National Animal Poison Control Center offers expert advice 24/7
By Linda Eissmann, Best Friends NetworkIt’s 9 p.m. and your dog or cat just swallowed a potentially hazardous medication or substance. What do you do?
If you’re like me, you panic. You immediately think of racing off to find an after-hours veterinarian, spending hours at the vet hospital while they pump your pet’s stomach or run tests, and sitting nervously in the waiting room hoping he’ll be okay.
Best case scenario, you imagine going through all of this, only to find out it was nothing to worry about. And of course, while money is no object when it comes to the well-being of your four-legged family members, the cost of after-hours vet care is an issue all its own.
This happened to me with my dog, Jack. The solution I found was quick, easy, and reassuring and something I want to pass along if you find yourself in a similar situation.
Double Dose Dangerous?My two dogs, Jack and Jenny, get their heartworm preventative tablets each month, particularly now that the weather is getting warmer. I gave them their heartworm tablets right before bedtime and while Jack inhaled his, Jenny spit hers out on the floor when I turned my back. Jack swooped in. Before I knew it, the tablet was down the hatch. He had just ingested two heartworm pills.
I panicked and immediately called my vet’s office, only to get the answering machine directing me to the 24-hour emergency vet clinic 60 miles away in Reno. I called there, explained what happened, and was told the vet on duty didn’t think it was a problem but wasn’t completely sure.
An Expert, Ever-Ready ResourceWhile useful, this was not the definitive answer I wanted. He suggested I call the toll-free number on the medication package, but if they were closed (and they were), he suggested I call the National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC) hotline, operated by the ASPCA.
Despite having pets all of my life, I’d never heard of the NAPCC and certainly didn’t know there was a hotline to call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Having now used the hotline, I enthusiastically recommend it!
Before I get any further, here’s the number: 1-888-426-4435. The Center charges a consultation fee of $60, but it was worth every penny and saved me the frantic dash to the emergency vet clinic.
Note: The NAPCC cautions that if your animal is having seizures, losing consciousness, is unconscious, or is having difficulty breathing, you should telephone ahead and bring your pet immediately to your local veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic. If necessary, your vet may call the Center for assistance.
About the National Animal Poison Control CenterThe NAPCC is the nation’s foremost animal poison control center in North America. In cooperation with the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois, its staff of board-certified veterinary toxicologists and certified veterinary technicians is on duty around the clock to aid animals exposed to potentially hazardous substances.
In addition to an extensive collection of scientific journals and books at its fingertips, the NAPCC has a sophisticated database available nowhere else.
Back to JackAnd now, back to Jack’s ingestion of two heartworm tablets. When I called the NAPCC, the vet tech I spoke to was incredibly kind and informative. She asked for my phone number (in case we were disconnected) and asked a lot of questions about Jack (age, weight, existing conditions, symptoms, etc).
Her focus was on his well-being and getting answers to my questions. Only after that did she take my credit card number, which I appreciated. His health came first for both of us.
In the end, it was nothing to worry about and he was fine. She advised that he might have some stomach upset, but actually, even that never occurred. She also gave me a separate toll-free number and a case number, in the event I needed to call back. For subsequent calls regarding a specific case, there is no additional fee.
Needless to say, within a few minutes and thanks to making that call, my panic was assuaged and we all slept well that night (notwithstanding the basin I kept handy next to his bed… just in case). At $60, Jack’s health and my peace of mind were well worth it.
What You Can DoBecoming familiar with poison control tips on NAPCC’s
website may save valuable time in case of an emergency. Here’s a sampling:
* Don’t panic. Rapid response is important, but panicking can interfere with the process of helping your pet.
* Take 30 to 60 seconds to safely collect and have at hand any material involved. This may be of great benefit to your vet and/or the NAPCC’s toxicologists, as they determine what poison or poisons are involved. In the event that you need to take your pet to a local veterinarian, be sure to take the product’s container with you. Also, collect in a sealable plastic bag any material your pet may have vomited or chewed.
* If you witness your pet consuming material that you suspect might be toxic, do not hesitate to seek emergency assistance, even if you do not notice any adverse effects. Sometimes, even if poisoned, an animal may appear normal for several hours or for days after the incident.
If you call the NAPCC hotline at 1-888-426-4435, be ready with the following information:
* The species, breed, age, sex, weight, and number of animals involved.
* The animal’s symptoms.
* Information regarding the exposure, including the agent (if known), the amount of the agent involved, and the time elapsed since the time of exposure.
* Have the product container/packaging available for reference.
As previously noted, if your animal is having seizures, losing consciousness, is unconscious or is having difficulty breathing, call ahead and bring your pet immediately to your local veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic. If necessary, he or she may call the NAPCC.
To be prepared for a pet poison emergency:
* Keep emergency telephone numbers handy and in a prominent location, including numbers for your local veterinarian and the NAPCC.
* Invest in emergency first-aid kit for your pet.
* Always consult a veterinarian or the National Animal Poison Control Center for directions on how and when to use any emergency first-aid item.
Pet poisoning can certainly happen any time of year, but with summer approaching and yard, pool, and household chemicals coming out of hibernation, it’s good to make sure this information is handy.
Posted by Julie Snyder, Best Friends NetworkPhoto of a healthy Jack (foreground) and his sister Jenny, courtesy of Linda Eissmann