Pet Poisoning Emergencies - Prevention and Care
Always plan in advance and have the numbers for your regular and emergency veterinarian
posted on your refrigerator or somewhere easily located in a panic situation.
If you are unable to contact a veterinarian you can call -
ASPCA Poison Control (888)426-4435
Pet Poison Helpline (800)213-6680
AKC Reunite Microchip service also has a Pet Poison Hotline available at fee of $15.00 for the LIFE of your canine.
800-252-7894
FIRST - DON’T PANIC!
Get a handle on the situation by following these guidelines:
- Safely remove any remaining poisonous material from your pets reach.
- Gather the container or substance to bring to the veterinary hospital or to describe to the Pet
Poison Helpline expert you contact.
- Collect a sample of any material that your pet may have vomited.
If your pet has ingested something that could be harmful, the prognosis is always better when immediately reported; it is safer for your pet and less expensive to treat before your pet has developed symptoms. That is because decontamination (like inducing vomiting, having the stomach pumped, or administering activated charcoal) can only be performed within a narrow window of time.
Even if your pet is not immediately exhibiting signs of poisoning, it is important to seek professional advice if you suspect that your pet has ingested a poisonous substance. When in doubt, call for help first.
They may ask:
- What you pet ingested and when
- How much your pet ingested (how many pills, what milligram strength they were, etc.)
- Pet’s current weight
- Pet’s known medical history, including any medications (prescriptions and supplements)
VOMIT OR NOT TO VOMIT -
Many people assume that they should induce vomiting if their pet has ingested something poisonous, However, forcing your pet to vomit could actually cause more harm or even be dangerous if done improperly or at the wrong time.
Keep these guidelines in mind :
- If your pet is already showing signs of poisoning, it is too late to induce vomiting
- If your pet has certain medical problems (like laryngeal paralysis r brachycephalic syndrome), inducing vomiting is not recommended and can make your pet’s condition worse.
- Certain toxins (such as corrosive cleaners and hydrocarbons such as gasoline, paint thinners and kerosene) should NOT be brought back up. Inducing vomiting after the ingestion of a corrosive material may ultimately cause more harm to your pet.
MOST IMPORTANT !!! Always seek veterinary advice before administering any kind of treatment yourself!
HOME REMEDIES
In the panic of a poisoning emergency, many people give their pets kitchen staples such as milk, peanut butter, vegetable oil or salt - none of which should ever be given to an animal in distress.
Seemingly “common sense” home remedies should never be administered without veterinary supervision. Pets can experience adverse reactions to even the most “harmless” of remedies given by the most well intentioned owners. Contact a veterinary or Pet Poison Helpline first!
TRANSPORTING A POISONED PET
Handling an ill animal requires extra precautions to ensure the safety of both you and your pet. If your pet is sedate, carefully transport him to the car or, better yet, have someone drive while you watch your pet.
In rare circumstances when your pet may have ingested a specific type of gopher or mole poison (zinc phosphide), contact Pet Poison Helpline before attempting to administer first aid, as byproducts of these poisons can be extremely harmful to humans too.
GET HELP
If your pet is unconscious, convulsing or having difficulty breathing, go immediately to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital.
BE PREPARED
Have the number for your veterinarian, veterinary emergency clinic and Pet Poisoning Helpline programmed into your phones so there will not be any time delay. The last thing you need is to be delayed while locating a number during an emergency.
