What Happens If A Dog Eats Birth Control (Informative Guide) – PetDogsLife
Do you know what happens if a dog eats birth control? Most people don’t think about it, but dogs can definitely ingest birth control pills.
So the answer is that generally speaking, nothing happens if a dog eats birth control. However, if your pet ingests enough pills, there could be some adverse effects such as vomiting and diarrhea. And finally, if your dog consumes an excessive number of pills, it could potentially impact their bone marrow.
So for reading in detail, stick to this blog post because it will answer all of your queries about this topic.
What Happens If A Dog Eats Birth Control?
As you know, for what purpose do people use these medications and what are their effects on humans, so we will not get into that much detail. Birth control pills are taken by women to prevent becoming pregnant and these medications have hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Now let’s move on to what could happen if your dog consumes these medications.
Generally, nothing happens to a pet dog after eating birth control pills but as mentioned earlier, if they consume a significant number of pills, they may vomit or have diarrhea. So it is always important to keep these medications out of reach of your pet dog.
Another thing to consider is that birth control pills can also impact a dog’s bone marrow. And while this isn’t common, if it does happen, it could be potentially life-threatening. So if you think your dog has ingested too many pills, it is best to take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
However, this could be a problem for small dogs because they are more likely to ingest a higher number of pills than a larger dog. This is due to the fact that smaller dogs have a higher ratio of body mass to the amount of medication they can consume.
What Are The Risks If A Dog Eats Birth Control?
There are a few risks associated with a dog eating birth control. The most common are vomiting and diarrhea but as mentioned earlier, if a significant number of pills are consumed, the dog’s bone marrow could be impacted. This is rare, but it could be potentially life-threatening.
Some possible risks are the following:
Vomiting
If your dog consumes birth control pills, it may vomit. This is the most common side effect of dogs eating these medications.
Diarrhea.
Dogs that eat birth control may also have diarrhea. This is another common side effect of these medications. This is because the hormones in the pills can upset a dog’s stomach.
Impact On Bone Marrow.
As mentioned earlier, if a dog consumes too many birth control pills, it could potentially impact its bone marrow. This is a rare side effect, but it is something to be aware of. Because birth control pills contain hormones like estrogen and progesterone, they could impact the dog’s bone marrow function.
Excessive Thirst And Urination.
Another potential side effect of a dog eating birth control is excessive thirst and urination. This is because the hormones in the pills can cause the dog to become dehydrated.
Death.
Of course, the biggest risk of all is that a dog could die after eating birth control pills. This is very rare, but it is a possibility.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Dog Eating Birth Control?
The symptoms of a dog eating birth control will vary depending on the dog and the number of pills consumed. However, some common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, and seizures. If you think your dog has eaten birth control pills, it is best to take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Ate Birth Control?
If you think your dog has eaten birth control pills, the first thing you should do is call your veterinarian. They will be able to tell you what to do next. Depending on how many pills the dog ate, they may advise you to bring the dog in for treatment or they may tell you to watch for certain symptoms and call back if they occur.
If the amount consumed is small. Then you can treat it by yourself, just follow the following steps:
- Take the dog to the bathroom and induce vomiting.
- Give the dog activated charcoal to absorb any remaining medication in their stomach.
- Monitor the dog for the next 24 hours for any symptoms of overdose.
- If the dog starts having seizures or becomes unconscious, take them to the emergency room.
How To Prevent Your Dog From Eating Birth Control?
To prevent your dog from eating birth control pills. The sweet answer is to keep the pills in a safe place where the dog cannot get to them. Or make sure the pills are not within reach of the dog when you are disposing of them.
Long-Term Risks Associated With Dogs Eating Birth Control?
There are no long-term risks associated with dogs eating birth control. Once the dog vomits up the pills and they are no longer in their system, they will be fine. But yes, if it is consumed in large amounts, it can damage your dog’s bone marrow. Because birth control pills contain hormones, they could have an impact on the dog’s overall health.
Conclusion
Although it is rare, there is a potential for dogs to die after eating birth control pills. But, aside from that, what happens if a dog eats birth control? So, the most common symptoms of dogs ingesting these medications are vomiting and diarrhea.
FAQs
Is it safe to induce vomiting if my dog ate birth control?
What should I do if my dog has a seizure after eating birth control?
What are the risks of not taking my dog to the vet if they ate birth control?
So if you are not sure whether your dog ate birth control or not, it is always best to take them to the veterinarian just in case.