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This is a medication that we do use sometimes in dogs to help them relax and sleep, and in cases that have abnormal shedding patterns related to seasonal light changes or abnormal growth hormone fluctuations. The usual dose in dogs is 2mg to 12mg per dog every 12 to 24 hours. So a 5mg dose should not be an issue, even for a small dog.
However please read the label and make sure this is NOT the fast dissolve tablets of Melatonin with xylitol, as xylitol is extremely toxic for dogs.
If the pill contained xylitol we need to induce vomiting and treat the toxicity aggressively.
If we can get the xylitol out of his body before he has time to digest and absorb it, by inducing vomiting quickly, and he won’t have time to start showing initial symptoms such as vomiting, weakness, incoordination, and severe lethargy, we are likely to be successful in avoiding the truly toxic effects of xylitol, seizures, coma, liver disease and/or failure.(1)
If it has been less than 1 hour since he ingested the pill it is well worth inducing vomiting.
You can give him 1 tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide soaked up with bread chunks or a small amount of food.
Then take him outside and run him around to get the peroxide bubbling so he vomits.
If no vomiting in 10 minutes repeat the peroxide dose once.
If he vomits and seems to clear his stomach and be done I would check to see if most or all of the pill is present.
If it has already been 2 hours it is likely the pill is out of his stomach and it is probably too late to induce vomiting. At that point you cannot change things much at home, and I would encourage you to get him to an emergency clinic now. Most dogs that are going to get sick show symptoms within the first 30 to 60 minutes post exposure, but some take a little longer.
If you do not have fresh (unexpired) 3% hydrogen peroxide immediately available then he needs an emergency clinic visit, you don’t have time to run out and buy it with a quick dissolve pill.
If you get him to vomit all of the pill I recommend watching him closely and feeding small, frequent meals over the next 48 hours to keep his blood sugar up just as a precaution.
If you get him to vomit all of the pill but want to be especially careful you can have his blood sugar checked daily for the next couple of days.
But if the pill did not contain xylitol then he should be just fine, although possibly very sleepy tonight. (1)
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- https://www.justanswer.com/pet-dog/aafxb-small-10-lb-dog-just-ate-mg-melatonin-kona-yr-no.html