7 Simple Tips To Follow If Your Pet Is Poisoned

Remember Your Pets During Poison Prevention Week

March 15-21 marks the 53^rd anniversary of Poison Prevention Week. Poison prevention is serious business and over the decades the information distributed via the American Association of Poison Control Centers has no doubt saved many lives. This information had for many years been directed at families especially those with children, but did you know that there are 24/7 Animal Poison Control Hotlines?

Springtime can be especially dangerous as pets may ingest or come in contact with gardening products like insecticides, weed killers and toxic plants.

Many human medications such as pain relievers, antidepressants, ADD/ADHD medications, sleep aids, muscle relaxants and heart medications are toxic to pets. Human foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, unbaked bread dough, sugar free gum and more are toxic to your pets.

So what should you do if your pet is poisoned?

1. Remain Calm

2. Remove your pet from the area

3. Check to make sure your pet is breathing and acting normally

4. Do NOT give your pet any home remedies or induce vomiting

5. Call a Pet Poison Control Hotline (listed below)

6. If veterinary care is necessary call your vet immediately

7. Collect and have on hand any material involved and a sealed bag of anything your pet may have vomited or chewed as this can be very helpful to your vet if treatment is necessary.

In the event of a poison emergency don’t want to wait till symptoms arise. It is important to take action immediately. Many poisonings can have serious or life threatening outcomes. While prevention is the best cure it is worthwhile to have Pet Poison Control numbers handy should a poisoning occur.