Metaldehyde is a common ingredient in some slug and snail pellets (although not all pellets contain metaldehyde, so check the label). The pellets are green/blue and dogs especially seem drawn to eating them.
The mechanism of toxicity is not thoroughly understood. It appears that it interferes with the chemical transmissions in the brain, leading to the classic symptoms of incoordination, tremors and convulsions.
The main symptoms of metaldehyde toxicity include: - Wobbliness and incoordination - Drooling - Twitching and muscle tremors - Breathing difficulty - Seizures - High temperature - Coma and death
There is no specific treatment for metaldehyde toxicity. Some common treatments include: - Treating the seizures and convulsions (general anaesthetic may be needed) - Decontaminating the stomach by inducing vomiting (if the dog is bright) or pumping the stomach - Medication to relax the muscles if spasms and tremors are present - Cooling the dog if hyperthermic - Intravenous fluids (a drip) - Nursing and supportive care
With aggressive and appropriate treatment, most animals will recover in 2-3 days, although metaldehyde toxicity can be fatal in some cases.
Yes. Slug and snail pellets can be highly toxic to pets! A common ingredient in slug and snail pellets – metaldehyde – is extremely toxic to dogs and cats and can quickly be fatal if left untreated.