Boric Acid Poisoning in Dogs

Boric Acid is toxic to pets and if your dog ingests too much of the compound, it can cause frothing at the mouth and vomiting. If your pet has ingested boric acid, you should take the dog to a veterinarian to ensure that complications don't result or that your pet doesn't become dehydrated from vomiting.

Symptoms

If your dog consumed only a small amount of boric acid, depending upon the size of the dog, it is unlikely to produce symptoms. However, if the pet ingested large amounts or is a small dog, you will need to seek veterinary care. Symptoms of poisoning in a dog, including poisoning by boric acid, are lethargy or sluggishness, vomiting, lack of appetite, stumbling, staggering, difficult breathing or seizure. Unless you witnessed your pet ingesting boric acid, the veterinarian will treat the dog based on the symptoms your pet is exhibiting and your suspicion of what type of poison he ingested.

Emergency

If you know that your pet has been poisoned by boric acid, or any other toxic substance, staying calm and acting quickly are important to your pet's survival. The first step you want to take is to call your veterinarian. You can also call the National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-800-548-2423. If possible, you'll need to let the person with whom you speak know the type of poison ingested, how much the animal ate, how long it's been since the poison was ingested, the dog's current vital signs and the dog's weight. The veterinarian will then give you instructions on how to proceed.

Treatment

Because boric acid is only slightly toxic, unless your pet ate large amounts, the veterinarian may recommend a "wait-and-see" approach, while taking precautions to ensure the dog doesn't become dehydrated from vomiting. In more serious cases, the veterinarian will attempt to eliminate the poison from your dog's stomach, through either vomiting or the use of a laxative. However, poisoning by boric acid would rarely, if ever, result in a severe enough illness to require these measures that are used more often in cases of more toxic poisons.

Products

Products containing boric acid, and potentially other poisons, are likely in abundance within your home. You should ensure these products are placed in areas your dog cannot access. These products include mouthwash, contact lens solution, cosmetics, facial creams, cleaning products, and denture cleaner. Boric acid is sometimes used as a pest repellent and pets should be kept away from areas where the product is applied for these purposes.

Prevention/Solution

Dogs can get into places we never imagine they will go. Some will even open cabinets and knock items from hard-to-reach medicine chests. It is best to lock away any product, including boric acid, which might make your dog sick. Ensure your dog is confined to areas you know are safe and that do not contain toxic chemicals or products unless you are directly supervising your pet. If you dog tends to be the type of animal who will investigate closed containers, chew his way into cabinets or is otherwise precocious, you may want to crate him for his own protection when you are not at home.

References

• About Boric Acid Powder
• Household Products Poisonous to Dogs
• Dog Poison Care