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"First Aid: Poisoning in Pets"

What should I do if I suspect that my pet has been poisoned?

Exact name of the plant or poison.

How much the animal ate or came in contact with.

How long ago exposure or ingestion occured.

The animal's vital signs (temperature, heart rate, breathing rate, capillary refill time, and mucous membrane color.

The animal's weight.

Specific home therapy is based on ridding the pets body of the toxin.

Topical poisons

Wash the animal with large volumes of water. If your pet is having a reaction to a flea product a mild handsoap or shampoo can be used. If an oil-based toxin (such as petroleum products), use dishwashing liquids.

If the poison is in the eye, flush with large volumes of water.

If the poison is a powder, you need to dust or vacuum it off.

Inhaled poisons

Take the animal to fresh air as fast as possible.

Ingested Poisons

It may be ok to induce vomiting, but always check with your veterinarian or the National Animal Poison Control Center first. With some caustic substances it may be appropriate to administer milk, but this needs to be decided on a case to case basis. Do not induce vomiting in the following circumstances.

The animal is having difficulty breathing

The animal is seizuring, depressed or abnormally excited.

The animal is unconscious.

The toxin is a caustic like drain opener, an acid (battery) or a petroleum-based product.

The object eaten was pointed or sharp.

When the poison container says not to.

How to induce vomiting

Give household hydrogen peroxide 3% orally at a dose of one teaspoon (5ml) per 10 pounds (5kg) of body weight. This may be repeated every 15 to 20 minutes up to three times. No peroxide? Place 1 teaspoon of table salt into the animals mouth.

Always save the vomitus to show your veterinarian.

Warning! Never use Ipecac syrup which may be toxic to dogs and cats.

Plants that are poisonous to pets...

1-800-548-2423 or 1-900-680-0000