EMERGENCY CALL
Aspca Animal Poison
Control Center Hotline
As the premier animal poison control center in
North America, the APCC is your best resource for any
animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365
days a year. If you think that your pet may have
ingested a potentially poisonous substance, make the
call that can make all the difference:
(888) 426-4435.
A $55 consultation fee may be applied to
your credit card.
National Animal Poison Control Center:
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What to do if an animal is
poisoned
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What should be done if an
animal has been poisoned?
Immediately call YOUR VET and/or the NAPCC.
Be ready to provide:
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Your name, address, and phone number.
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2.
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Information concerning the exposure (the amount of
agent, the time since exposure, etc.).
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3.
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The species, breed, age sex, weight, and number of
animals involved.
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4.
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The agent your animals have been exposed to, if
known.
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5.
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The problems your animals are experiencing.
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If you are unable to access the 900 number, call your
telephone company for assistance or use the 888 number. When
the 888 number is used, your credit card number will be
required in addition to the above information.
CALL YOUR VET! If necessary call the ASPCA National Animal
Poison Control Center.
Telephone numbers/fees
900-680-0000
$45.00 per case. The Center will do as many follow-up calls
as necessary in critical cases, and at the owner's request
will contact their veterinarian. These follow-up calls can be
made by calling 1-800-548-2423.
1-888-426-4435 (888-4ANI-HELP)
$45.00 per case (VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American
Express). The Center will do as many follow-up calls as
necessary in critical cases, and at the owner's request will
contact their veterinarian. The Center also provides via
fax specific treatment protocols and current literature
citations when indicated.
NAPCC is a Non-profit organization. Our non-profit animal
poison control center receives no state, federal, or hospital
funds. In order for our veterinary staff to be available 24
hours a day to offer life saving advice, a fee must be
charged. A consultation fee is paid by the animal owner,
veterinarian or product manufacturer. Consultation fees
are generally less than those charged by other veterinary
specialists.
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NOTE:
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APSS Products
When the call involves a product covered by the A
nimal P roduct
S afety S
ervice, the product manufacturer will absorb
the cost of the call; thus there is no cost to the
caller. Most APSS
clients route animal calls directly to the
Center. Feel free to call and inquire if a product is covered
by an APSS client.
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Be prepared
Your animal may become poisoned in spite of your best
efforts to prevent it. Because of this, you should be prepared.
Your animal companions regularly should be seen by a local
veterinarian to maintain overall health. You should know
the veterinarian's procedures for emergency situations,
especially ones that occur after usual business hours.
You should keep the
telephone numbers for the veterinarian, ASPCA/NAPCC, and a
local emergency
veterinary service in a convenient location.
You may benefit by keeping a pet safety kit
on hand for emergencies. Such a kit should contain:
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A fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide 3% (USP).
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Can of soft dog or cat food, as appropriate.
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Turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine
syringe.
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Benadryl Allergy in liquid form (antihistamine) for
allergic reactions..
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Saline eye solution to flush out eye contaminants.
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Artificial tear gel to lubricate eyes after
flushing.
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Mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid in order to
bathe an animal after skin contamination.
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Rubber gloves to prevent you from being exposed
while you bathe the animal.
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Forceps to remove stingers.
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Muzzle to keep the animal from hurting you while it
is excited or in pain.
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Pet carrier to help carry the animal to your local
veterinarian.
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You should not attempt any therapy on your pet without
contacting either the Center or your local veterinarian. Before
you call the Center:
If you suspect that your pet has been exposed to a poison,
it is important not to panic. While rapid response is important,
panicing generally interferes with the process of helping your
animal.
Take 30 to 60 seconds to safely collect and have at hand
the material involved. This may be of great benefit to the
Center professionals as they determine exactly what poison or
poisons are involved. In the event that you need to
take your animal to your local veterinarian, be sure to take
with you any product container. Also bring any material
your pet may have vomited or chewed, collected in a zip-lock
bag.
If your animal is seizuring, losing consciousness,
unconscious or having difficulty breathing, you should contact
your veterinarian immediately. Most veterinarians are
familiar with the consulting services of the Center. Depending
on your particular situation, your local veterinarian may want
to contact the Center personally while you bring your
pet to the animal hospital.
