Poisoned dogs returned to owner after treatment and recovery
TWO dogs returned home to their grateful owner in Khayelitsha last week, following intensive care at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, after the dogs, along with a stray dog in the area, were poisoned.
On Father’s Day, Khayelitsha resident Lennox Tyala awoke to find his canine companions Venge and Ferguson, as well as a well-known stray dog, who visited him from time to time, in an advanced state of distress.
He immediately loaded all three dogs into his vehicle and rushed them to the SPCA.
Head veterinarian Dr Esté Spies found that all three dogs presented with excessive salivating and signs of respiratory distress.
An initial examination found rapid heartbeats and their temperatures exceeding 40°C.
The dogs appeared to have ingested poison, and hospital staff were in a race against time to save them. All three were placed on oxygen, given IV fluids, and emergency medicine was administered to counteract the effect of organophosphates in their systems.
Activated charcoal was also given to keep their bodies from absorbing the poison, as it passed through their digestive tract. Ice packs were placed strategically, to help bring their temperature down.
As the treatment began taking effect, the dogs were admitted into the intensive-care unit for ongoing monitoring and treatment.
“Poisoning affects the liver and kidneys, and while all three patients were showing signs of improvement, the chance for relapse still loomed.
“Unfortunately, our worst fears were realised when the stray dog, who we called Victor, relapsed and, despite our further efforts, succumbed to the effect of the poison and passed away,” the organisation said.
Tyala came to collect Venge and Ferguson on Tuesday, following their recovery.
The SPCA’s Dr Stephanie Chatry said the signs of poisoning depend on the type of poison ingested. “Ingesting rodenticide (rat poison) may only result in clinical signs three to five days after the ingestion of the poison, and would result in bleeding tendencies, respiratory difficulties, and a bloated abdomen, at which point it may be too late to treat the animal.
“Malicious or accidental poisoning with organophosphates (two-step) or snail bait may result in acute death ... or if a lesser amount is eaten by the animal, may cause dilated pupils, foaming at the mouth, muscle twitching, which then progresses to seizures, respiratory failure and death,” said Chatry.
Dogs should be taken to the closest vet immediately if poisoning is suspected.