When toxic ingestion occurs, it is essential to bring your pet to the nearest animal hospital for veterinary care as quickly as possible. Larchmont Animal Clinic is happy to serve pet owners in Los Angeles, Wilshire, and Hancock Park. One service we offer is emergency care for toxic ingestion. Here’s what you need to know about pets and toxic ingestion.
How Toxic Ingestion Occurs
Pets explore the worlds with their mouths. They will lick, bite, and eat just about anything. If it smells interesting, in the mouth it goes – even if the object in question is poisonous to them. That leaves pet owners in stressful situations wondering whether or not the last item their pet ingested was toxic.
If your pet is not yet symptomatic after ingesting a toxic item, our vet might recommend emesis induction. When done successfully, emesis induction causes your pet to expel between 40 and 60 percent of its stomach contents, removing the toxic item from your pet’s system. If you know the object ingested is corrosive or caustic, do not induce vomiting.
There are other methods of treatment depending on the situation, such as gastric lavage, activated charcoal, and even colonic enemas. Our vet will work with you to determine the best course of action and deliver treatment promptly. Time is essential when battling toxic ingestion in cats and dogs alike.
Foods to Avoid
If you aren’t sure about what foods to avoid giving your pet, make this your go-to resource. While it is far from comprehensive, you might find some items you didn’t know about. It could save your pet’s life.
While you don’t want to give your pets a lot of human food, there are some items, like most cheese and eggs, that are perfectly safe for pets to eat. However, other foods can do a great deal of harm to your pets, including:
- Chocolate
- Apple seeds
- Avocados
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Garlic
- Items sweetened with Xylitol
- Onions or onion powder
- Macadamia nuts
- Mushrooms
- Walnuts
- Coffee
- Tea
- Peach, apricot, or cherry pits
- Moldy foods
- Chewing gum
Animal Hospital in Los Angeles
If you suspect toxic ingestion has occurred, seek veterinary assistance immediately. If you need toxic ingestion treatment in Hancock Park, Wilshire, or elsewhere in Los Angeles, Larchmont Animal Clinic is ready to assist you. For more information on how our animal hospital can assist you or to schedule an appointment, call us at (323) 463-4889.