Your pet has been poisoned. First aid

Poisons are substances that, when introduced into the body, cause severe intoxication and can lead to the animal’s death. They can be ingested by the animal (solid or liquid substances), inhaled (gases), or absorbed through the skin (powders, liquids). Substances we use in everyday life are often toxic to animals. These can include food products, medications, as well as household chemicals and cosmetics.

Prevention is the best form of management:

• Store toxic substances out of the reach of animals;
• Keep your pets away from areas where pest control is being conducted;
• Always monitor where your pet is walking and what it is eating both outdoors and at home.

Symptoms and signs of poisoning

Each poison or toxin causes different symptoms when it enters the body. The following signs may appear in an animal:

• Lethargy, drowsiness;
• Vomiting, discharge from the anus and/or bladder (smooth muscle weakness);
• Excessive salivation and drooling;
• Reduced respiratory activity (shortness of breath, difficulty breathing);
• Muscle tremors leading to convulsions;
• Behavioral changes—disorientation, inappropriate reactions to sound or light, hyperactivity;
• Ataxia (unsteady gait, imbalance, lack of coordination);
• Changes in the color of mucous membranes (bluish, pale pink, or very red);
• A specific odor from the mouth and/or skin, as well as when exhaling;
• Burns on the mucous membranes of the lips, tongue.

Cats are less prone to poisoning than dogs, except for cases involving inhalation of toxins or ingestion of poisonous plants.

What to do in case of poisoning:

• Be cautious, isolate the animal from the source of contamination without exposing yourself to the poison;
• Gather the following information:
  • The exact name of the plant or poison;
  • How many animals have been poisoned;
  • When the exposure or ingestion occurred;
  • The animal’s weight.
• Monitor vital signs (temperature, breathing, heartbeat, color of external mucous membranes);
• Immediately consult a veterinarian or, if that’s not possible, seek advice from a specialist by phone.

The main goal is to prevent further absorption of the poison!

Contact poisons: Wash the animal with plenty of running water. You can use liquid soap or a mild shampoo (for instance, if symptoms of poisoning appear after treatment for fleas and ticks or the use of a flea collar). If the toxic agent gets into the eyes, rinse them thoroughly with water. If the poison is in powder form, carefully remove it (using a damp towel) or “blow” it off. Wear gloves to protect yourself.

Inhaled poisons: Quickly provide the animal with fresh air—take it outside or onto a balcony.

Ingested poisons: The most effective method for removing toxins from the body in this case is inducing vomiting, but only after consulting a veterinarian.

Do not induce vomiting in the following cases:

• The animal has difficulty breathing;
• Heart activity is reduced (heartbeat is weak);
• The animal is unconscious;
• The toxin is caustic (lye, caustic soda), contains acid (battery), or is a petroleum product;
• The ingested object is sharp or jagged.

How to induce vomiting: Use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution at a dose of 1 teaspoon (3-5 ml) per 5 kg of weight every 20 minutes, up to three times. If hydrogen peroxide is unavailable, prepare a weak salt solution and give it in large quantities until vomiting occurs. Do not hold the pet’s head upward to avoid liquid aspiration into the airways.

The vomit should be collected, preserved, and shown to the veterinarian.

If acidic substances or petroleum products such as gasoline, turpentine, toilet cleaner, or oil-based paints are ingested:

• Do not induce vomiting;
• Rinse the poison from the animal’s muzzle (beard, lips, mouth) with water;
• Within 10 minutes after ingestion, give the animal milk or water to drink.

If basic substances, anti-corrosive sprays, or dishwasher powder are ingested:

• Do not induce vomiting;
• Rinse the poison from the muzzle with water;
• Within 10 minutes after ingestion, give the animal diluted vinegar, milk, or egg white to drink.

Plants that can poison animals:

• Aloe Vera
• Apple seeds
• Crocus
• Carnation
• Lilies (especially dangerous for cats)
• Geranium
• Mistletoe
• Nightshades
• Foxglove
• Tulip
• Avocado
• Ivy
• Azalea
• Dracaena
• Hyacinth
• Hibiscus
• Marijuana
• Lily of the Valley
• Daffodil
• Sago palm
• Cacao beans (dark chocolate)

Final advice:

• Always assume a substance is harmful unless you know otherwise;
• Be extremely careful with antifreeze! A teaspoon is enough to kill a cat;
• In any of these cases, it is strongly recommended to consult a veterinarian immediately!