How Much Garlic Is Too Much Garlic?
Your pupper is not Count Dogula, but he may as well be, because dogs and vampires have two things in common – their spooky canine teeth and their biological aversion to garlic.
Some people out there may suggest that garlic given in small doses is okay for your doggy. This is an unnecessary and, frankly, reckless way to handle your canines diet and overall health. It is an unnecessary risk whose rewards can be achieved through an immune supplement for dogs.
Garlic carries SIX times the amount of organosulfoxides than most other members of the Allium family. With that said, if your dog eats ANY amount of raw, cooked, or spoiled garlic, you should call your veterinarian professional immediately and have hydrogen peroxide by your side.
The ingestion of hydrogen peroxide will cause your dog to vomit, putting the garlic back where it belongs – outside of his body.
Your dog will likely not present symptoms right away, as it takes time for the organosulfoxides to do their damage, but getting the garlic out of his body is paramount. If your dog displays the following symptoms, he may have garlic poisoning,
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Garlic?
Kitchens can be messy places and it is quite easy for sticky raw garlic to catch a ride on your shirt or pants, only to crumble to the floor. If you notice garlic fall to the floor and cannot find it after your dog has swept the area with his tongue, assume it has been ingested.
Do not feel bad about calling your vet over a tiny piece of garlic, its his or her job and it is a question they will not take lightly.
What happens when a dog gets garlic toxicity?
After your vet examines your dog for signs on their body’s exterior, they’ll run lots of tests to check for Heinz bodies, dehydration, kidney function, and oxygen levels.
It’s vitally important to keep their organs and body systems functioning. Some dogs may require oxygen therapy. This allows red blood cells that are still working to carry more oxygen with less effort. A vet may also give your dog powerful antioxidants to further help their red blood cells fight off damage from thiosulfates.
Depending on the severity of the anemia, IV fluids and possibly a blood transfusion may be necessary. Again, it’s rare for dogs to die from eating garlic, but immediate medical care is necessary if you suspect your sneaky snacker has ingested more than a tiny amount of it – or if you see symptoms.