Prevention of Small-Animal
Poisonings - Dogs in
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General Information
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Indoor Hazards
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Medications
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Plants
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Insecticides
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Mouse and Rat Poison
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Household Chemicals
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Outdoor Hazards
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Plants
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Garden and Lawn Care
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Automotive Care
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Miscellaneous Chemicals
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General Information
Our pets are marvelous beings. We provide food, attention,
training, medical care and love. In exchange, they offer
companionship, protection, enjoyment and their own love for
us.
For all that they have to offer, though, they must rely on
us for protection from harm. We need to look at our homes
through the eyes of our pets, seeking out "toys" and
"entertainments" that may be harmful for them.
Use common sense. If you wouldn't put it in your face or
let your child put it in their's then DON'T let your pet eat
it!
Dogs and cats of all ages, and especially kittens and
puppies, explore with their mouths. Dogs like to mouth and chew
things. Cats may start to taste something and be unable to
spit it out because of their rough tongues. Both may
simply "dive in" when they see us doing something
new or unfamiliar. These behaviors often land them in trouble.
But we can do a lot to improve the odds.
Our homes can contain a wide variety of potentially harmful
compounds. The following is not a complete list, but indicates
some of the most common problems.
Medications
Because they are so much smaller than we are, our companion
animals need to be kept away from all medications.
Cats, in particular, have a body chemistry quite different
from ours in several important ways. Do not give any of your
medications to a pet. That includes over-the-counter
medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, cough or cold medicines
and decongestants. Do not give your dog's medicine to your cat
or ferret.
Be careful where you take your own medications. Make sure a
pill does not drop within reach of a playful paw or quick,
slurping tongue. Do not put your medications out on a table or
counter to take later. They may not be there when later
arrives.
Store medications for all family members and pets in high
cabinets, out of reach. With their curiosity and strong teeth,
dogs can crack open a pill bottle and swallow the entire
contents in a very short time. Even a medicine prescribed
for your pet can be dangerous in too large a dose.
Medications that come in tubes may also pose a large risk.
Most pets have sharp teeth and can chew into a tube within
seconds. Creams and ointments that may be quite safe when
applied to the skin can cause serious problems when
eaten.
Plants
Some house plants can be quite harmful if ingested by an
animal. Easter lilies, for instance, can cause kidney failure
and death in cats. Chewing on some plants may result in severe
irritation to the mouth and throat. Others, while not
quite so deadly, may cause a severe intestinal upset. You
should know the names of all your plants, and keep any
potentially toxic plants out of areas accessible to your
animal companions.
A few of the common
household plants that can be very toxic to pets.
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Anemone
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Foxglove
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Philodendron
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Buttercup
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Holly
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Poinsettia
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Christmas Rose
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Hyacinth
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Rhododendron
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Clematis
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Impatiens
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Russ
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Crocus
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Larkspur
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Snow Drop
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Daphne
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Lily of Valley
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Sweet Pea
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Delphinium
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Mistletoe
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Wisteria
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Dumb Cane
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Morning Glory
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Yew
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Flea Control Products and
Other Insecticides
For many pets, fleas are a problem that make life
miserable. When you treat a house to kill fleas or other
insects, read the product label and follow all
directions carefully. This is particularly important if a flea
control product is to be applied directly to the pet.
If you put out ant or roach baits, make sure they are in a
spot inaccessible to your pet.
Keep track of the baits and remove and dispose of them
properly when they are no longer needed. Record on a calendar
the date the bait was put out and the name of the bait used.
This will be needed if your dog eats an entire bait
container or if there was no label on the container and you
need to tell the Center veterinarian what your pet
ingested.
Mouse and Rat Poisons
If you put out mouse or rat baits, make sure they are in a
spot that your pet cannot reach. Keep track of the baits and
remove and dispose of them when they are no longer needed.
Record on a calendar the date the bait was put out and
the name of the bait used. This will be needed if your dog
eats an entire bait container or if there was no label
on the container and you need to tell the Center veterinarian
what your pet ingested.
Household Chemicals
Many household chemicals can be harmful if consumed by a
companion animal. Most cleansing materials can cause
stomach upset and vomiting if they are eaten. Dishwasher
detergent can produce burns in the mouth. When using
household chemicals, special care should be taken to make sure
your pets cannot get into them. This may mean keeping
your pet out of the room where you are using such materials.
