Do you know what to do if your pet has potentially ingested a toxin?
This month is Pet Poison Awareness Month, and we want to make sure you know what to do if the unexpected happens - if your pet has ingested a toxin.
Here are the steps we recommend:
1. Remove your pet from the area and toxin. This is to ensure that your pet does not have any further access to the toxin- both access to ingest or absorb through the skin.
2. Evaluate your pet: Are they breathing and acting normally? Look at your pet: what do you see? Is your pet having excess drooling? Do you notice any vomit in the area surrounding your pet? Is your pet panting rapidly or breathing very slowly? Are their pupils the normal size? Any information you can gather is helpful. If your pet is already showing signs of a severe reaction, contact your veterinarian or local veterinary emergency center immediately.
3. Do not induce vomiting or give any antidote! In certain situations, inducing vomiting or giving an antidote can actually cause more issues and it is not recommended unless under the direct supervision or instruction of a veterinarian.
4. Contact Pet Poison Control at (855)764-7661 (available 24/7). Call and speak with a trained professional who can let you know more about the potential reactions your pet might show in regards to the toxin they may have ingested. The information you gather from this resource will be vital to pass along to your veterinarian if your pet does need medical attention. With certain toxins, reactions may be mild and may not require an emergency trip to the veterinarian- it is usually recommended to call Poison Control first. (There may be charges associated with this phone call.)
5. If your pet did ingest a toxin, contact your Veterinarian or Veterinary Emergency Center immediately. If your pet does need medical care, be sure to bring any/all information about the ingested toxin with you. If your pet has ingested a medication or chemical, bring the bottle along with you. Take pictures of any plants or labels so that the veterinarian can determine the best course of treatment based on what your pet has ingested. Never hesitate to get necessary medical care for your pet because of what has been ingested - your veterinarian and their staff want to help you and your pet and will not judge!
To learn more about pet toxins in and around your home, you can visit www.petpoisonhelpline.com.