The chestnut tree, a dangerous plant for the dog
The leaves, buds and fruits of the horse chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastaneum), chestnuts, can be responsible for poisoning in dogs. All parts of the plant contain various toxic substances, including esculin with anti-coagulant effects.
Dogs are more likely to become poisoned in the fall when they ingest chestnuts that have fallen to the ground, during play or when they tend to eat everything and anything on the walk.
We do not know precisely the quantity of plant likely to cause signs of poisoning in dogs.
Chestnuts are also dangerous for the dog if your dog comes to swallow them whole, they can thus be the cause of an intestinal obstruction.
Don't confuse chestnut and brown
Unlike chestnuts, chestnuts (fruits of the Castanea Sativa chestnut tree) are not toxic to dogs. However, it is still not recommended to feed them to a dog because of their high starch content that the animal has trouble digesting. Eating too many chestnuts can therefore cause digestive problems.
What are the symptoms of chestnut poisoning in dogs?
The symptoms of chestnut poisoning in dogs appear within six hours of ingestion and are digestive in nature. They can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. These digestive disorders can be severe.
In case of severe poisoning, the animal can declare nervous disorders (depression, paralysis, convulsions etc.). In the most severe cases, death can occur from respiratory paralysis.
My dog ate chestnuts: what to do?
When a dog has eaten chestnuts in large enough quantities or has swallowed them whole, contact the nearest veterinarian who will tell you what to do.
Note, if you can, the time of ingestion and try to quantify the dose ingested to be able to communicate this information to the veterinarian. While waiting for specialist instructions, do not give your dog anything to eat or drink and do not try to induce vomiting.
In case of poisoning of your animal, it is also possible to contact a veterinary poison control center among:
- the Lyon CNITV: 04.78.87.10.40 - reachable 24/7 all year round,
- the CAPAE of Nantes: 02.40.68.77.40 - reachable 24 hours a day all year round,
- the Toulouse CAPAT: 05.61.19.39.40 - reachable from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every working day,
- the CNITV of Alfort: 01.48.93.13. 00- reachable from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on working days.
If your pet is already showing symptoms of poisoning, take it to your veterinarian without delay.