My Dog Ate Poison Ivy What Should I Do?

When the weather’s nice, it’s great to take your dog out for a walk in the woods. Who doesn’t just love the fresh air, the trees blowing in the wind, and the sun shining down as you hike forest trails?

While the woods are a great place to have fun, they can also present some issues for both pet parents and their dogs. One plant that quickly causes problems is poison ivy. On the skin, this plant can cause a horrible itchy rash that can last for days after you’ve come in contact with it. Another danger is if a dog eats poison ivy.

Poison Ivy Poisoning in Dogs

Poison ivy contains a substance call urushiol, which is the cause of the itchy rash when it comes into contact with skin.

Urushiol, if ingested by a dog, can poison your fur baby. However, this is considered a mild toxin, and will usually not cause a serious health issue.

Symptoms of Poison Ivy Poisoning in Dogs

If your fur baby happens to eat some poison ivy, you may notice these symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

The level of symptoms will depend on your dog’s size and how much he ate. For example, a small dog that eats a lot of the plant may develop a worse case of diarrhea and vomiting. However, if a larger dog eats the same amount, he may only develop a slight upset stomach and a little diarrhea.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Poison Ivy Toxicity in Dogs

If you know for sure your canine companion has munged on some poison ivy, then it’s a good idea to call the vet immediately. The vet will ask about your dog’s weight and how much of the poison ivy your fur baby likely ate. They may ask you to bring your dog in for an exam. If so, be sure to take a part of the plant with you so the vet is sure what the dog has eaten.

Be sure to handle the plant with gloves on, or you could develop a severe itchy, rash. Put the sample in a plastic bag, and make sure to close the bag.

Your fur baby should be OK; however, your vet may advise to give your dog plenty of fluids and that he stay on a bland diet for a couple of days. On the other hand, if your dog has eaten a lot of the plant, then the vet may need to keep him in the hospital and treat him with IV fluids to treat/prevent dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea.

The good news is that in most cases, even after eating a lot of poison ivy, dogs make a full recovery. If your fur baby has eaten poison ivy, we sure wish him the best and hope for a fast recovery!