The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Hotline handles calls from owners and veterinarians across the country and is staffed around the clock by veterinary toxicologists.
There is a consult fee, payable by credit card. This includes follow-up consultation (they provide a special number) with you or your vet throughout the case. Have the following information ready when you call:
Important: If your pet is having seizures, losing consciousness, is unconscious or is having trouble breathing, call ahead to your vet or emergency clinic and take him there immediately. Take product packaging, a sample of the material ingested and anything your pet may have vomited or chewed with you.
(There are other groups for non-emergency ID help on their web page.)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/144798092849300
Web Page: https://beacons.ai/poisonshelp?fbclid=IwAR270HxH-KSP-j0iWD9tIjABwOe4-Qt7sxdZoKT4MlNl2RXnFfR0bKAoQbM
This is a volunteer group of international experts who will be called in quickly - value their time and get help quickly by knowing and following the full posting requirements:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAFpKbWmPHs/H_S2heU7dEMuwXPEWiJajA/view?website#4:photo-requirements
Don’t throw anything away, including vomitus - they may ask for different views. Stay with the post to answer questions, but don’t delay calling or getting to your veterinarian or ER. This group identifies and does not give medical treatment - it is a resource.
Consult your vet or poison control on how and when to use first aid. Some poisons, including acids, alkalis and petroleum-based products can cause more damage coming up (examples are burning and inhalation pneumonia) and need to be treated without inducing vomiting. Some poisons must be treated quickly or the chances of a pet’s survival are greatly reduced, even if the pet is acting normally.
: Keep emergency numbers at the ready: your vet, emergency vet and the poison control hotline. Keep directions to your vet and emergency vet in an accessible place, and remember to leave information for pet sitters. Maintain and update an emergency kit (see below.) More information at
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
Some of these foods can cause life-threatening or fatal conditions.
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/people-foods.html
Alcohol
Avocado (skin, pits, leaves, bark, fruit)
Chocolate
Caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks, diet pills, some medications)
Macadamia Nuts
Onions & Onion Family
Raisins and Grapes
Salt
Yeast Dough
Xylitol (a very common sweetener, deadly to pets, and found in sugarless gum & candies, toothpaste, and even in some Rescue Remedy pastille tablets)
For a more complete list, see:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/a-poison-safe-home.html
Antifreeze / Coolant
Batteries (acids, heavy metals)
Cocoa mulch
De-icing Salts (look for pet-friendly ones)
Household products containing bleach, ammonia, lye (sodium hydroxide)
Fertilizers
Insecticides, Herbicides, Pesticides
Mothballs, Fly strips, Slug bait
Organophosphates (found in flea, tick, lawn products)
Paint and paintballs
Pennies (zinc in post 1982 pennies)
Petroleum-based products (gas, lighter fluid, etc.)
Prescription and over the counter medications
Rodent bait
Tobacco products
Not complete by any means - do your research!
For a complete list, see the searchable database at:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/
Amaryllis
Autumn Crocus
Azalea
Castor Bean
Cyclamen
Foxglove
Giant Hogweed
Laburnum (Golden Chain Tree)
Lantana
Lilies
Oleander
Peach, Plum, Cherry, Apricot (seeds, leaves, stems)
Poison Hemlock
Rhododendron
Sago Palm
Tulip / Narcissus bulbs
Yew
There are many kinds of poisonous mushrooms, some deadly. A number of poisonous mushrooms resemble harmless ones. Symptoms may appear quickly or hours after ingestion. See your vet or emergency clinic as soon as possible if you think your dog has eaten wild mushrooms. Identification is important - save all samples (even vomited ones).
See the web page and FaceBook group for emergency identification listed at the top of this article. There are many resources on the web page - it is worth checking out before there is an emergency!
https://beacons.ai/poisonshelp?fbclid=IwAR270HxH-KSP-j0iWD9tIjABwOe4-Qt7sxdZoKT4MlNl2RXnFfR0bKAoQbM
Dogs can be poisoned by raw salmon, trout and steelhead if the fish is carrying a parasitic fluke which is infected with the rickettsial organism,
Neorickettsia helminthoceca
. See
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/salmon-poisoning
This disease is most common in the Pacific Northwest and California. Symptoms usually begin 5-6 days after a dog eats infected fish. Up to 90% of affected dogs will die without treatment. See your vet as soon as possible if you think your dog has eaten raw salmon.
The following common items (and plenty of other things a dog can chew and swallow) can cause life-threatening problems such as bloating, pancreatitis, intestinal obstruction, and or perforation. Some of the biggest medical emergencies happen on the 4th of July and Thanksgiving. Call your vet or emergency vet promptly if your pet has consumed these things.
Coins
Ribbons & tinsel
Corn cobs
Rubber bands, balloons
Fatty foods (acute pancreatitis)
Sharp bones, bones that splinter
Glass
String, yarn, dental floss
Nylons, socks
Twist ties
Paperclips, pins, needles, hairpins
Wax
Rare earth magnets
An extensive list from the Red Cross:
https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDF_s/Preparedness___Disaster_Recovery/Disaster_Preparedness/Home_Fire/First_Aid_Kit_for_Pets.pdf
*Important - do not induce vomiting unless advised by a medical professional!
