Make Your Pet's Home Poison Safe: What To Do For A Poisoned Animal

Be Prepared for a Poison Emergency
Your animal may become poisoned in spite of your best efforts to secure your home. Because of this, we urge you to be prepared. Your animal companion should regularly be seen by a local veterinarian to maintain overall health. You should know the veterinarian's procedures for emergency situations, especially ones that occur after usual business hours.  You should keep the telephone numbers for the veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and a local emergency veterinary service in a convenient location.

Poison Safety Kit
Keep a pet safety kit on hand for emergencies. Such a kit should contain:

• A fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide 3% (USP)
• Can of soft dog or cat food, as appropriate.
• Turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medical syringe.
• Saline eye solution to flush out eye contaminants.
• Artificial tear gel to lubricate eyes after flushing.
• Mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid for the animal after skin contamination.
• Rubber gloves.
• Forceps to remove stingers.
• Muzzle.  An excited animal may harm you.
• Pet carrier.

Calling the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center  (888) 426-4435
A $45 consultation fee may apply.  When you call the center, be ready to provide:

• Your name, address and telephone number.
• Information concerning the exposure (the amount of agent, the time since exposure, etc.). For various reasons, it is important to know exactly what poison the animal was exposed to. Have the product container/packaging available for reference.
• The species, breed, age, sex, weight and number of animals involved.
• The symptoms your animal(s) is(are) experiencing.