Dogs will eat anything and everything that seems interesting or tasty to them! In fact, they’ll eat everything from dead fish and birds to roadkill. Yum!
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There are even some dogs who love to eat the poop of other animals. Now how to you feel about your canine companion coming up and giving you a big kiss on the mouth? We thought so!
What about dogs that eat horse poop? Is horse manure dangerous for dogs? What could possible be in horse manure that could cause a health issue?
Is Eating Horse Manure Dangerous for Dogs?
The answer is yes, it can be. This is because horses are treated with medications to rid them of worms. Some of these medications can be toxic to some dogs, depending on the amount of toxin and the size of the dog.
The most common de-worming medication in horses is ivermectin. This is a medication that is used to rid horses of a wide range of nasty parasites. Ivermectin is found in higher amounts if the horse was recently de-wormed.
Ivermectin is also given to dogs to treat heart worms and other parasites. But the doses are much smaller than needed to treat horses. So, if a dog eats horse manure that has a higher amount of Ivermectin, then there’s a chance he could become sick.
Dog Breeds Most Affected by Ivermectin Overdose
Certain dog breeds are more affected by Ivermectin than others. In fact, vets will not usually give this medication to some dogs for this very reason.
The reason is that these dog breeds have a gene mutation that makes ivermectin more toxic for them, even in small doses. These breeds include:
- Collies
- Shetland sheepdogs
- Australian shepherds
- Old English sheepdogs
- Long-haired whippets
- Merle Pomeranians
- And more
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Ivermectin Toxicity in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms of your dogs has become poisoned by ivermectin:
- Dilated pupils
- Lack of balance
- Disorientation
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Drooling
- Seizures
If you notice these symptoms after your dog has eaten horse poop, then call the vet immediately. This could be a life-threatening medical emergency.
Treatment of Ivermectin Poisoning
There’s no antidote to ivermectin poisoning; however, the vet can provide supportive care. Most dogs will have a better chance of surviving if they receive prompt medical care.
So, if your dog has a penchant for eating horse poop, or other types of animal poop, it’s best to not allow him to do this. Prevention is always the best medicine.
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Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
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