Emergency actions to take when your pet is poisoned

Our pets can become like family, it is tragic when our beloved animals get poison in their system in whichever way.

We’ve seen what you can do to prevent this from happening, but what do you do when it has already happened?

The Addie went to chat with Doctor Christo van Niekerk at the Springs Veterinary Clinic to find out what the symptoms are and how to treat them.

If you come across any of the following symptoms, acquire medical help.

Here are some signs and symptoms if your pet has ingested poison.

The following symptoms may appear, listed in no particular order:

• Profuse twitching of the skin
• Disorientation
• Vomiting, which may include blood
• Confusion
• Excessive salivation, front legs will be wet
• Coughing up slime
• Excessively runny nose
• Hyperventilation
• Restlessness
• Weakness
• Sluggishness
• Difficulty breathing
• Convulsions
• Seizures
• Posture abnormalities, if the body contorted into abnormal positions
• Diarrhoea: may be mucous, black or “tarry”
• Abnormal pupils, either pinpoint or dilated
• Tremors and muscle twitching
• Temporary or partial paralysis, partial loss of movement
• Unconsciousness

Depending of the amount ingested, it can be a matter of minutes to a couple of hours before the worst happens.
Follow these steps to ensure the safety of your pet:

• Immediately remove your pet from the area.
• Check to make sure your pet is breathing normally and acting fine otherwise.
• Look to see if your pet can swallow
• If your pet is indeed able to swallow, make a strong saline solution and carefully and slowly spurt into the mouth. This will cause the animal to vomit and bring out the toxins.
• If your pet is unable to swallow because of the poison attacking their nervous system, do not give your pet any fluids or food as this can be very harmful and might lead to damage or death.
• Get help immediately from your local veterinary, even if your pet vomited, the nerves could still be affected.

Some poisons are extremely fast acting, even if your pet only ingested a small amount.
If it is after hours and your local vet is not available, phone the New South Vet in Alberton on 011 682 3213 or Kempton Park Veterinary on 083 279 8146.
They are a 24 hour clinic and would be able to help you.
Also keep your local vet’s phone number handy, they may just help you.