Outdoor Plants
Outdoor plants can also be quite hazardous to your pets.
Many plants, such as oleander, azalea, rhododendrons and
Japanese yew, can affect the heart rhythm, possibly even
causing it to stop. Some plants can cause considerable
stomach upset with vomiting or diarrhea. Others can produce
mental disturbances or confusion.
Gardening and Lawn Care
Supplies
Please do not use garden or lawn care chemicals in the
presence of your pet. For your own and your animal's safety,
read and follow label directions carefully. Your pets should
be kept off of a lawn treated with an insecticide or a
weed killer at least until the lawn is completely dry. Your
pet must be kept out of an area where snail or slug bait
has been applied.
Automobile Care Supplies
Like indoor cleaners, car cleaning compounds can cause
stomach upset and vomiting. Some car cleaning agents are
stronger than those used indoors. Car cleaning products should
be kept away from your pet, who will be safer if he or
she is not allowed to "help" you clean your
automobile.
Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid can be harmful to
your pet. Your pet should not be allowed to drink water from
a car radiator. Safer antifreeze products are now available
and should be used. READ YOUR LABELS. ANTI-FREEZE WILL
KILL YOUR PET DEAD!
Miscellaneous Chemicals
While performing construction, remodeling or repair work,
keep pets out of the area until all equipment and materials
have been put away. Keep pets away from fresh paint, varnish,
or stains until these finishes have dried completely.
If a pet comes in contact with paint or other finishes, DO NOT
use paint thinners or paint removers to clean the
animal. Contact the Center or your local veterinarian for
removal instructions.
What is the National Animal Poison Control Center?
The National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC), a
non-profit service of the University of Illinois, is the first
animal-oriented poison center in the United States. Since
1978, it has provided advice to animal owners and conferred
with veterinarians about poisoning exposures. The NAPCC's
phones are answered by licensed veterinarians and
board-certified veterinary toxicologists.
What makes NAPCC different from other poison control
centers?
The NAPCC is staffed with veterinary health professionals
who are familiar with how different species respond to poisons
and treatment protocols. At their fingertips, they have a wide
range of information specific to animal poisoning. They
also have an extensive collection of individual cases over -
250,000 - involving pesticide, drug, plant, metal, and
other exposures in food producing and companion animals. This
specialized information lets the experienced NAPCC
staff make specific recommendations for your animals, rather
than generalized poison information provided by human
poison control center.
For additional flyers or more information about the
center's various services, please call or contact:
Videos
Pet Emergency First Aid Videos - Apogee Videos has
developed instructional videos on providing first aid to dogs
and cats experiencing medical emergencies. More information
about the videos and how to purchase them is available
at www.apogeevideo.com.
ASPCA / NAPCC publications
Household Plant Reference (Revised
July, 1998)
The ASPCA/NAPCC has a recently revised companion animal
oriented household and yard plant reference. This 67
page bound publication is indexed and includes sections for
toxic, potentially toxic, and non-toxic plants. It summarizes
information from many literature and research resources, as
well as the ASPCA/NAPCC case database. The Household
Plant Reference is available for only $15, which includes
postage and handling. To obtain a copy please send your
name and address along with a check for $15 to:
ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center
1717 South Philo Road, Suite #36
Urbana, IL 61802
Natural Poisons in Horses
The ASPCA/NAPCC has prepared a guide for horse owners for
the identification and understanding of the most common,
natural poisons affecting horses. This illustrated reference
addresses many common problems including those caused
by plants and molds, as well as lesser know poisons. The
Natural Poisons in Horses is available for only $22,
which includes postage and handling. To obtain a copy please
send your name and address along with a check for $22
to:
ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center
1717 South Philo Road, Suite #36
Urbana, IL 61802
Pet care information
ASPCA's Ani-Med™ Pet Care Information Line The ASPCA's
new Ani-Med™ 24 hour, 7 day per week pet care information
phone line is available to pet owners everywhere. It provides
pre-recorded information on over 100 important pet care
topics. The service has been developed by the APSCA veterinary
and animal behavior staff and addresses a variety of
pet care issues. More information about Ani-Med™ is
available at Ani-Med
™.
Brought to you by the StaffordMall
Some of the above material is
Copyright © 1997-1999, ASPCA National Animal Poison
Control Center
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