POISONING FIRST AID KIT
- Hydrogen peroxide 3% (unexpired)
- Liquid dishwashing detergent (such as Palmolive or Dawn)
- Rubber gloves
- Triple antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin)
- Vitamin E oil or capsules
- Diphenhydramine liquid or 25mg tablets (such as Benadryl), with no other combination ingredients
- Ophthalmic saline solution or artificial tears, with no other combination of ingredients
- Can or pouch of tuna packed in water, chicken broth or some type of tasty canned pet food
- Sweet electrolyte beverage (such as Gatorade)
- Corn syrup
Remember that you should avoid giving the following items to dogs -
Artificial sweeteners
Grapes and Raisins
Large amounts of sugar in general
Apple seeds
Any type of Alcohol, Beer or Wine
Onions (in large quantities)
Raw Eggs
Garlic (in large quantities)
Yeast Dough
Liver or Iron vitamin supplements (in large quantities)
Chocolate
Mushrooms
Macadamia nuts
Broccoli
Pits from Peaches or Plums
Tomato stems or leaves
Raw Fish
Rhubarb Leaves
Chicken Bones
Fish Bones
Coffee, Tea or anything with Caffeine
Cat Food (in large quantities)
Milk or other Dairy products unless Lactides are removed
Ibuprofen Acetaminophen
Amphetamines such as ADD/ADHD drugs
ALL PALMS, PLANT AND SEED, ARE CONSIDERED POISONOUS
Poisonous Plants
● Bulbs: Amaryllis , Autumn Crocus , Daffodil , Day Lily , Elephant Ears , Gladiolas , Hyacinth , Iris , Lily of the Valley , Narcissus , Orange Day Lily , Tulip
● Ferns: Asparagus Fern , Australian Nut , Emerald Feather (aka Emerald Fern) , Emerald Fern (aka Emerald Feather) , Lace Fern , Plumosa Fern
● Flowering Plants: Cyclamen , Hydrangea , Kalanchoe , Poinsettia
● Garden Perennials: Charming Dieffenbachia , Christmas Rose , Flamingo Plant , Foxglove , Marijuana , Morning Glory , Nightshade , Onion , Tomato Plant , Tropic Snow Dumbcane
● House Plants: Ceriman (aka Cutleaf Philodendron) , Chinese Evergreen , Cordatum , Corn Plant (aka Cornstalk Plant) , Cutleaf Philodendron (aka Ceriman) , Devil's Ivy , Dumb Cane , Golden Pothos , Green Gold Nephthysis , Marble Queen , Mauna Loa Peace Lily , Nephthytis , Peace Lily , Red-Margined Dracaena , Striped Dracaena , Taro Vine , Warneckei Dracaena
● Lilies: Asian Lily (liliaceae) , Easter Lily, Glory Lily , Japanese Show Lily , Red Lily , Rubrum Lily , Stargazer Lily , Tiger Lily , Wood Lily
● Shrubs: Cycads , Heavenly Bamboo , Holly , Jerusalem Cherry , Mistletoe "American" , Oleander , Precatory Bean , Rhododendron , Saddle Leaf Philodendron , Sago Palm , Tree Philodendron , Yucca
● Succulents: Aloe (Aloe Vera)
● Trees: Avocado , Buddist Pine , Chinaberry Tree , Japanese Yew (aka Yew) , Lacy Tree , Macadamia Nut , Madagascar Dragon Tree , Queensland Nut , Schefflera , Yew (aka Japanese Yew)
● Vines: Branching Ivy , English Ivy , European Bittersweet , Glacier Ivy , Hahn's self branching English Ivy , Needlepoint Ivy
● Misc./Uncategorized: American Bittersweet , Andromeda Japonica , Azalea , Bird of Paradise , Buckeye , Caladium Hortulanum , Calla Lily , Castor Bean , Clematis , Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron , Florida Beauty , Fruit Salad Plant , Golden Dieffenbachia , Gold Dust Dracaena , Heartleaf Philodendron , Horsehead Philodendron , Hurricane Plant , Mexican Breadfruit , Mother-in-law , Panda , Philodendron Pertusum , Red Emerald , Red Princess , Ribbon Plant , Satin Pothos , Spotted Dumb Cane , Sweetheart Ivy , Swiss Cheese Plant , Variable Dieffenbachia , Variegated Philodendron , Yesterday/Today/Tomorrow Plant
General Dangers - Keep these substances away from pets
Rodent, snail and slug baits
Blood Meal
Bone Meal
Insecticides
Fertilizers
Household Toxins
Cleaning solutions
Antifreeze
Fragrance sprays
Drain and Toilet cleaners
Ammonia
Lye
Batteries
Bleach
Enzymatic cleaners
Fabric Softeners
Glow Jewelry
Ice Melt products
Liquid potpourri
Moth balls
Paint solvents and lacquers
Paintballs
Pine oil/essential oils
Grease removing solvents
Teflon Cookware (birds)