This week alone we have fielded several emergency calls for pet ingestion of undesirable substances: chocolate, garlic, decorations and Tylenol. Unfortunately not all veterinary clinics are open 24 hours a day to answer questions or to assist with home triage. In the North Dallas Metroplex we are fortunate to have several round the clock, referral level practices available to our clients; however, what happens when traveling with your pet, or you want to do your own independent research before making a call?
For a quick look up, two free applications which can readily be downloaded to your mobile devices are ASPCA’s Poison Control Hotline and the Pet Poison Helpline. Both offer easily navigable reference lists of toxic substances from plants to household chemicals to common over the counter and prescription pharmaceuticals. Still have concerns? You can immediately call the on-call, board certified, veterinary toxicologist for help determining whether at home care or emergency veterinary intervention is warranted.
Keeping this in mind, here are common indulgences LazyPaw Animal Hospitals veterinarians have seen pets part take of this time of year:
| Ingested Item | Potential Problems | Possible Treatments/Interventional Therapies Post Exposure |
| Chocolate | Tremors, Seizures, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Tremors, Collapse, Death, Pancreatitis (high fat content candies) | Examination, Induced vomition, Laboratory tests, Administration of charcoal and/or cathartic |
| Macadamia Nuts | Lethargy, hyperthermia, Tremors, Inability to walk | Examination, Induced vomition, Laboratory tests, Administration of charcoal and/or cathartic |
| NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) | Vomiting, Diarrhea, Anorexia, Acute kidney failure, Acute liver failure | Examination, Induced vomition, Administration of charcoal and/or cathartic, Laboratory tests, Fluid therapy, Hospitalization, Supportive care, Oxygen therapy, Blood transfusion, Referral for hemodialysis* |
| Raisins, grapes, currants | Acute kidney failure | Examination, Induced vomition, Administration of charcoal and/or cathartic, Laboratory tests, Fluid therapy, Hospitalization |
| Candles/Scentsy | Thermal burns, oral cavity burns, corrosive injury | Examination, Supportive care, Wound care, Antibiotic and Fluid therapy when indicated, Hospitalization (severe exposure cases) |
| Batteries | Corrosive injury to all levels of the gastrointestinal tract including the oral cavity, death | DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING, Radiographs to confirm location and number of batteries, Endoscopic or surgical removal |
| Xylitol containing products | Hypoglycemia, Liver Failure, Death | Examination, Induced vomition, Administration of charcoal and/or cathartic, Laboratory tests, Fluid therapy, Hospitalization, Supportive care |
| Turkey brine | Salt toxicosis leading to neurologic signs, brain swelling and death | Examination, Hospitalization, Laboratory tests, Fluid therapy, Oxygen therapy |
| Fatty foods | Vomiting, Diarrhea, Lethargy, Pancreatitis, Diabetes secondary to severe pancreatitis | Examination, Induced vomition, Administration of charcoal and/or cathartic, Laboratory tests, Fluid therapy, Hospitalization |
| Discarded food items | Pancreatitis, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Intestinal Obstruction | Examination, Induced vomition, Administration of charcoal and/or cathartic, Laboratory tests, Fluid therapy, Endoscopic or surgical removal of obstructing objects, Hospitalization |
| Tylenol | Depression, weakness/lethargy, muddy gum color, brownish urine, difficulty breathing, swelling of face and paws, death | Examination, Gastric lavage, Administration of charcoal and/or cathartic, Laboratory tests, