How Food Poisoning Happens in Dogs.

In a vet group chat where I belong, there was an urgent disclaimer about brown rice negatively affecting dogs and ultimately leading to their deaths, it came as a shock to some of us and the majority of us were still doubting the potency of the news when one of our breeders said he lost 12 pregnant dogs after feeding them with brown rice (that is a significant loss), it was a sad news and a big lesson to us all.

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Brown rice is what most of us have been feeding our dogs for years, and now that the economy is not even friendly, it has increased our purchase in that regard, as brown rice is more economical compared to other dog feeds. What could have caused this sudden problem, did some amateur grab the production process or did some chemical pill in, were questions we asked one another but got no response.

This leads me to discuss food poisoning in dogs today, just like humans, dogs can also experience food poisoning and it could be treated so easily or turn out to become so harmful that there is a loss of life. Sometimes, it is easy to point out that our pet has consumed a chemical product with the indication of a certain missen food, an empty bottle, or a plant that appears strangled, but what if the poison is in the food we serve them itself, that may be a difficult factor to point out.

Food poisoning in dogs is generally caused by an illness involving gastrointestinal upset caused by toxins or bacteria, it may sometimes be difficult to diagnose the presence of poison as there are several other reasons why there could be a tummy upset in a dog other than poisoning in itself. When food poisoning is caused by a bacteria like Staphylococcus, there is often a short incubation stage between ingestion and illness. In most cases, bacterial food poisoning is linked with milk and dairy products.

Before proceeding with other details of food poisoning in dogs, let's check out some of the causes of food poisoning that dog owners have to know;

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Salmonella Infection: Salmonella bacteria exist in the intestinal tract of both humans and animals, a dog could get infected with salmonella after consuming contaminated food. Your pet may have consumed salmonella bacteria and still look healthy, the bacteria would be found in the faces of an infected dog.

Certain dog foods and their treats could be contaminated with salmonella, this includes some of their dry food, dog biscuits, pet food, and raw meat has also been found to strongly contain this salmonella infection too. Although several dogs are asymptomatic carriers of salmonella, they also show symptoms that signify the need for immediate treatment, they show signs of fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool, and fever. Humans and other pets are still able to fall sick even when there is no show of symptoms from the pet.

E.coli poisoning: E.coli is a bacteria type that is found in the intestinal tracts of healthy humans and healthy animals, but some forms of E.coli are harmful to both dogs and humans, and they can cause diseases. Humans and animals can contract E.Coli poisoning through the consumption of contaminated beverages or food, which includes; raw items, unpasteurized milk, and undercooked beef. When a dog is infected with E.coli, symptoms like; bloody or cloudy urine, constant urination, loss of appetite, vomiting, dehydration, diarrhea, and constant urination are mostly noticed.o

Listeriosis: Caused by bacteria; Listeria monocytogens, some dog foods are found to be contaminated with listeria bacteria, and cooking and pasteurization destroy them, so the possibility of the brown rice now having an increased listeria content than usual is very possible (Just a guess, not a certainty).

While all dog types are susceptible, very young puppies and senior dogs would most likely have an infection, and when they do, it is usually a mild gastrointestinal distress type, with other symptoms like; Diarrhea, vomiting, fever, muscle pain, breathing difficulty, absence of coordination, and loss of pregnancy.

Aflatoxin poison: Aflatoxin is a fungal toxin that contaminates some crop products during the stage of production, harvest, storage, or processing, when dogs consume food with a high level of this toxin, they usually become highly susceptible, and because normally, dogs consume the same food type over a long period, the toxins can accumulate in the system of the dog.
Aflatoxin poisoning could lead to severe health complications like liver damage.

The most common signs associated with food poisoning in a dog are; diarrhea, seizures, depression, and vomiting. Liver failure, kidney failure, and cardiovascular issues could be an after-effect of food poisoning.
Now that we have successfully listed out some of the possible causes of food poisoning in your dog, another factor to severely consider is how can these poisoning be prevented appropriately.

Food sources that are contaminated with aflatoxins must be properly avoided, balanced diet is also a major necessity. Ensure that your garbage is appropriately closed so that your dog has no access to it, also make sure they are not fed moldy food.
are not fed in an unfamiliar environment, place the dog on a leash so he or she doesn't feed on decaying items. Ensure that your dog beds, mats, and other items are appropriately treated and cleaned properly. Remember to protect yourself by washing your hands appropriately after handling pet food, feces, or any other item.
Learning about some first aid treatment for a poisoned dog before the vet comes along is very important also, so first make sure that your dog is still breathing, alert and behaving normally, then make sure everyone including your pet vacates the region where the poison was consumed.

If the poison is on the fur of the dog, wash thoroughly and safely putting on a protective measure. While all this is ongoing, ensure you have placed an emergency call to your vet who should be close by to professionally provide the next line of help.