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One of the Turkish bloggers I follow lives in the next village to ours. They live a similar life to us, away from the crowds, enjoying the countryside and the simple life ...until last week. Their beloved black lab/retriever, Carlos, picked up a cheese sandwich spiked with pesticide and was dead before they could do anything about it. The grief at not being able to protect their dog, even though they were walking together, is hard to read. The blog is finished. The poison was probably aimed at foxes raiding chicken coups, but that doesn't make anything better, does it.
Twenty years ago we lost our Alsatian/Anatolian Sheepdog, Brian to poison. Despite arthritic legs he'd taken himself off after a bitch on heat and was poisoned with 6 other dogs outside Mumcular. One reason we had Jake done was to stop him chasing the girls. I couldn't bare to lose another dog in the same way. But how can we keep him safe, if poison is all around. One idea is to make him wear a muzzle when we are out. He hates it, but by giving him treats before and after he wears it, he is just getting accustomed to it. I will have to explain why he's wearing it to everyone we meet as I don't want him to get a reputation as a vicious dog.
If your dog picks up poison it is important to make them sick as soon as possible. I was always told to force yogurt down their throats but our vet says this is the wrong thing to do as the fat in the yogurt accelerates the absorption of the poison into the gut. He suggests 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (Oxsijenli su in Turkish) by mouth. The easiest way to get it into the dog is using a syringe to make swallowing easier. Administer 1 ml for every kilo your dog weighs. This should make your dog vomit. I'm going to take a bottle and syringe on long walks from now on.
I found a good web site http://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Dog-to-Vomit which explains in detail.
B to B, However one loses a beloved dog, it's impossible not to take it very hard and to feel responsible in some way. That blog was a very tough read. So glad you've found ways to protect Jake. (I'll bet he hates that muzzle!)
ReplyDeleteI feel like banging heads together when I see the thoughtlessness that causes poor innocent dogs to die such a horrible death.
DeleteHow disgraceful to leave poison about without taking proper precautions..this was a phenomenon of the French countryside too...and what a horrible thing to happen.
ReplyDeleteWe have poisonous toads here....the 'foam' they give off' is highly toxic and the remedy here is to get milk into the dog as quickly as possible followed by lemon juice...but I'll sk our vet about the hydrogen peroxide.
Is the milk to make the dog sick or does it neutralise the foam?
DeleteTo neutralise the foam.
DeleteHow awful. I really feel for them. You know I used to let my 4 big dogs out for a run over the hills because there is no way I can manage them on leads...and they won't budge when I try anyway. I worry constantly about them being poisoned so now they don't go out. It's not ideal I know, but they have the large area at the back (enclosed) and they run and play most of the day. The same with the others. They get plenty of exercise in the garden. I just can't risk it. I hate to keep them confined, but at least they are alive. I always keep Oxyjenli su in the house, but didn't realise it could be used for this purpose. Thanks for that xx
ReplyDeleteI even considered tying him up which is not a solution I'd be happy with.
DeleteHello:
ReplyDeleteHow dreadful this is and poor, poor Carlos [not to mention how his owners must feel] and Brian too. No wonder that you are placing a muzzle on Jake when you go out. But, as you say, what really can be done to prevent further 'accidental' deaths. It is appalling that anyone can contemplate leaving anything poisoned in such a way around. And should a child pick up a poisoned sandwich? We are very, very shocked.
I can't believe that 20 years on, we are in the same situation.
Delete. . after our dear old 'Sinsi' was poisoned and barely survived I always carried ampoules of Atropine and syringes; they may well buy you enough time to get the dog to a vet. Up in the mountains around here some thoughtless arses bait with organo-phosphate which attacks the nervous system. I won't attempt to describe the symptoms which are appalling to observe. When 'Sisi' managed to get her second dose of poison despite being on a tight lead the Atropine enabled her to walk a little after about 15 minutes and saved her life as we were miles from anywhere.
ReplyDeleteThe vet said that some poisons aren't neutralised by Atropine, but if you are too late to make the dog vomit, this is your only hope.
DeleteThat is terrible but glad you have found out about the peroxide.
ReplyDeleteWhat a ghastly thing to happen - it's hard enough to lose a pet through natural causes, but like that......... it beggars belief that people can be so irresponsible - as the Hattatts said, what if a child found it? Here in the UK there have been accounts in the press about cats and dogs being deliberaltely poisoned in various places - I can't understand the mentality of people who can do such things. Wicked, I call it.
ReplyDeleteSound advice. Sadly, this isn't the first time I've heard about poison casually left about being accidentally picked up by pets - cats as well as dogs.
ReplyDeleteSound advice indeed, but how sad to be having to share it. Take care jx
ReplyDeleteSo very very sorry, it must be so unbearable. In this day and age, one can not accept treatments like these.. really is wicked :(
ReplyDeleteThat is so cruel and wanton. Poor Carlos and all the other harmless dogs killed or injured by such shameful carelessness. We once lost a cat to poisoning, probably poisoned bait put down for rats on a neighbouring farm and it was a horrible way for him to die. I do hope Jake's muzzle keeps him from harm.
ReplyDeleteAww, I hate to read stories like this. It's a problem along the mountain paths around Fethiye, too, and you do occasionally read similar stories. Looks as though you're as prepared as you can be. Such a shame you have to worry so much on what should be pleasant walks.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry this is just an awfully terrible thing to happen...sometimes in the city here some sick cruel people spike hot dogs with poison, it has happened a couple of times. I do hope that Jake keeps his muzzle on and it will keep him from swallowing any poison..... you are lucky you can put it on him.....one of my dogs would have given me quite a bite....especially the Husky...take care and hope all will be well.
ReplyDeleteThis is awful. I am so sorry to hear and am disgraced with cruelty towards animals .. I live in the US and there are rabbits, deer, and fox in my yard at all times, eating my beautiful flowers, roses, and perennials and it never crossed my mind to poison them. My little girl (6 yrs old Maltese) runs the yard with no fear of poison and I can take her out for a walk with no muzzle. I truly want to settle in Bodrum and these stories prepare me better about some issues I might face there. Thank you for sharing this story.
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