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Vinnie the Vet’s First Aid Tips: Poisoning

November 3rd, 2005 by Jim in Pet Travel, Pet Health, Dog First Aid

Poisoning is very common among dogs–not so much so for cats, probably because they are likely to be more choosy about what they eat. Poisoning can occur from hundreds of poisonous materials used around the home; things like pesticides, weed killers, lawn sprays, antifreeze, rat poison, chocolate, nicotine, alcohol, acids, fertilizers, etc. Traveling with pets the risk increases as you and your animal may be staying in unfamiliar places, and dogs like to explore and check out every nook and cranny. Once while staying at a relative’s home, I left my luggage open on the bed. It didn’t take long for their curious pug to find my wife’s birth control pills and devour a mega dose. Needless to say, part of that trip was spent pumping the pug’s stomach. While that particular pug was caught in the act, you may not see what your animal has poisoned himself with, so below are the symptoms and signs of poisoning, as well as the actions to take.

Signs of Swallowed Poison:

  • Unresponsive or drowsiness
  • Not breathing
  • Seizures
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain and cramping
  • Burns, odor, stains around and in mouth
  • Poison containers

    • Action to take:
    1. Try to determine:
    • what the poison was
    • when was it swallowed
    • how much was swallowed
    • what signs/symptoms your pet is showing
    2. If a caustic or corrosive substance was swallowed, give water or milk immediately
    3. For responsive pet, call vet; if vet cannot be reached, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-800-548-2423 or 1-900-680-0000. A fee is charged; payable by credit card is required.
    4. For unresponsive pet, check ABCs and treat accordingly.
    5. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. If told to induce vomiting: give household (3%) hydrogen peroxide orally, 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight. This can be repeated every 15 to 20 minutes up to three times. Do not give ipecac syrup unless vet advises, then give 2 to 3 teaspoons once.
    6. If advised, give activated charcoal
    7. Save poison containers, plants, and vomit to help vet identify poison.
    8. See vet ASAP

    Signs of inhaled (breathed) Poison:

  • Pet has been exposed to smoke, toxic fumes, or carbon monoxide
  • Unresponsive or lethargic
  • Seizures

    • Action to take:
    1. Remove pet from the area to fresh air immediately.
    2. Check ABCs and give CPR if necessary
    3. Monitor closely
    4. See vet ASAP
    5. For irritating fumes and if time allows, flush pet’s eyes with lots of fresh water

    Signs of Poison absorbed through skin:

    Paint, tar or motor oil from fur or skin.

    Action to take:
    1. Wear rubber gloves, rub large amounts of mineral oil or vegetable oil into areas to loosen the substance.
    2. After being loosened, bathe pet in warm water with lots of warm, soapy water.
    3. Rinse well, repeat if necessary until all contamination is removed.
    4. In severe cases, dust pet with cornmeal, cornstarch or flour after having rubbed in the mineral oil. Remove by combing or brushing pet and then bathe in warm, soapy water.

    Substances other than paint, tar, and motor oil:
    Action to take:
    1. Flush area for 10 minutes with large amounts of water.
    2. Wear rubber gloves and wash pet with mild soap and water.

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    Vinnie the Vet’s Dog First Aid Kit

    October 18th, 2005 by Jim in Pet Health, Dog First Aid

    Pet friendly people will always consider bringing along a few items for the animal traveling companion, but how many times have you thought to put together a first aid kit in case of an emergency situation? Here is Vinnie the Vet’s sample first aid kit for dogs. In coming articles, we’ll explain what these items are used for and the ways they might be used in an emergency. But for now, just be sure to pack these specifics for your pooch.

    1. 1″ and 2′’ adhesive tape
    2. 2″ roll gauze (for muzzling)
    3. newspaper
    4. rectal thermometer
    5. chlorhexidine or povidone iodine (antiseptic)
    6. Elizabethan collar
    7. eye wash (saline in a squirt bottle)
    8. isopropyl alcohol
    9. 3% hydrogen peroxide (or syrup of ipecac)
    10. rope
    11. 2′’ and 4′’ gauze
    12. 3′’ x 3′’ or 4′’ x 4′’ gauze pads
    13. scissors
    14. cotton balls and pledgets
    15. blanket with heat pack
    16. flat transport surface
    17. plastic food wrap (e.g., Saran Wrap)
    18. petroleum or K-Y Jelly
    19. ice pack
    20. activated charcoal
    21. tweezers
    22. bulb syringe

    Most potential emergencies you could encounter with your pet while on the open road can be assuaged by an item or two from this dog first aid pack. So, don’t forget to load this in the car along with Fido.

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