Severe Roundup Poisoning in Dogs, Early Symptoms, What To Do

 

How An Accidental Poisoning of Two Dogs Left One Canine Dead and One Fighting For Their Life

In March of 2016, my dog, and my roommate's dog were accidentally poisoned with Roundup weedkiller. Specifically, the product was applied around a garden area. Then, later the same day, a hose was left to run wide open on the ground, in the garden, and both dogs lapped up a bunch of this highly tainted water. Before dark, that first day, we noticed the initial alarming sign something was wrong. Plus, it took about 24 hours to put two and two together.

To set up the scenario, Sissy was mine, a ten to twelve year old Mexican Pit bull, a medium-sized dog about 70 pounds. Speckles was the roommate's dog, about two years old, an Australian snub-tail cattle dog, at about 85 pounds.

Day 1:

Both of the dogs simultaneously experienced paralysis from the hips and down. While they both had full use of the upper body. To us, it seemed very strange both dogs would suddenly experience the exact mysterious injury. 

Day 2:

The next morning, both dogs were in the same condition as the night before. Except, my dog would neither eat, or drink. And I'm not sure if my roommate's dog ate or drank. At some point that day, we realize what happened. The second night was worse for both dogs. Sissy had a heart attack that night and died in my arms. My roommate slept on the floor that night with Speckles afraid she was gonna die. 

Day 3:

Immediately, we started Speckles on charcoal to help flush the poisons from her body. And we put her on a special diet that consisted of raw eggs, and dairy milk.

Day 4:

We gave her more charcoal. And kept her on raw eggs and milk.

Day 5:

We do the same on day five. This whole time, I was highly motivated to save my roommate's dog. It was really personal since I lost Sissy. And since Speckles couldn't walk, it took both of us to carry her outside everyday. So, she could lay in the lawn and do her business.

Day 6:

We took her off the charcoal. And I started doing physical therapy with her to keep her muscles from going into atrophy. By that time, my roommate's friends had become aware of our situation, and were starting to wonder why my roommate didn't have Speckle put down because they know she was paralyzed. To which my roommate explained that I was committed, and determined to see his dog through to a full recovery. 

Day 7:

Eventually, we added meat to her raw egg and milk diet. We probably gave her pumpkin or whatever else we could think of that was healthy. 

Day 8:

At this point, we had a routine. She was still paralyzed. That told me, it would be a long process, and she would have to learn to walk again. But my roommate's other friends were becoming super annoyed with me. They could not believe I was encouraging the prolonged suffering of his beloved pet, and many of them started to hate me. And at our very lowest point, for a moment, my roommate wondered if they were right, and I was left alone without doubt in those moments.

Day 9:

And that went on.

Day 10:  

Day after day.

Day 11:

Speckles lost a lot of weight! She was kinda pudgy when it all began. And days turned into weeks...

Day 60: 

Later, some people admitted, they wanted to turn me in to authorities for animal abuse. But afraid they'd get my roommate in trouble, too. About this point we started working on ideas to get Speckles on her feet. So, we put her in a harness and hung her from a line where her weight barely touched the ground on all four feet. And then put a little pile of sand in front of her. Plus, she was starting to put her weight back on. 

Day 90: 

Speckles was fully recovered. With no lingering paralysis. She tends to be overweight even though she doesn't eat very much. Just like every girl at some point in their life. 

A couple of my roommate's friends stopped by, and I met one as I walked through the lawn. We stood and talked for a minute. Then, she looked across the yard, and asked, "Oh, did you guys get a pig?" When I saw what she was looking at, I said "No, that's Speckles!" Her chin hit the ground. She gave me a big hug and told me she loved me. But it was worth it way before that....

Now, Speckles is eleven years old. She hasn't slept on the floor for years. There is nothing notably wrong with her health to report at this time. She runs just as fast as she ever did as of August of 2025. 

It's almost as if the ordeal never happened. But we happily restored some folk's faith in humanity... And hopefully their belief in miracles.

Contact a veterinarian immediately if you suspect your animal has ingested a toxin, poison, or other harmful substance. Time is of the essence! And practices shown on this page are not a replacement for professional advice that can save your pet.