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Tips when pet is poisoned (ingested)
ACT QUICKLY AND SEEK IMMEDIATE VETERINARY ATTENTION
1) Quickly try to identify the suspected poison. If caused by some household item, try to take the packet/bottle with you. If the animal is comatose or convulsing don’t take time trying to identify the poison.
2) First aid treatment can be administered on the way to the vet. Phone your vet on the way so they can prepare a range of emergency drugs.
• If the animal is conscious and not convulsing, induce vomiting by giving 1 tablespoon of salt on the back of the tongue, or give 5 ml of hydrogen peroxide orally every 5 minutes. Save the vomitus for your vet.
• If the animal is comatose or convulsing DO NOT induce vomiting as the animal may ‘drown’ in its own vomit.
• If the animal may have ingested corrosive materials (e.g. acid, kerosene, etc) DO NOT induce vomiting but give milk or water to dilute the poison.
• In the case of convulsions, try to keep the animal from injuring itself while in transport.
Clinical signs of poisoning may include:
• Fever
• Skin discoloration
• Extremes in body temperature
• Excess salivation
• Panting
• Erratic pulse
• Seizure/convulsions
• Collapse
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Neurological disfunction
Items in your home that can poison your pet (this list is not exhaustive):
Large number of plants.
• Snake bite.
• Prescription medicines.
• Cleaning fluids and powders.
• Chemical fertilizers, snail bait, rat poison.
• Cigarette butts.
• Onion, chocolate, garlic, raisins, grapes — to name just a few.
