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Dogs and cats, being curious by nature, tend to explore such unusual places as woodpiles and weed thickets, as well as every crack and crevice in your closets and storage areas. This behavior puts them at risk for contacting all kinds of insects, dead animals, toxic plants and poison bait traps. Any of these, if contacted by your pet, can cause some kind of poisoning. Knowing what to do in the event of a poisoning to your pet can make the difference between life and death. General principles for the initial management of poisoning are discussed here. Many times the exact cause of poisoning will not be known because obviously our pets can't tell us where they were exposed to something toxic or what the substance is. Accidental poisonings are by far the most common, but one must always consider if it was malicious. Fortunately, this accounts for only a very small percentage of cases. Most cases of sudden death are caused by accidents and natural causes. If your pet ingests an unknown substance, it is important to determine if it is poisonous or not. Most hazardous products have labels listing ingredients and detailing whether or not they are toxic. Most will also supply an 800 number to call in case of accidental exposure. If this information is unavailable, you should call The National Animal Poison Control Center at 800-548-2423. Some poisons have specific antidotes; however, they should not be given unless a specific poison is known or highly suspected based on the circumstances. When symptoms of poisoning appear, it is most important to get to the nearest pet emergency center. If available, bring the source or container of poison with you to show to the emergency doctor. If the poison was ingested less than three hours before getting to the veterinarian, it may be a good idea to empty the patient's stomach. The most effective method is called gastric lavage. The veterinarian can pass a stomach tube, remove as much of the stomach contents as possible and then repeatedly rinse and wash the stomach out with large amounts of water. In some cases it may be preferable to induce vomiting before going to the veterinary hospital. Do not induce vomiting if the pet is unconscious, convulsing or having breathing trouble; if the pet has swallowed a household cleaning or petroleum product; if the pet has swallowed a sharp object such as a hook or needle; if the pet has already vomited; or if the label on the product says, "Do not induce vomiting." That being said, the easiest way to induce vomiting is to administer three percent hydrogen peroxide. Use a dose of 5 cc (1 teaspoon) per 10 pounds of body weight. Repeat every 10 to 15 minutes up to three times. Syrup of ipecac has been recommended in the past, but it is really a waste of time. After the poison has been emptied from the stomach, the veterinarian will usually give "activated charcoal" to bind any residual poison and prevent further absorption. If activated charcoal is not available, coat the intestines with milk and egg whites using 1/4 cup of egg whites and 1/4 cup of milk per 10 pounds of body weight. Administer the solution using a syringe or a baster after beating the ingredients together. Intensive care in a well-equipped veterinary facility improves the survival rate for poisoned veterinary patients. Intravenous fluids help support circulation, treat shock and protect the kidneys. An increase in urine output helps in eliminating the toxin. Glucocorticoids are given for their anti-inflammatory effects. Comatose patients may benefit from tracheal intubation and ventilation support during the acute phase of poisoning. Poisons can cause seizures in your pets. They are usually associated with prolonged periods of hypoxia (low blood oxygen) and the potential for brain damage. Recurrent or continuous seizures are usually controlled with intravenous diazepam (Valium) and barbiturates. Strychnine and other central nervous system poisons are often mistaken for epilepsy. This can be a problem because immediate veterinary attention is needed in poisoning cases, but not for most epileptic seizures. Seizures caused by poisoning usually are continuous or recur within minutes. Between seizures, the pet my exhibit tremors, incoordination, weakness, abdominal pain, or diarrhea. Most epileptic seizures are brief, seldom lasting more than two minutes, and are followed by a quiet period in which the patient may appear dazed. Gradually the pet returns to normal, usually within 30 minutes. By far the most common poisoning of pets comes from accidental exposure to both human and veterinary prescription medications. Veterinary products, in particular, are often flavored to encourage acceptance and may be eagerly consumed if your pet finds them. As always, the best treatment is prevention. Please make sure keep all medications, both human and veterinary, in a secure place. Keep medications tightly capped in childproof containers to prevent inadvertent consumption by pets or children. Also, never assume that a human drug is safe for pets. Always ask your veterinarian before giving any medications to your pet. Be mindful of keeping all household cleaning chemicals or yard products stored safely in closed cabinets so pets and children cannot get to them. It's a good idea to post your veterinarian's and Animal Poison Control phone numbers posted near your telephone for easy reference. -Dr. Michael Shaff owns and practices at The Animal Clinic of Woodmont located at 8295 N. Pine Island Rd in Tamarac, Fla. A University of Pennsylvania graduate, he is also a member of the South Florida Academy of Veterinary Medicine. He can be reached at (954) 726-3647 or by e-mail at acwoodmont@aol.com. |
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