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Cassells Animal Hospital

Dog on a Log in Forest

Pet Care Information

A Brown/White Beagle (Dog) Being Examined by a Veterinarian

Pet Poison Help

My Pet has Been Poisoned! Help!

Our pets are very curious and will often eat anything they can get their mouth on. Accidental poisonings are actually quite common, here are some helpful tips to help us most successfully treat your pet.

Pet Poison Steps

First Step

If your pet has consumed something, especially a human medication or plant, do not assume that everything will be fine. Some of the most common pain controls available for humans are actually quite lethal in dogs and cats even in the smallest quantities. Something else to be aware of is that making your pet vomit is not always the way we treat the ingestion of a toxin. Some poisons/toxins can actually cause a lot more damage if vomited up. For this reason, if you suspect your pet has ingested something potentially toxic, we strongly suggest that you contact one of the Animal Poison Helplines listed below. *A small fee may apply.

The agent will look up what your pet’s ingested and give you information about the product (poisonous?), the treatments (if any), and give you a case number. If your pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian, then please call us immediately and bring all information and the case number with you so we initiate treatments or can the poison helpline for further instructions if needed.

If you are not sure what to do, please call us immediately and we will give you guidance on the best approach given your situation.

Second Step

Bring the packaging of the product that was consumed. Often times we can call the company and obtain more information about the product, or instructions on the decontamination process.

Third Step

Do not wait and see. Some poisons are very quickly absorbed and even hesitating for 30-60 minutes may mean the difference between reversible vs. non-reversible effects.

Poison Help Links:

Pet's First Aid Kit

What should I have in my pet’s First Aid Kit?

Basic First Aid Supplies

  • Absorbent gauze pads

  • Adhesive tape

  • Antiseptic wipes, lotion, powder, or spray

  • Blanket (a foil emergency blanket)

  • Cotton balls or swabs

  • Gauze rolls

  • Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting—do this only when directed by a veterinarian or a poison-control expert)

  • Ice pack

  • Non-latex disposable gloves

  • Petroleum jelly (to lubricate the thermometer)

  • Rectal thermometer (your pet’s temperature should not rise above 39.5°C or 103.1°F or fall below 37°C or 98.6°F)

  • Scissors (with blunt ends)

  • Sterile non-stick gauze pads for bandages

  • Sterile saline solution (sold at pharmacies)

  • Tweezers & Tick twister

  • A pillowcase to confine your cat for treatment

  • A pet carrier

**Please use extreme caution when using hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting as it may cause stomach ulcers and severe blood loss when used outside of the guidance of a veterinarian.

Other Useful Items

  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) A veterinarian must tell you the correct dosage for your pet’s size.

  • Ear-cleaning solution

  • Expired credit card or sample credit card (from direct-mail credit-card offers) to scrape away insect stingers

  • Glucose paste or corn syrup (for diabetic dogs or those with low blood sugar)

  • Nail clippers

  • Non-prescription antibiotic ointment

  • Tylenol (Formulations recommended: children’s (small dog), regular strength (large dog)) A veterinarian MUST give you the correct dosage for your dog.

  • Penlight or flashlight

  • Plastic eyedropper or syringe

  • Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) to clean the thermometer

  • Splints and tongue depressors

  • Styptic powder or pencil (sold at veterinary hospitals, pet-supply stores, and your local pharmacy)

  • Temporary identification tag (to put your local contact information on your pet’s collar when you travel)

  • Towels

  • Needle-nosed pliers

**Please NEVER give your dog any over-the-counter medications without a veterinarian’s approval. Some day-to-day human pain and/or fever relievers are extremely toxic in the smallest of doses!! Eg. Advil (Ibuprofen), Alieve, etc. If your pet is on other medications, please check with a veterinarian prior to giving OTC medications as well as some medications can produce negative drug reactions when used together (whether dosed at the same time, same day, even same week!).