dogs, can also affect the nervous system if ingested or if applied in large doses.
Diagnosis of Pesticide Poisoning in Dogs
If you suspect your dog has come into contact with a pesticide, take them to the veterinarian straight away. Be sure to tell the vet about your dog’s history of contact with any pesticide, even if you only have a suspicion they may have ingested or inhaled any of the compound. And if you have access to packaging for the pesticide your dog has come into contact with, bring it with you to help your vet make an accurate diagnosis.
The veterinarian will perform a physical examination including blood cell counts, urinalysis, and a biochemistry profile. The biochemistry profile will be used to evaluate the function of your dog’s kidneys, pancreas, and liver. Another very important part of evaluating your dog will be the careful monitoring of their clinical signs. The vet may also test your dog’s electrolyte levels to be sure the poisoning is not causing dehydration or an electrolyte balance abnormality.
If you are certain that your dog ingested a type of pesticide, your vet may choose to begin treatment immediately while still waiting on the results of testing. Each situation is different, and your vet is trained to look at the signs and make a diagnosis of toxicity.
Treatment of Pesticide Poisoning in Dogs
The treatment of pesticide poisoning varies depending on the type of pesticide your dog ingested and the severity of their symptoms. Treatment may include the following methods:
Removal of residue
If your dog has come into contact with the pesticide on their skin and fur, they will need bathing to remove any pesticide residue. Your vet will use a suitable shampoo or detergent to effectively remove the pesticide from your pet's skin and coat.
Emesis
If your dog ingested a pesticide that is not a hydrocarbon, the veterinarian may induce vomiting to help remove the poison from their system. It is important to not induce vomiting if the dog has consumed hydrocarbons since aspiration into the lungs can occur. Similarly, if your dog is collapsed or comatose, inducing vomiting may not be safe.
Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal may be given to absorb the toxic substances that have been left over, even after vomiting. This helps prevent the poison from entering your dog’s system.
Drugs
Depending on the type of pesticide ingested, the veterinarian will make the decision on the types of medications that are needed. For example, atropine is used in many cases of poisoning to stabilize the central nervous system. Muscle relaxants and anti seizure medicine may also be required in some cases.
IV fluids and oxygen therapy
IV fluids may be given if the dog is dehydrated, and oxygen therapy is effective in assisting the dog with breathing during times of respiratory distress.
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Recovery of Pesticide Poisoning in Dogs
Recovery from poisoning varies depending on the type of pesticide, the amount ingested, and the response time for treatment. If your dog has positively responded to treatment, your veterinarian may want to keep a watchful eye on them for at least 24 hours. Your veterinary staff will tell you any information you need in regards to your dog’s recovery and prognosis.
Since there are many types of pesticides, the severity of the toxicity will vary, as will the recovery process. If your dog is recovering at home, it is important to contact your vet if any worrying signs or symptoms develop. Your vet will give you instructions on your dog’s ongoing care and management, and may also want to see your pet at a follow-up appointment to be sure they are recovering properly.
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Pesticide Poisoning Average Cost
From 23 quotes ranging from $300 - $6,000
Average Cost
$950
Top
Pesticide Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Husky
Seven Years
18 found this helpful
18 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Seizures
My dog was diagnosed with Epilepsy approximately 5 month ago and since then she has been taking phenobarbital twice a day in the higher dose. Since she began her treatment her seizures stop buy last night they began like never before. She is having a seizure every 3 to 4 hours and I’m desperate.
Nov. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
18 Recommendations
I'm sorry that is happening to your dog. It is not uncommon for dogs to start to have seizures even when they seem controlled on phenobarbital. If the seizures are not stopping, she needs to be seen at an ER, as they will have intravenous medications to give her to help her. This may not be a long-term problem, it may be just a breakthrough problem, and they will be able to let you know if they are able to get things controlled again.
Nov. 26, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Mutt
Eleven Years
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Noisy Breathing
He's breathing hard and winning his back legs keep collapsing and is in pain
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
7 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
If he is not able to stand on his back legs, and he seems to be in pain, he needs to see a veterinarian right away. They will be able to examine him and see what might be causing this problem, and get treatment for him so that he feels better.
Oct. 9, 2020
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Pug
Thirteen Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Noisy Breathing
Dog walked into raid being sprayed and now is licking his paws like crazy and panting
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
I hope that your pet is feeling better. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 22, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Street dog(stays with us)
1.5 year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swelling Of Mouth
We got some info saying that some people feed pesticides(used to remove unwanted crops in farm) to dogs in our home town. Its been a week. suddenly its neck got swollen 2 days ago. Now its left cheek and jaw is getting swollen. Can you suggest something abt it...??
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
I hope that your pet is feeling better. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 23, 2020
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Labrador Husky
7 weeks
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Not Eating Or Drinking. Can Hardly Move. Weak Just Laying Around Can’T Stand On His Own
What could I do to help him
Aug. 31, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
5 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I'm sorry that your puppy is not feeling well. Young puppies are very prone to infectious diseases like parvovirus. Your puppy needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away. They will be able to do a simple test, see what might be going on with your puppy, and let you know what sort of treatment needs to happen. I hope that he is okay.
Aug. 31, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Boxer
Cal
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Incontinence
We have a nearly one year old male boxer. We live in a large fenced yard where he does not have access to anything outside of our yard. He has however eaten some June bugs and those bugs have been killed or maimed with a pesticide. My dog wet the bed last night and had difficulty controlling his bladder later in the night. What should we do?
Yorkshire Terrier
Ares
13 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Loss Of Balance
Restless
Rash
Tires Easily
Insomnia
Irritated Eyes
Pressing Head Into Wall
Puts Weight On Front Legs
After reading this I really suspect my dog suffered from pesticide poisoning. I took him to emergency and got full blood work done. The only thing they could determine was that his urine was diluted and his white blood cell count was really high. They referred me to a neurologist. I asked the vet to prescribe my dog pain killers until I can get him to the neurologist. After two doses of the gabapentin my 13 year old yorkie is close to back to normal. I suspect that he did have pesticide poisoning because the week before he stayed with a family member that was doing serious extermination activities.
Read more at: https://wagwalking.com/condition/pesticides-poisoning#_=_
Black Labrador
Max
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Seizures
Max has had 4 seizures. I read recently that this flea med has a pesticide in it and has been known to cause seizures. He has had a MRI scan awhich come back clear and bloods. But his lumbar puncture had some blood in it? As you can imagine we are very concerned and don't want to put him on any meds that he doesn't need? Any advice would be appreciated!
Beagle
Betty
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Shaking
Lethargy
Tired
Anxiety
Peeing Inside
Refusal
We keep getting ants at our backdoor, and so we've sprayed a bug repellent around the outside barrier. Just a whiff of the bug spray had my dog refusing to go outside, and staying completely out of the kitchen. She's been bunkering in different corners of the house, and i don't understand why shes scared of the smell. I'm not sure if she's been poisoned, but she is definitely freaking out, and i don't know how to have her overcome this fear.
Golden Doodle
Gouda
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Excessive Drinking
I sprayed some Raid Ant & Roach Spray on an old bag that was covered in ants. I left the bag outside and about 3 hours later my dog found a ball in the bag and was chewing on it for a solid 10 minutes before I realized where he got it from. 95% sure the ball had spray on it. I rinsed out his mouth as best I could with water and he’s been drinking more than usual but as far as I can tell there are no other symptoms. Should I take him to the vet immediately or wait it out a little? What should I look for? Has anybody had experience with this spray and their dog before?
Pesticide Poisoning Average Cost
From 23 quotes ranging from $300 - $6,000
Average Cost
$950
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
