What to do should your precious pet get poisoned, some of the common things pets get into and how to prevent this from happening
What Should I Do?
If the animal is awake and alert:
- Do NOT induce vomiting
- If the product is corrosive or irritating, make water available
- Call a Vet or the NZ Animal Poisons Helpline on 0800 869 738 (11am-10pm)
If the animal is unconscious, having difficulty breathing, or having a seizure:
- Take the animal to the vet immediately
What Else Should I Do?
When you call or see a Vet, they may ask you a few questions about the poisoning.
Identify the poison
- Empty containers
- Chewed up material
- Smells
- Residue around the pets mouth
- Fragments in the pets vomit
How much has the pet ingested
- How much was in the container in the beginning?
- How much is missing?
Establish if the pet has any symptoms -Animals can not tell us where it hurts, you will need to look carefully
- Evidence of an upset stomach (vomit, not eating)
- Excessive drooling
- Weakness or excitement
- Breathing rate
- Body temperature
Pets needs supervision, just like young children. All the poisoning prevention tips for children, apply to pets too. Click here to read them.
What Are Pets Poisoned By?
Dogs
Dogs are the most common pet that is poisoned. They will often eat large amounts of a toxic substance, without noticing an unpleasant taste. Dogs are most often poisoned by:
- Rodenticides
- Cyanide
- Ant poison
- Chocolate
- 1080 (fluoroacetate)
- Plants
Cats
Cats are most often poisoned by getting a substance on their fur or paws from walking or lying on surfaces, and then grooming themselves, thereby ingesting the poison. They can also drink sweet-tasting poisons, or be unintentionally poisoned by their owners. They are most often poisoned by:
- Household cleaners, including corrosive products
- Ethylene glycol (antifreeze)
- Ant poison
- Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
- Plants
- The Lilium genus (certain types of lily)
Others
Stock, like sheep, cattle, deer and horses are most often poisoned by eating poisonous plants, which are either growing in the same paddock, or mixed in with their feed.