What happens if dogs eat snail bait

With the rainy weather comes an influx of slimy snails and slugs in your yard and garden. These little creatures may be interesting to look at, but they can wreak havoc on your beloved plants. Before you put out a bunch of slug and snail bait, use caution if you also have dogs in your house as these types of bait and poison can be extremely toxic to dogs. If you find too many slugs in an area your dogs cohabitate, we recommend you buy a dog-safe slug killer.

The active ingredient in most commercially produced slug and snail poison is a chemical called metaldehyde. Metaldehyde is extremely toxic to dogs, and unfortunately, it targets their nervous system. It can also cause damage to their liver, kidneys, and lungs, but this is less common.

When a dog has eaten a slug or snail bait, they will start to experience neurological symptoms. These can include:. This means the bait tastes very good to dogs, and they are far more likely to become attracted to it and subsequently eating larger amounts of it. IV fluids to encourage toxin excretion via the kidneys and replace fluid losses from vomiting, diarrhoea and panting.

If your pet is severely affected i. Administration of activated charcoal solution via the stomach tube after stomach pumping. The prognosis for patients who have ingested snail pellets is generally good. Most patients that require their stomach pumped recover and go home within 12 hours of admission. Some patients may need extended hospitalisation if they have suffered complications such as aspiration of stomach contents into the lungs aspiration pneumonia or heat stress.

Unfortunately, without treatment the severely affected patients will not survive. The Decollate Snail can live for two years, and lays a small amount of eggs on a regular basis, so there should always be many new protectors in your garden.

You can also purchase various commercial snail traps. For more information, watch this video demonstration of how to control slugs organically , helping to protect your garden without fear of harming your pets.

As always, prevention is better than cure. I hope this article has raised your awareness of the dangers of snail bait. If an accident does happen, it is critical to seek veterinary attention immediately.

If you suspect snail bait ingestion, please go directly to your veterinarian immediately. Every minute counts! Shea Cox is the founder of BluePearl Pet Hospice and is a global leader in animal hospice and palliative care. With a focus on technology, innovation and education, her efforts are changing the end-of-life landscape in veterinary medicine.

Skip to main content. Health Care. Sign up and get the answers to your questions. Your vet may then perform a gastric lavage to remove the material from the stomach safely. IV fluids also contain electrolytes to help manage those levels. Liver failure can develop up to 3 weeks post-exposure, so you may need to come back into the clinic a few times to assess the liver enzymes. There are alternatives to metaldehyde snail baits.