How Your Veterinarian Can Help if Your Pet Swallows Something Toxic

Few moments in life are more terrifying than the realization that your pet has eaten something dangerous or poisonous. From household cleaners to chocolate and toxic plants, pets can be exposed to a range of substances that may cause sickness or death. Fortunately, your veterinarian offers several treatments that can improve the odds of a successful outcome for your furry friend.

Evaluating Your Pet

Before treatment begins, your veterinarian must assess your pet’s condition and determine which substance or substances it may have swallowed. Common toxic substances include insecticides, household products, antifreeze, medication, vitamins, supplements, plants, recreational drugs, and human foods, like chocolate, grapes, onions, and uncooked bread dough.

When you arrive at the veterinary office, your veterinarian will want to know:

What substance did your pet ingest?
How long ago did your pet swallow the substance?
How much of the substance do you think your pet may have ingested?
Have you noticed any symptoms? When did symptoms first appear?
What is the strength of the toxin (if your pet swallowed medication)?
How old is your pet?
Does your pet have any health problems?
Does your pet take any medication regularly?

Your pet’s veterinarian will develop a treatment plan based on the exam and information you provide. If your pet has ingested a packaged substance, like a household cleaner or over-the-counter medication, bring the package with you.

Don’t wait to see if your pet develops symptoms before calling or visiting the veterinarian. Symptoms may not happen for hours or days, yet significant damage can occur in that time.

Induced Vomiting

Your veterinarian may give your pet a medication that stimulates the vomiting reflex in some cases. Induced vomiting is most effective soon after your pet has ingested the substance. Don’t induce vomiting at home unless you’ve checked with your veterinarian or a pet poison control service first. (Poison control services include the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline and the Pet Poison Helpline.)

Vomiting isn’t a good idea if your pet has swallowed a caustic substance, like a cleaner. These substances could burn or damage sensitive tissues in your pet’s mouth and digestive tract if it vomits.

The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that vomiting shouldn’t be induced if it has been more than a few hours since your pet swallowed the substance, your pet is convulsing, or if there is no swallowing reflex. Induced vomiting isn’t recommended for pets at risk for developing pneumonia if vomit is accidentally inhaled into the lungs.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal, given to your pet by mouth, reduces the amount of the toxin that reaches the bloodstream. Toxins bind to activated charcoal in the gastrointestinal tract and are safely removed by the digestive system. Your pet may need several doses of activated charcoal provided over a few hours.

Stomach Pumping

Gastric lavage, commonly called stomach pumping, may be needed if your pet swallowed a large amount of a toxin. The treatment involves flushing the stomach with liquid while your pet is under anesthesia. Stomach pumping is used soon after a pet has swallowed a toxic substance.

Antidotes

Antidotes that counteract the effects of toxins could improve your pet’s condition and outcome. For example, vitamin K1 is an antidote for rat and mouse poison. Unfortunately, not every toxin has an antidote.

Advanced Treatments

Blood transfusions, plasma therapy, and other treatments can be helpful in severe cases. Dialysis may be needed if a toxin has affected the kidneys’ ability to remove waste products and extra fluids from the blood. The treatment removes toxins from the blood, giving the kidneys a chance to rest and heal.

Other Treatments

Your pet may be given intravenous (IV) fluids to flush toxins, improve hydration and electrolyte balance, and support the organs. Anti-nausea drugs may be prescribed to control vomiting, while anti-seizure medication can be helpful if your pet is having seizures.

In some cases, your pet may need to remain at the animal hospital for a few days. During your pet’s stay, the staff will monitor vital signs, organ function and neurological status. The amount of time your pet must stay at the hospital depends on the severity of its condition and the type of toxin ingested.

Are you concerned your pet may have swallowed a toxic substance? Contact our office immediately or go to the nearest emergency clinic if the incident occurs after normal business hours.

Sources:

Merck Veterinary Manual: General Treatment of Poisoning, 9/2024

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/special-pet-topics/poisoning/general-treatment-of-poisoning

Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center: First Aid for Poisonous Substances, 3/24

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-topics/first-aid-poisonous-substances

UC Davis Veterinary Medicine: Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs, 11/2/2020

https://healthtopics.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/chocolate-poisoning-dogs

ASPCA: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets

Today’s Veterinary Nurse: Guide to Managing Toxin Ingestion in Pet Patients, 2/28/2019

https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/bread-ingestion-pets

ASPCA: ASPCA Poison Control