Emergency Checklist
The most important thing to remember in a poison-related pet emergency is do not panic. Anxiety and fear will only interfere with your ability to help your pet.
First, collect any material that may have been ingested into a plastic bag or container. This includes any chewed remnants or vomit. Any material you can provide may help your veterinarian and/or toxicologist determine what poison(s) may have been consumed.
Contact your local veterinary specialist or one of the other resources* below:
• 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
*There may be consultation fee for these service.
Be ready to provide the following information about the animal(s) involved:
- species
- breed
- age
- sex
- weight
- symptoms
- agent exposed to (if known)
- amount of agent involved
- time since exposure occurred
It is also helpful to have any product packaging or container nearby for reference.
Please note: If your pet is having seizures, unconscious (or losing consciousness), or having difficulty breathing, immediately take your animal to a local veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic.
Emergency Kit
Invest in an emergency first-aid kit for your pet. Please consult your veterinarian as to when to use these first-aid products. In this kit include:
- your local veterinarian’s contact information
- a bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide (induces vomiting)
- a large syringe or turkey baster (to help administer hydrogen peroxide)
- saline eye solution* (use to flush eyes exposed to harmful substances)
- artificial tear gel* (use to lubricate eyes after flushing)
- mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid (use to bathe animal after skin contamination)
- forceps (for removal of stingers)
- muzzle (protects you against fear-induced biting)
- can of wet pet food
- pet carrier
*Make sure the eye drops do not contain imidazolines, such as oxymetazoline and tetrahydrozoline.