What is Garbage Toxicosis (Garbage Gut)?
Dogs are known to get into the trash every once in awhile, and even to eat the feces of other animals (especially from cat litter boxes), but these animals are at a higher risk of an illness called garbage toxicosis or garbage gut. Eating dead animals, such as birds or other small animals may also be the cause of garbage toxicosis. This is most common in outdoor dogs because they are able to ingest spoiled food or waste as well as dead animals that can be full of bacteria and other harmful organisms. Feeding your dog table scraps or a raw food diet can also add to the chance of your pet getting garbage toxicosis. When your dog ingests food (or waste) that is contaminated or spoiled, the bacteria gets into the digestive tract where it can produce toxins that get absorbed into the bloodstream.
Garbage toxicosis, or garbage gut, is a condition caused by the ingestion of food, trash, or waste that is contaminated with bacteria or other toxic substances. This can be from eating spoiled food out of a trash can, table scraps, dead animals from outside, and vomit or feces from other animals. It is also known as gastroenteritis, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, or food poisoning. Garbage toxicosis may be recognized by watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting, but can also be severe enough to cause inability to control body movements, hypothermia, and shock.
Symptoms of Garbage Toxicosis (Garbage Gut) in Dogs
The signs of garbage toxicosis depend on what kind of bacteria is involved, but the most commonly reported side effects are:
- Diarrhea (may be bloody or watery)
- Vomiting (can be projectile vomiting with or without blood)
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Appetite loss
- Sleepiness
- High body temperature
- Depression
- Dehydration
- Panting
- Flatulence (gas)
- Weakness
- Shock (cold extremities, weak pulse, inactivity, respiratory failure)
- Seizures (rare)
- Death (rare)
Types
Garbage toxicosis is possible in any breed of dog at any age, both male and female, but there are certain high-risk categories, which are:
- Outdoor dogs
- Small and toy breed dogs (Maltese, Miniature Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Miniature Pinscher, Shih Tzu, and Yorkshire Terrier)
- Young dogs under five years old
Causes of Garbage Toxicosis (Garbage Gut) in Dogs
The cause of garbage toxicosis is eating food, waste, feces, or carrion that is infected with bacteria, such as:
- Bacillus
- Clostridium botulinum
- Clostridium perfringens
- Escherichia coli
- Penitrem-A (a neurotoxin)
- Salmonella
- Staphylococcus
- Streptococcus
Diagnosis of Garbage Toxicosis (Garbage Gut) in Dogs
Most cases of garbage toxicosis are mild, but some can be serious, especially in a small breed, young, or older dog. Since two of the most common side effects are diarrhea and vomiting, dehydration is a serious worry in garbage toxicosis. The bacteria involved is also a concern because some types of bacterial infections may cause central nervous system symptoms such as loss of muscle control and seizures. The only way to determine which type of bacteria is involved is to take your pet to a veterinary professional. If you cannot get an appointment to see your veterinarian within 24 hours, you should go ahead and take your dog to a veterinary clinic or animal hospital.
The veterinarian will do a physical examination on your dog to check reflexes, temperature, body weight and height, breath sounds, pupil reaction time, abdominal palpation, blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate. Afterward, the veterinarian will need to perform some laboratory tests.
A CBC (complete blood count) will show a decreased plasma volume and increase in red blood cells and neutrophils (certain white blood cells). A biochemical profile may show low glucose, sodium, chloride ion, albumin, potassium, globulin, and protein levels consistent with electrolyte disturbances. The PCV (packed cell volume) will be 55% or higher in most cases due to dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea.
A stool sample will be taken for a bacterial culture in order to determine the bacteria that is involved. A urinalysis may show decreased glucose and concentrated urine due to dehydration. Abdominal radiographs (X-rays) and ultrasounds will also be performed and may show a partial or complete diffusion of the intestine and fluid in the loops of the bowel. If necessary, the veterinarian may need to get an MRI or CT scan for a better look at the intestinal tract and stomach.
Treatment of Garbage Toxicosis (Garbage Gut) in Dogs
Treating garbage toxicosis in dogs is similar to treating a patient who has been poisoned. The best course of treatment will ultimately depend on the symptoms and health of your dog, but most often include getting the toxins out of the system and treating the symptoms.
Evacuation
If your dog has been vomiting already, there is usually no need to give an emetic, such as ipecac syrup, apomorphine, or hydrogen peroxide. In addition, activated charcoal will probably be given to absorb the excess bacteria or toxins.
Detoxification
Intravenous (IV) fluids and electrolytes will be given to rehydrate and flush the kidneys.
Medications
Some medications that the veterinarian may give your pet are muscle relaxants to control seizures, H2 blockers for gastric upset, and antibiotics for infection.
