Pet poisoning occurs most often when your curious pet eats or drinks something that is best left alone. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates that three to four pet poisonings occur every 15 minutes. Poisonings are 90 percent accidental. Knowing what to do can help save your animal.
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Symptoms
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Symptoms will depend on the amount of poison the animal has ingested and what type of poisonous substance he ate or drank. Vomiting and a loss of appetite due to nausea and stomach upset is common. Diarrhea is another unpleasant but likely symptom. Seizures often occur in a pet who has digested substances such as medications, insecticides, gasoline, drain cleaners, and alcohol. Blood in the stool and nosebleeds in pets usually point to digestion of rat and mouse poison. If your animal is not urinating, this is a common sign of antifreeze poisoning, which can lead to kidney failure. If you suspect your animal has been poisoned, treatment is a must; immediately seek emergency care.
Treatments
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When you suspect your animal has been poisoned, first try and locate the source. If at all possible, take a sample with you to the vet. If your animal has vomited, take a sample of this as well. Treatment will depend on the substance your animal has swallowed. If you witness the animal eating or drinking a poisonous substance, treatment can immediately begin by forcing the animal to vomit. Check with your veterinarian before inducing vomiting as some substances can be more harmful if you force the animal to vomit. If your pet has swallowed medications, vomiting is an effective treatment. Activated charcoal is a treatment to give your pet for substances such as paint thinner. If the poison is on your pet's skin, wash it off and make sure to rinse several times. You and your veterinarian can decide on the telephone if your pet will need further treatment at the animal hospital. Treatment provided by your vet could be IV fluids as well as flushing out the toxins from the stomach. One out of every 100 pets will die from being poisoned even with adequate treatment.
Prepare
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Being prepared ahead of time can help you best treat your poisoned pet. Staying calm to keep your pet calm is a must. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center phone number is (888) 426-4435. Keep this number handy along with your veterinarian's phone number.
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