What to Do When a Dog Is Poisoned by Amphetamine

2024-09-13 | Hit：

Dogs usually come into contact with amphetamine accidentally. Pills may accidentally fall on the ground, and then your pet may find and eat them. Sometimes, amphetamine is intentionally given to dogs as a way to reduce their hyperactivity. Unfortunately, amphetamine has a different effect on dogs than it does on people with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. The most commonly affected pets are young dogs.

Symptoms of amphetamine toxicity in dogs
Signs of amphetamine toxicity in dogs may include:

Restlessness
Hyperactivity
Whole body tremors
Seizures
Timely veterinary treatment is crucial and will give your pet a better chance of a full recovery. If left untreated, amphetamine poisoning can be fatal.
Diagnostic methods for amphetamine poisoning in dogs
Diagnosis of dogs is usually based on physical examination results such as high blood pressure, hyperactivity, rapid heartbeat, and dilated pupils. Obtaining a history of your dog's exposure to amphetamine drugs is very important.
A diagnosis can be made by testing whether the dog's stomach contents, blood, and urine contain amphetamine. However, treatment must begin before these tests are completed because test results may take several days.
Treatment methods for amphetamine poisoning in dogs
Your veterinarian will recommend hospitalizing your dog and administering intravenous fluids. Other treatments include:
Using sedatives that reduce nervous system stimulation
Using activated charcoal to reduce additional drug absorption in the stomach
Taking blood samples to monitor kidney function as the kidneys can also be affected by amphetamine stimulation.
After timely treatment, most pets with amphetamine toxicity do well and do not have permanent damage when they go home.
Home care and prevention after treatment for amphetamine poisoning in dogs
If you witness your dog swallowing amphetamine, contact your family veterinarian or local emergency veterinary clinic in time. You may be advised by the staff to induce vomiting in your dog. But this can only be done under the specific guidance of a veterinarian because inappropriate vomiting can be dangerous.
After treatment for amphetamine poisoning, the main purpose of home care is to provide a peaceful environment so that the dog's nervous system and brain can fully recover. In addition, you need to pay attention to whether the dog has symptoms of decreased appetite, vomiting, or extreme lethargy. If you feel that your pet's problem has not improved, then consult your family veterinarian for additional care guidance.
The best way to prevent amphetamine poisoning in dogs is to prevent it from getting amphetamine. For this, you should keep prescription drugs out of reach of pets. Make sure all lost pills have been found and cleaned up.

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