Do You Suspect That Your Pet Has Been Poisoned? 3 Tips To Help Them Receive The Right Animal Care Hospital Services
by Sandra Butler
Pet poisonings can be one of the most frightening experiences that you deal with as a dog or cat owner. Unfortunately, there are many known poisons to pets, and quite a few of them are normal household materials. You might not think that an unopened candy bar or bouquet of tulips sitting on the counter could hurt your pet, but they very easily could make them sick. Knowing what to do immediately helps you get your pet the care that they need when you reach out for animal care hospital services.
Assess Their Symptoms
Animal poisonings can exhibit a range of symptoms that can sometimes help you figure out what happened. For instance, a pet that is exhibiting shortness of breath might be responding to airborne toxins that were recently used in their environment, such as bug spray or paint. Contact with chemicals on the surface of your pet's body might cause them to lick or paw at their skin excessively. You might also see red burns or hives beneath their fur.
An animal that has ingested a toxin may show gastrointestinal symptoms that include vomiting, gagging, and diarrhea. Your pet may also be lethargic or highly energetic depending upon what they consumed. The veterinarian that you speak to at the animal hospital will use these symptoms to identify the best course of treatment.
Look for the Suspected Poison Source
In some cases, you might find evidence of what happened. Give the area that your pet is in a quick scan to determine if there are any open or spilled containers that could contain materials that made them sick. In the event that your pet ingested a medicine or food that could be toxic, bring a sample with you to the vet.
Give the Animal Hospital a Detailed Report
Once you have assessed the situation, you should then call or take your animal straight to the pet hospital. If you call, be prepared to give them details such as what you suspect the poisoning to be from along with your pet's breed and weight. In some cases, they may suggest that you take steps to reduce the harm that is done. For instance, they may have you wipe chemicals off the surface of your pet's fur to reduce the chance of them licking it or receiving further skin damage on their way to the hospital. Once first aid is administered, your pet will still need animal hospital services to check for any other damage that has occurred and to further treat them if they still have toxins in their system.
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Nothing is quite like the bond you develop with a pet. You and your dog know each other to the core. You and your cat have your own way of communicating, even though you do not speak their language. These pets are, in a very real sense, your friends — but they are friends you have the responsibility of caring for completely. Determining what the best care for your pet really is can be a challenge. That's why we created this blog. The articles collected here will help you become a better owner and a better friend to your furry companion, whether they're a cat, dog, rabbit, or other species entirely.