Be aware that there have been some reports online relating to a number of fatal dog poisonings that have occurred in the Caribbean (in the Grenadines “from St. Vincent to Grenada anywhere there are roaming sheep and goats”) and also in Fiji. In the Caribbean the poisonings are thought to be a result of poisons placed on the islands to kill opossums, iguanas, and wild dogs that are a threat to the local sheep and goats raised for food by the islanders. In Fiji and probably to some extent also in the Caribbean the poisonings are thought to simply be malicious. These poisons, although unavailable to the public in the US and much of the world, are easily accessible and readily available in many developing countries and are probably used for similar purposes around the world. Since lethal exposure requires such a small ingestion and because death can occur so quickly, the only practical way to avoid these substances is to keep your dog snugged up on a short leash while ashore. On the island of Carriacou in the Grenadines, a number of dogs were fatally poisoned right on one of the popular beaches in Tyrell Bay. The appearance of just sniffing at something on the ground may provide a dose of toxin sufficient to kill. The information presented is offered not with expectation that you will be able to treat successfully, but with the intention of giving you fair warning that, if you hope to spare your dog a cruel and hideous death, you will take the necessary precautions to avoid exposure. With these particular poisons, avoidance is the ONLY reliable approach.
PARAQUAT – Crisquat, Cyclone, Dextrone, Dexuron, Gramoxone Extra, Herbaxone, and Sweep are known brand names. Paraquat is a very common and very dangerous herbicide,. Do not induce vomiting! There is no good or reliable treatment for paraquat poisoning. Activated charcoal given aggressively and as soon as possible after ingestion is the best treatment. Inhalation leads to permanent and usually fatal lung damage. Ingestion causes contact damage in the mouth and throughout the GI tract, followed by lung, liver, and kidney damage. There is no antidote or cure. Death may take days.
METHOMYL CARBAMATE – Known as Lannate, Acinate, Agrinate, Lanox, Methavin and other names and also as the active ingredient in a number of flybaits, such as Golden Malrin, Apache, Fatal Attraction. This product is highly lethal with an LD50 of only 17mg/kg and kills quickly. It is considered a very hot insecticide and can kill a dog in ten minutes. Symptoms include excessive salivation/drooling, slow heartrate, pinpoint pupils, labored breathing, generalized neuro-muscular tremors bordering on seizures, and death. Treatment is atropine by injection and activated charcoal orally (if patient can swallow) or by stomach tube, but you have to be quick. In all likelihood, by the time you suspect that your dog is poisoned, it is probably too late to treat successfully. Think prevention and limit shore access in high risk areas.