RCMP investigate possible poisoning of service dog
Veterinarians believe Longview dogs may have ingested acetaminophen
It took two years for Longview’s Charlotte Judd to find a pooch with the characteristics needed to replace her cherished service dog, Shiloh.
But now Sampson, a 10-monthold Pyrenees cross, who looked as if he could fill those large paw prints, may never fully recover from a suspected poisoning over the weekend.
The incident left the dog and the family’s other four-legged friend, Quinn, in serious peril.
What began as a rare motherdaughter day on Saturday turned into a nightmare when the duo returned to their home in the town about 85 kilometres southwest of Calgary.
Judd and her 21-year-old daughter, Michaela, returned home expecting to find their eager canine companions waiting in their backyard, but it became clear something was amiss shortly after they went inside.
“Sampson was lying on the floor and his belly was making weird noises and he was whimpering and crying and scratching at both of his eyes,” said Judd, who is mobility impaired from several afflictions including lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome and severe arthritis.
“Then Sampson opened his mouth and I noticed his tongue was pitch black.”
The 80-pound dog then collapsed, and the mother and daughter struggled to load the barely conscious animal into their vehicle to take him to an emergency veterinary clinic in Okotoks.
Leaving Sampson in the care of the clinic, they again returned home about 5 a.m. only to find Quinn, a two-year-old border collie-kelpie cross, was also struggling, though not to the same degree, prompting a return trip to the clinic.
Judd said veterinarians were puzzled, but the next day when she and her daughter were cleaning up vomit left behind by Sampson, they discovered bacon bits, even though there weren’t any in the house. At nearly the same time, doctors came to the conclusion the dogs may have consumed Tylenol, which Judd said wasn’t accessible to her dogs.
Acetaminophen is extremely toxic for dogs, and can be deadly if the dosage is high enough. It also can lead to severe and permanent liver damage.
Turner Valley RCMP is now investigating what may be a potential poisoning in the town of just over 300 residents.
On Wednesday, Quinn returned home in relatively good spirits and health, Judd said, though Sampson remains at the veterinarian and may have suffered permanent damage to his liver and eyes, which remain extremely red and swollen.
Adding to the stress, Judd was laid off last month from her job as a vehicle detailer, and she’s already had to dip into funds set aside for household bills to cover her dogs’ medical costs.
A Go Fund Me campaign has been launched by Judd’s friends in hopes of covering the costs. The campaign is already near its $3,500 goal.
Judd said she’s praying both dogs, whom she and her daughter consider family members, will fully recover from the ordeal. She added she’s also concerned it may happen again.
“It’s just been very traumatic and stressful,” she said. “We’re just very wary now for when both the dogs are home. I’m terrified this could happen again.”
Anyone with information about the incident can call Turner Valley RCMP at 403-933-4262 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800222-8477.
It’s just been very traumatic and stressful. We’re just very wary now for when both the dogs are home. I’m terrified this could happen again.