Mar 19 2009
Paintball Ingestion
If paintball ingestion is ever a possibility with your dog, it is critical for you to find where the nearest emergency vet as soon as possibile. Although they claim to be ‘non-toxic’, that is in reference to humans, not dogs. They are indeed toxic to dogs and there is usually no way of knowing how much was ingested. If you call your regular vet, usually a message is left on the machine with what to do in an emergency and where to go if they are not open. Also, yellow pages are helpful in locating an emergency vet facility.
The vet will need to do bloodwork and if he/she also feels paintball ingestion is possible, or if you know it occured, IV fluid therapy as well as activated charcoal to absorb remaining toxins in the GI will be administered. It is very important to get this done right away when toxic substances have been in the body for some time and symptoms have appeared of discomfort. While I realize emergency vets are often further away and more expensive, it can be critical to saving your dog. For financial assistance, you can apply for care credit at the office, which is a low to no interest credit card used in unforeseen situations like this.
More info on paintball toxicity:
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/paint-ball-toxicity/page1.aspx
Christine, LVT
