We are fortunate enough that we haven’t seen a dramatic amount of dog poisonings recently; however, in other areas there has been a drastic increase in poisonings.
Criminals use Aldicarb to eliminate dogs within residential areas, with the intention of gaining access to these properties.
The illegal use of Aldicarb also known as Temik®, Two Step or Maponyane to maliciously poison dogs, is a major problem in South Africa. This poison is readily available at taxi ranks all over the country. It is packaged in small amounts and sold for as little as R10.00 – R30.00. It is a black or dark grey granular substance, which looks like small seeds or gun powder. The granules of Aldicarb are inserted into cheap meat baits, such as viennas, sausages, or polony. Animals can die within minutes of ingestion; hence, the name Two step.
Signs of poisoning to look out for include:
- weakness or paralysis;
- vomiting;
- excessive salivation, drooling, or frothing at the mouth;
- seizures;
- uncontrolled urination;
- muscle tremors;
- pupil constriction; and
- aggression.
The most important practical precaution is to avoid access to the street for your dogs. Dogs need to sleep inside at night. Dogs are safer inside, and therefore so are you as criminals can’t get access to them and deters criminals from entering your home. It is important to check your property first thing in the morning to make sure nothing has been thrown over the walls overnight.
It is imperative that you take the dog to a veterinary clinic immediately. Minutes will make a difference when you want to save your dog. Successful treatment depends on the timely use of an anti-muscarinic drug (e.g. atropine). Additional supportive treatment options, including fluid therapy, diphenhydramine, benzodiazepines, and the prevention of further absorption (activated charcoal), should also be considered. The induction of emesis (vomiting) is contraindicated in dogs that are already vomiting, convulsing, or losing consciousness because of the high risk of ingestion aspiration (vomit going into the lungs) in these cases. Some dogs are not able to swallow when poisoned and administering anything in their mouths can cause them to aspirate (whatever is administered can go into the lungs, which will cause pneumonia), so this needs to be done with care.