Accepted Answer

Hello.

Thanks for writing in to JustAnswer. I hope I can be of assistance.

The good news is that most ant baits and roach baits are considered minimally toxic and the active ingredients usually cause no problems, except possibly mild upset stomach. If anything, it is the plastic portion of these baits that tends to be more of an issue--if ingested, the plastic itself can cause a lot of irritation of the GI system.

The only exception I could find with my research was if an ant bait or roach bait contains arsenic as one of the active ingredients. If this is the case (check the ingredient list from the box if you still have it) it would be a good idea to induce vomiting to be on the safe side. To induce vomiting in a small dog, give a tablespoon or so of hydrogen peroxide orally. The dog will typically vomit in 5-15 minutes and may vomit several times. This cleans out their stomach before any possible toxin might be absorbed. To be effective, vomiting should be induced within 30 minutes or less of eating an unusual item.

Here is information from the Veterinary Information Network:

"Ant and roach baits are common objects found in households. They are also referred to as hotels, traps, or stations. The insecticides used most commonly in these baits are chlorpyrifos, sulfluramid, fipronil, avermectin, boric acid, and hydramethylnon. . The baits usually contain inert ingredients such as peanut butter, breadcrumbs, sugar and vegetable or animal, which could be attracting to pets. Exposures to these types of ant baits usually do not require decontamination or treatment. Most often, if signs are seen at all, they are mild in nature and self-limiting and are usually attributed to the inert ingredients instead of the active ingredient. The containers could be a foreign body obstruction.

However, there are some ant stakes that contain forms of arsenic that can result in more sever GI signs, with exposures to those, decontaminate with emesis and give GI protection. Also, monitor and treat symptomatically for GI upset."

At this point, I would check the ingredient list and monitor your dog closely. If he seems to be getting very ill (vomiting that progresses, very lethargic, etc.), of course it is always the safest route to bring him to an emergency vet to be checked out. But I suspect you will see no issues other than perhaps a mildlly upset stomach.

Thanks, I hope that helps.

Expert:	Dr. Marcia
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	7/1/2008

Dog Veterinarian

I am a Companion Animal Veterinarian with 12 years of medical and surgical experience