Addressing Poisoning applies equally to dogs and cats.

Symptoms include:

• Bleeding Externally or Internally
• Dilated Pupils
• Drooling or Foaming at the mouth
• Seizures, or other Abnormal Mental State or Behavior, including
• Hyperexcitability
• Trembling
• Depression
• Drowsiness or Coma
• Shock
• Collapse
• Swollen parts of the body or face
• Red Eyes or Skin
• Ulcers in the Mouth or Burned Lips, Mouth or Skin
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

A poison can be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed topically.

What to do if you think your dog/cat has a poison emergency:

1 – The first step is to contact your veterinarian or veterinary emergency hospital as soon as possible.
Take your dog/cat to the veterinary hospital as soon as possible if your dog/cat is exhibiting signs of poisoning.

Be prepared to tell the vet what has been taken, when, how much, and your dog/cat’s vital signs and weight.

2 – If you cannot reach your veterinary clinic, call the 24/7 ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Line at +1-888-426-4435.

3 – If your dog/cat inhales poison, take it to fresh air immediately.

4 – If the poison is topical, ask the veterinarian if it can be removed by washing the poison off the skin. There are some poisons that are activated by water.

5 – If the poison has been ingested, ask the vet if vomiting should be induced.

Sometimes it may be wrong to induce vomiting, especially if your dog/cat already shows clinical signs of poisoning.

Never induce vomiting if the dog/cat ingested bleach or if the dog/cat has a condition of aspiration pneumonia (aspirate the vomit into the lungs).

If you must induce vomit, use hydrogen peroxide 3%. Use 2 teaspoons per 25 pounds (11kg).

Inducing Vomit:
1 – Put the peroxide into a turkey baster or a syringe.
2 – Make sure the dog/cat’s head is above the body, gently lift the side of the lip, insert the syringe into the mouth gently, and slowly release the peroxide.

You will notice that some of the Peroxide will leak out of the mouth. That is OK.
You will also notice foaming of the mouth. That is OK as well. The foam is the peroxide doing its work.

We recommend always checking with your vet before inducing vomit.