Copyright © 2024 Line Farr, CNWI
Dogs are our best traveling companions. Generally speaking, they love it and we love to have them with us. However, in the event of an emergency while on an outing, near or far away, it is important to be prepared.
For emergency situations you should:
Know what is normal for your Bull Terrier’s behavior and condition.
Be aware of any changes to its health.
Keep your veterinarian’s phone number and emergency phone numbers in an area for easy access.
Assemble your first aid kit and be familiar with its contents.
Learn basic facts about conditions that might affect your dog.
Learn canine life-saving techniques.
Don’t use home remedies without first contacting your veterinarian.
Keep calm.
Plan ahead and make sure you have a first-aid kit, leash, treats, water bowl and water packed before you set out with your pup, whether it be a trip across town or on vacation.
Get your copy of AKC’s Pet First Aid Handbook.PDF by clicking on “canine first-aid manual” within the introduction of their Dog First-Aid Kit Essentials article at
Cetirizine tablets, (“Zytrec”), 5mg,
NOT liquid or liquigels*
Loperamide Anti-Diarrhea (Immodium) NOT liquid or liquigels*
Triple Antibiotic ointment
Hydrogen Peroxide
Alcohol Prep Pads
Canned or powdered Pumpkin
Iodine prep pads
Probiotic Paste or Powder
Burn gel
Antiseptic wipes
Lubricating Jelly
Wet Wipes
Eye wash
Paper Towels
Saline Solution
Light weight towels
Chlorhexidine Gluconate 2% solution
* Avoid Xylitol (artificial sweetener) in any liquid medication as it is toxic to dogs.
Stainless Bandage Scissors
Nail Trimmer
Stainless Tweezer
Splinter/Tick Remover
Hemostat Forceps
Irrigation or Oral Syringes (Various ml)
Safety Pins
Instant Cold Pack
Digital Thermometer
Tourniquet
Styptic (Bleed Stop) Powder
Thermal Emergency Blanket
Flash Light
Nylon Slip Leash
Nitrile Gloves
Disposable Skin Stapler, Staples
Staple Remover
Leather Gloves
Muzzle
Vetwrap, 3 inch Roll
1” Roll White Medical Tape
Vetwrap 2 inch Roll
Tongue Depressors
Sterile Gauze Pads
Cotton Tipped Applicators
Gauze Rolls
Cotton Ball or Pads
The first step in animal CPR (like human CPR), after determining that the animal is non-responsive, is to obtain an open airway. You should not continue past A- Airway, until this step has been achieved!
1. Carefully pull the tongue straight out of the animal's mouth to open the airway
WARNING: even an unresponsive dog may bite by instinct!!
2. Make sure that the neck is reasonably straight; try to bring the head in-line with the neck.
WARNING: Do not over-straighten the neck in cases where neck/head trauma exists
3. Attempt 2 rescue breaths, by closing the mouth, and performing mouth-to-nose ventilations. If they go in with no problems continue to R.Rreathino.
4. If not, reposition the neck and try step 3 again.
5. Visibly inspect the airway by looking into the mouth, and down the throat for foreign objects occluding the airway. Unlike human-CPR, rescuers may reach into the airway and remove foreign objects that are visible
6. If you still can't breath into the animal, proceed to the Heimlich maneuver
If you were unable to clear an object from the airway in A-Airway, you will need to do the Heimlich Maneuver:
1. Turn the animal upside down, with its back against your chest
2. Hug the animal with your fist in your hand, just below the rib-cage (for cats, just squeeze 1 hand in the same place)
3. With both arms, give 5 sharp thrusts (bear hugs) to the abdomen. Perform each thrust as if it is the one that will expel the object
4. Stop, check to see if the object is visible in the airway, if so, remove it and give 2 mouth-nose rescue breaths. If the breaths do not go in, go back to step 1
IMPORTANT: Do not proceed with CPR, even if the animal goes into cardiac arrest. You must clear the airway first.
After achieving a patent airway, one must determine whether the animal is breathing, and whether this breathing is effective:
3. Breathe at 12 breaths per minute (1 every 5 seconds)
With each breath just make the chest rise (do not overinflate, especially on a small animal)
IMPORTANT: If the breaths do not go in, stop and return to A-Airway!
4. Proceed to C-Circulation, while continuing breathing support as necessary
Stay tuned...
If there is no breathing and no pulse, begin CPR immediately.
1. Check for breathing & pulse Check for pulse using middle and index finger below wrist, inner thigh, below the ankle or where left elbow touches the chest.
2. Look for other warning signs • Gums and lips will appear gray • Pupils will be dilated
3. If no pulse, start compression Lay animal on right side and place hands over ribs where its elbow touches the chest. Begin compressions. Do not give compressions if dog has a pulse.
4. If not breathing, give mouth-to-mouth Cats & small dogs: place your mouth over nose and mouth, blow air in. Medium-large dogs: place you mouth over nose, blow air in.
Repeat Procedure • Check pulse after 1 minute and then every few minutes • Continue giving CPR until animal has a pulse or is breathing • Stop CPR after 20 minutes
Compress Chest
Compressions Per breath
