Eating or inhaling household chemicals, eating house or landscape plants, exposing the skin to a toxin, being bitten by a snake or spider or being stung by an insect are all common causes of poisioning in animals.
Recognize signs of poisoning - vomitting, diarrhea, drooling, shaking and seizures can be signs of poisoning.
Identify the poison - if possible, obtain a sample of the poison and the box or container. Immediately call your veterinarian, emergency clinic or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - ASPCA
ASPCA POISON CONTROL NUMBER: 888-426-4435
Also have the following information ready:
Your name, address and phone number
Details about the poison
The product contaier if available
The species, breed, age, sex and weight of your pet
List of symptoms
Follow the advice of your veterinarian or poison control professional. They may instruct you to induce vomiting for certain ingested poisons, bathe your pet with mild dishwashing liquid for topical exposure or perhaps administer an appropriate dose of an antihistamine.
Wear gloves to protect your skin from the toxins.
Vomit and stool samples can provide your veterinarian with valuable clues to the best treatment for your pet, so collect samples.
COMMON TOXIC FOOD PRODUCTS
Alcohol
Caffeine
Chocolate
Grapes
Homemade play dough
Onions
Raisins
Tea
DANGEROUS HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS
Antifreeze
Batteries
Herbicides
Insecticides
Iron
Lead
Mothballs
Pesticides
Rat poison
Snail bait
Zinc
