Snail bait poisoning, also known as metaldehyde toxicity, is the most common form of poisoning in dogs in California . Snail bait commonly comes in the form of pellets, which tends to resemble dog food. Further, the pellets are flavored with bran or molasses to attract snails which, unfortunately, also attracts dogs. Some snail baits are made as liquids or powders, but these can also pose a problem as they can get onto the paws and be licked often during regular grooming.
A small amount of snail bait can cause poisoning, less than one teaspoon per every ten pounds of body weight. Signs of poisoning occur fairly quickly after exposure. The most common sign is twitching, which can then lead to seizures and potential death. The twitches, or muscle contractions, raise the body temperature which can result in brain damage. Other signs of poisoning may include diarrhea, racing heart rates, respiratory failure, rigidity, and vomiting. Some dogs may also experience liver failure within a few days after poisoning.
Diagnosis is often made on signs of twitching alone, but the urine and stomach contents can also be tested for the presence of metaldehyde. If consumption of the snail bait has occurred within less than an hour, vomiting may be induced. Otherwise, the stomach may be pumped, activated charcoal may be given, or cathartics may be used to induce diarrhea. A muscle relaxant or diazepam may be given to control the twitching, and fluid therapy and body temperature monitoring will be needed as the dog recovers. Most dogs have a good chance at recovery with prompt treatment. To dissolve the remaining metaldehyde, the yard should be hosed down with water and the dog should be restricted from the treated area for two weeks. |
