POISONING
POISONING
Poisoning is unfortunately quite common in Cyprus and every bit as dangerous as a bite from a viper. Antidote and vomiting kits are available for lanate poison from P.A.W.S. or your vet (and salts for injecting for snake bite). They will tell you how to use the kit. You should have one with you whenever you are with your dogs.
Lanate is one of a number of banned pesticides in Cyprus. It is mostly used by farmers to kill animals such as rats, foxes, snakes and feral dogs. As snakes only eat live prey there is no excuse for anyone to lay poison for them, and in any case they have a key role in controlling pests. Native foxes are endangered after years of hunting and poisoning, even though they are supposed to be protected in Cyprus.
Poisoning Symptoms
Symptoms of poison can set in very quickly indeed. The most obvious, which appear very quickly, are shaking - which is the dog’s nervous system breaking down - followed by vomiting, foaming at both ends, the dog can’t stand, and diarrhoea. The first indication tells you that you have no time to spare, every minute is crucial.
Veterinary Surgeon : Dr John Pieroua
Emergency Telephone number: 99 589169
Clinic Telephone number: 25 221042
Clinic : Avdimou village on the main street
In cases of poisoning or snake bite:
• KEEP CALM (for your sake and your pet’s)
• administer the first aid described below
• telephone John in Avdimou to warn him you are coming (always carry his telephone number)
• get your pet there as fast as you can.
You may have very little time to save your pet.
Treatment for lanate poisoning
It is important to get the animal to vomit if you can (but not if they are in a state of shock or collapse), and then to administer the antidote. (The dog will survive an unnecessary antidote. It will not survive poisoning).
Whether or not you have administered the antidote, get your pet immediately to the vet closest to you. Some dogs, depending on size and how much has been consumed may die within minutes.
If you do not have the antidote
• Use charcoal tablets or strongly salted water to make the dog vomit
• Don’t panic (because this can stress your pet) and don’t let it try to walk
• Telephone your vet to warn him you are on your way. (Always carry your mobile, with your vet’s number, when you are out with your dog).
• When you get back, go and clear the area of any remaining poisoned meat, report the incident to the Police and send us a message so we can forward it through sms and emails.
• One failsafe solution, which will not be popular with your dog, is to muzzle it when you are out.
• One area near the village to be very wary of walking your dogs is up near the Cyta tower. This is the area where virtually the entire vulture population of Cyprus was wiped out.
• Although similar symptoms can be caused by your dog eating rotten animal carcasses, get the dog to the vet anyway if you suspect this as the shock caused can be deadly.
From Contact 69:
POISONING
With the poisoning down Omirou St this week, followed by a suspected poisoning in the Village, it is probably a good time to remind you about how to deal with poisonings.
With a poisoning, or a snake bite, time is a luxury your pet does not have. Telephone John Pieroua (99-589169) at Avdimou and tell him you are on your way.
You should, if you are a dog owner, also carry the poison antidote with you at all times, and know how to use it.
Check it out and be prepared for the worst. Too many people haven’t, and there have been too many heart-broken pet owners.
Footnote: with the banning of the poison lanate and the arrival of an even more deadly (also illegal) alternative, it is possible that the usual antidote will be of no use: get to John as fast as you can if you suspect poisoning, or if your pet has been bitten by a snake.