Don't Poison Your Pets
Be Proactive to Prevent Poisoning, but Also...Be Prepared to React
Mar 16, 2009
Sunny had been adopted into a loving home, but her time as a stray left her with a compulsion to never pass up a free meal. One morning her “mom” awoke to find the 80-pound Labrador standing on the kitchen counter with her snout in a bowl of chocolate kisses. Luckily this pet parent’s timing saved the day and only a few morsels were consumed by the mischievous canine who suffered only a scolding, but…a much smaller dog might have experienced rapid heart beat, vomiting, seizures and even death from consuming chocolateBe Proactive
- Literally, "get down on all fours," and examine your house & yard from your pet’s perspective getting harmful items out of reach.
- If your dog is "curious," install child-proof locks on cabinet doors and maybe even the refrigerator!
- Read labels checking for "Pet-Friendly” chemicals. Remember dogs may lick floors and countertops that were cleaned with products that could be poisonous if ingested.
Get Prepared
- Have the phone numbers for your Veterinarian & Poison Control easily accessible.
- Know how much your pet weighs as antidotes as well as medications for inducing vomiting are adminstered according to your pet's body weight. Additionally, poisoning is relative to size, so by knowing your pet's weight and how much of a toxin he may have consumed, you can quickly determine how serious the situation is. In other words, the amount of a poisonous substance that could be lethal to a Chihuahua may have no effect on a Great Dane.
- Have a well-stocked Pet First-Aid Kit available at all times.
Gather Information
- Determine "what" was ingested, "how much" and "how long ago" to the best of your knowledge.
- Check your pet's Vitals (temperature, heart rate, respiration, gum color).
- Observe symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, bleeding, lethargy).
React Quickly, Confidently and Efficiently
Read the label on the toxin, call your Veterinarian, Animal ER or Poison Control, and do as instructed:
- To Induce Vomiting, administer 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (1 tablespoon per 15 lbs. of pet’s body weight) with an eye dropper or syringe onto the back of tongue until swallowed. You may give up to three doses 5 minutes apart. If your pet does not vomit, take him quickly to the Veterinarian. Even if he does vomit, it's a good idea to take a vomit sample, the poison container and your pet to the Animal Hospital to make sure all of the poison has left his system and that he isn't suffering any ill effects.
- To Dilute caustic poisons, feed milk or yogurt; activated charcoal (or even burned toast) may be recommended to absorb poison – then get to the Vet!
Common Poisons include: alcoholic beverages, antifreeze, batteries, detergents and cleaner; fertilizers and insecticides; medications, plants, trash and foods such as chocolate, coffee/tea, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, onions, bread dough, peach and other fruit seeds/pits, gravies, fat and poultry skin. Visit ASPCA or HSUS for a frequently updated list.
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