Observation
The veterinarian may want to keep your dog overnight for observation and fluid therapy.
Recovery of Garbage Toxicosis (Garbage Gut) in Dogs
Chances of recovery are good if you are able to get treatment before the toxins are completely absorbed into the bloodstream (about 8-12 hours). The veterinarian may send you home with antidiarrheal medication, antibiotics, and H2 blockers, so make sure you give as prescribed. Bring your dog back for a follow up as directed by the veterinarian and call if you have any questions.
Garbage Toxicosis (Garbage Gut) Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Has Symptoms
My French bull dog is around 10 month old. I didn’t realise there was an old rubbish bag in the garden. She had got into it and likely ate something. It was over a week before I realised. She was being sick on and off and had diarrhoea. She was still eating, drinking and playing as normal. However tonight she started to shake which got worse and worse. I took her to the emergency vets by this point it was clear she was having a fit and was unaware of what was going on. Her temperature was 106 and rising. Unfortunately she had to be put to sleep. The vet thought it could be poisoning but after she passed away, he said it was a seizure caused by her breed and pressure on the skull as he said usually with poisoning when pts vomit or diarrhoea would come away but there was nothing so he thinks because of the breed she was a ticking time bomb. I didn’t know till I was home about the rubbish so I wanted to know if it could be because of the rubbish or if it was just her breed.
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My 12 year old Australian Shepherd got in to the trash yesterday morning. He is eating, drinking water normally, just had diarrhea last night once and then once in the house during the night. He seems fine other than the diarrhea, after we let him out again before work this AM he came in to eat his breakfast. Is there anything that I can do to help with the diarrhea?? We currently do not have the money to take him to the Vet. I am monitoring him as we speak.
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I have an almost 2 year old miniature dachshund who got into the trash yesterday. She was acting fine, but her stool was getting kind of runny as the night progressed. Today she’s had lots if accidents around the house, but the stool consistency has changed from morning to afternoon. This morning it was trying to be solid, but now its straight liquid and a bloody. She just threw up for the first time, and it was just white foam. We haven’t fed her much and we plan on getting her some pedialyte to increase her electrolytes and all. We also plan on feeding her maybe some rice so that’ll be light on her stomach. Should we wait it out for maybe another two days or do we need to plan on an emergency vet visit?
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My puppy got into the trash yesterday and has diarrhea the past 12 hours. She has gotten up 6 times throughout the night to go potty, and each time she goes it is very runny. She is acting normally otherwise, should I be very concerned or will this likely pass soon?
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My 11 week old Pyrador puppy (24 pounds) got into the trash last night sometime. Immediately after she had a solid BM without blood. The next morning she had solid vomit in her kennel which contained various pieces of plastic. She went outside, urinated well, and then had a solid BM which contained eggshells and tissue paper. After her (science diet) breakfast, she threw up again and it had food and small pieces of plastic. She continued to vomit promptly after each meal and drink of water. After vomiting up everything, I waited a few hours and gave her R/D wet food. She’s been able to keep it down with about 2 cups of water. She had a BM this evening as well which contained eggshells, small debris, and a rather long string of some sort. Since then, she has been energetic and has kept the R/D down. Would you recommend taking her to the vet anyway? Or do you think she has passed the possible obstruction?
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I believe my my dog bear ate someone’s garbage. He’s had bloody diarrhea and vomiting Whole Foods. He’s drinking water, acting normal just having vomiting and diarrhea. Any home remedies to comfort him?
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Hayzel has gotten into garbage, got ahold of a dead rabbit and recently ate French toast. She has vomited, diarrhea, sleepiness, and lack of appetite. What do I do?
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We don’t currently have the money to take Hayzel to the vet. Is there any home remedies I could try?
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I have a dachshund and she got into the trash can while I was gone. She was eating a piece of chicken that had been cooked, but when bad. She has a Diarrhea once and she going to be okay?
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My small 6 year old toy poodle got into the garbage last night. This morning she is walking strange, if at all, and her belly is hard and large. Is she going to be ok? My vet ia closed today and im worried?
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My dog got into the garbage. He threw up and then made a regular stool. He has not eaten in 24 hours and has had a small amount of diarrhea. He is drinking water but is very lethargic.
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My medium sized dog got into the garbage last night. This morning he has absolutely no appetite (not even his favorite foods). He doesn't seem to be in any pain or discomfort and has not vomitted and doesn't have any diarrhea. Should I take him to the vet?
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My dog got into trash the food wasn't spoiled yet and he vomited 30 min later, but his stomach is very full and he is drinking alot of water and he keeps panting, is he ok?
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