Amphetamine Poisoning in Dogs: Symptoms and Emergency Care

Every day, well-meaning pet owners unintentionally expose their dogs to serious health hazards with human medications (i.e., ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antidepressants being the most common). While safe for humans, these medications can be very toxic—potentially fatal—to dogs, and can be deadly in small amounts.

Whether a curious dog chews through a pill bottle, or a dropped pill goes unnoticed on the floor, the threat to your dog is real! Awareness and prompt action can be the difference between life and death. This page will help you recognize the danger, what to do if your dog has been exposed, and ways to keep your dog safe and healthy.

Identifying Symptoms of Exposure to a Drug Poisoning in Dogs

If your dog has ingested any medication, the symptoms can present quickly (within minutes to a few hours). And knowing what to look for is important:

• Vomiting or diarrhea (with possible blood)
  
  

• Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
  
  

• Signs of lethargy or unusual weakness
  
  

• Loss of coordination or stumbling
  
  

• Tremors or seizures
  
  

• Increased or decreased heart rate
  
  

• Pale gums or yellowing of skin/eyes
  
  

• Changes in behaviors (e.g., agitated, confused, or depressed)
  
  

• Loss of appetite
  
  

Examples include:

• Unlocked pill bottles left on countertops, nightstands, or in purses
  
  

• Dropped pills that are consumed before noticed
  
  

• Owners mistakenly giving human medications to treat pain or illness
  
  

• Chewed up bags or containers when dogs are left unsupervised
  
  

Even OTC medications like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can cause kidney failure, liver damage, or GI ulcers in dogs. The same as any hazardous household chemical, medications should receive the same treatment.

How Vets Determine Medications that Have Caused Poisoning

If ingestion of medications is suspected, the veterinarian will move swiftly to reassure the diagnosis and begin treating it immediately. They may do this by:

• Asking questions to determine medications your dog has ingested recently
  
  

• Complete a physical examination for signs of poisoning
  
  

• Complete a blood panel to assess kidney and liver function
  
  

• Complete a urinalysis to check for toxins or damage releases from the internal organs
  
  

• Complete X-ray or imaging if there are pill fragments or packaging the dog ingested
  
  

The more timely and intense the poisoning is diagnosed, the better the chance of making a full recovery.

Treatment: What to Expect and What to Do

Immediate At-home Treatment (they ONLY would do this if directed by a vet or poison control):

• Do not induce vomiting unless directed to
  
  

• Call the veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 888-426-4435 immediately
  
  

Veterinarian Treatment can include:

• Inducing vomiting (if ingestion was recent and safe to do)
  
  

• Administer activated charcoal to absorb poisons
  
  

• Fluid therapy through IV to preserve kidney and liver function
  
  

• Medications to prevent ulcers or seizures
  
  

• Hospitalization to monitor their condition
  
  

Do not try to treat poisoning at home, unless you are directed to by your veterinarian.

Recover and At-Home Management
If you took your dog to the vet promptly, many dogs can be fully recovered; however, some of this depends on what the medication is and how promptly treatment was received.

Tips to support them after treatment:

• Keep them calm and well rested
  
  

• Allow them to have blander food that is easy to digest, as the vet has approved
  
  

• Limit physical activity, if it is indicated, until afterward by your veterinarian
  
  

• Adhere to on-time medication administration
  
  

• Attend all follow-up appointments to make sure they are healing
  
  

• Be aware of any recurrence of signs and notify the vet of any changes
  
  

Preventing the Next Incident: Simple Steps for Safety

There are numerous things you can do to decrease the likelihood of poisoning occurrence:

• Keep medications in high and locked cabinets
  
  

• Keep purses, backpacks, and pill bottles away
  
  

• Pick up any pills that you may drop immediately
  
  

• Never give human medications to pets unless directed by a veterinarian
  
  

• Let visitors know to keep medications away during their visits
  
  

• Use only child-proof containers, even for supplements that are safe for pets
  
  

Your vigilance is all that stands between your beloved dog and significant drug or pill poisoning!