Has your dog eaten Zicam? Are you worried Zicam will make your dog sick? Then you’ve come to the right place.
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In this article, we’ll take a quick look at what Zicam is, whether or not it’s harmful to your dog, and what you need to do next. Let’s get started!
What is Zicam?
Zicam is a homeopathic product that is used to treat cold and allergy symptoms. The main ingredient in these products is zinc. There has been some controversy in the use of Zicam products. One is that the zinc contained in the product can lead to zinc poisoning if taken in high doses, and some people have lost their sense of smell after using the products.
In 2009, the FDA advised people not to use the nasal forms of Zicam but did not touch the other Zicam products.
Dogs & Zinc
Zinc poisoning is one of the most common causes of poisoning in dogs. This is because zinc is found in many types of household products. What’s more, zinc is also used in pennies in the US. Other sources of zinc in our homes can include:
- Batteries
- Calamine lotion
- Zinc oxide creams
- Vitamins and supplements
- Screws and nuts
- And more
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Ask a Vet Live NowZicam and Dogs
Zicam is toxic to dogs due to the zinc it contains. An overdose of zinc can lead to the formation of zinc salts in the dog’s body, which can be distributed through the organs and other body tissues, including the pancreas, prostate, liver, and kidneys.
Symptoms of Zinc Toxicity in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog develops zinc toxicity after eating Zicam:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Pale mucus membranes
- Lack of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Depression
- Reddish colored urine
- Fever
- Jaundice
- Seizures
- Death
If you know or suspect your dog has eaten Zicam but isn’t showing symptoms, go ahead and call the vet now. If your dog is showing any of the symptoms above, then call the vet immediately. This may be a life-threatening medical emergency.
Treatment of Zicam Poisoning in Dogs
When you reach the vet’s, they will perform a full physical exam of your dog. This will include lab work, too. The lab work will show toxicity in the dog’s system.
If your dog ingested the Zicam recently, then the vet may try to induce vomiting. Otherwise, the vet may try activated charcoal. In addition, your canine companion will need an IV, which will be used to deliver medications and fluids. And if your dog develops severe anemia, the vet will give him a blood transfusion.
Zinc poisoning is a very serious condition; recovery can take quite a while, depending on the level of toxicity in the dog. Initially, your fur baby may need to stay in the hospital for a few days until he’s stable.
Recovery depends on how much zinc the dog has eaten, the toxicity levels compared to his body size, and how soon he receives medical treatment.
The good news is that dogs who receive prompt medical treatment for zinc poisoning have the best chance at making a full recovery.
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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