Mary Allen
Just two seconds of neglect while walking and it happened: your dog found a dead animal and may have already eaten it.
There are many dangers lurking in the decaying body of an animal. Therefore, in principle, the following applies: do not allow the dog to sniff carrion. Thus, he will not even want to eat it. Once he is successful in his behavior, next time he will look for it more specifically. Therefore, always keep an eye on the dog while walking.
Why is it Dangerous if Your Dog Eats Dead Animals
Mice are the so-called intermediate hosts for tapeworms. This means that the tapeworm is encapsulated in the mouse and can only reproduce if the carnivore swallows the mouse, digests the capsule and the tapeworm enters the intestines of the carnivore. It then transforms into a fully grown tapeworm.
Dog poop is also infectious to us humans. As false hosts, we are especially at risk, as our tapeworm can lead to changes (cysts) in the liver, lungs, and brain. Therefore, dog owners should thoroughly wash and disinfect their hands after every walk. Regular deworming of your dog will help reduce the risk.
Bacteria and Their Toxins
If your dog eats dead animals, it will also absorb putrefactive bacteria. Some of them are harmless and cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which in most cases goes away with little harm. Even so, puppies, old and very small dogs, or dogs with previous illnesses can develop a life-threatening illness.
More dangerous bacteria, such as clostridia, and their metabolic products, the so-called toxins, also hide in waterfowl. Clostridia cause severe bowel disease and a condition called botulism. Botulinum toxin is a powerful neurotoxin that leads to paralysis. The disease can be fatal even with intensive care.
Splitting Bones
Bird bones love to split and have pointed ends that, in the worst-case scenario, can damage your dog’s esophagus, stomach, or intestines. Bones, in general, are also poorly digested and lead to constipation and, in the worst case, even intestinal obstruction. This can be recognized by abdominal pain, vomiting, and lack of bowel movements, in some cases, diarrhea is also possible.
Eating Dead Animals is a Taboo for Your Dog
Through targeted training with antidote baits, your dog learns to indicate what it wants to eat. If it often happens that you cannot prevent your dog from eating carrion, you should consult a competent trainer.
If an accident has already occurred and your dog is properly full, you should take him to a veterinary clinic or clinic as soon as possible. Your veterinarian may use apomorphine to induce vomiting in your dog. This prevents indirect damage such as inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.