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It is possible for dogs to be poisoned by nicotine. Tobacco and any product which includes tobacco as an ingredient will invariably contain nicotine. This includes products created to de-addict smokers. Most nicotine-based products are familiar ones like cigarettes, pipe, chewing tobacco, cigars, nicotine nasal spray, nicotine gum, and nicotine patches. Pure nicotine has no odor. However, if you keep it out in the open, then the familiar smell of tobacco wafts out. Tobacco comes from a plant, and it is classified as a poisonous alkaloid.
Medicine and toxicity
Flowering tobacco or nicotine finds pride of place in
ornamental gardens. It is seen in multiple color variations and is considered
as a member of the Nightshade family. Nicotine was considered a medicine until
the beginning of the 17th century.
The use of nicotine goes far beyond its well-known inhale
vapor form. Gardeners have used it for many years as a fumigant and commercial
pesticide. When powdered nicotine is put on a controlled fire in a can, the
smoke is toxic to everything in the immediate environment. A greenhouse which
uses this method must keep its doors and windows tightly sealed so that the
nicotine gas does not escape.
The toxicity of nicotine depends upon the dog weight and the
amount of nicotine it ate. The plant is toxic from five milligrams per pound
weight of your dog. It means a small dog would die if it eats four cigarettes.
The residue of nicotine in a finished cigarette could cause considerable harm
to your dog if it ingests the butt. Canines can be attracted to chewing tobacco
and nicotine gum as the supplements used to make the product include sugar,
honey, molasses, and syrups. The quantity of nicotine depends on the product
and its size. Butt of a typical cigarette may contain anywhere from four to
eight milligrams of nicotine. A full cigarette contains any quantity of
nicotine ranging from 15 milligrams to 25 milligrams. Cigars contain much more
nicotine, with some brands touching 40 milligrams in a single stick. Snuff
contains anywhere between 85 mg to 121 mg per quarter ounce. A nicotine gum
piece has two to four milligrams and a standard nicotine patch any amount
between eight and 114 mg in a single patch.
Symptoms and treatment
Tobacco-linked toxic signs
are seen within an hour after the dog has ingested nicotine. The quantity of
ingested nicotine leads to either difficulty breathing or hyperactivity or lack
of coordination. The dog will stumble and vomit. It may have weakness and
suffer seizures. It will be lethargic and suffer from diarrhea. Take the dog to
the veterinarian as soon as possible. The medical specialist will induce the
dog to vomit. You could give the dog active charcoal to prevent it from
absorbing nicotine in higher amounts.
