Project Description
If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or one of the other resources listed:
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline® 24-hour animal poison control service at (855) 764-7661
Alkalis/Bases
Exposure to alkaline/basic consumer products can cause severe complications in animals. Due to irritation and corrosion, tissue damage is a particular risk.
Ingredients of concern include sodium hypochlorite, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, and sodium silicate. These can be found in many household products including drain cleaners, dry cell batteries, hair relaxers, lye, non-chlorine bleach and oven cleaners.
Signs and symptoms of toxicity: Clinical signs of toxicity include vomiting (especially containing blood), bloody stool, abdominal pain, refusal to eat, coughing, and loud breathing.
Toxic consumption: There is no established threshold for toxicity. All incidents of exposure should be reported immediately. It is important to note that vomiting should not be encouraged as further tissue damage could occur.
References:
Osweiler, G, et al. (2011). Blackwell’s five-minute veterinary consult clinical companion. Small Animal Toxicology. [Kindle version]. Retrieved from Amazon.com
Pet Poison Control is provided free as a public service by the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists. Today we’re asking you to support us with a small donation. If you would like to dedicate your gift in honor or memory of a pet or individual, you will have that option before checkout. Your gift of any amount helps us maintain this resource and make it available to the pharmacy and veterinary communities. Thank you!
