First Aid and Emergency Care for Dogs and Cats by Cats Are People Too - HTML preview

First Aid for Poisoning

If you suspect that your pet has consumed a substance that is poisonous, look for evidence (i.e., an open container, a pool of antifreeze, etc.). Call your veterinarian or a poison control center and be prepared to answer the following questions:

**     What product caused the poisoning and how much was ingested?

**     When did the poisoning occur?

**     What symptoms are your pet exhibiting?

**     Can you retrieve a container or label from the poisonous substance to determine the active ingredient?

Follow the instructions of the veterinarian or the poison control center.

If you cannot get in touch with a veterinarian or a poison control center, then induce vomiting with the following exceptions:

Do not induce vomiting if:

**     the animal is unconscious, semi-conscious, or convulsing,

**     there is evidence that the poison was: a strong acid, an alkali (such as bleach), a petroleum product, a cleaning product, or   the substance was ingested more than 3 hours ago.

If your pet ingested one of these substances, or the poison was ingested more than 3 hours ago, it is imperative that you somehow get him to a veterinary facility for treatment. To induce vomiting:

**     Give full strength (3%) hydrogen peroxide by mouth at a dosage of 1 tablespoon per 15 to 20 pounds of body weight, or syrup of ipecac (follow label directions)

If the pet is going to be transported to a veterinary facility, search for containers of the poison to take with the animal. Transport the pet immediately: don't wait until vomiting commences (if you induced vomiting). Cleaning out your car is a small price to pay for a successful outcome in a serious poisoning case.

If you have any doubts as to whether a substance is poisonous, call a veterinarian or a poison control center.

Antifreeze has a sweet taste that may be tempting to cats and dogs; its ingestion is potentially fatal.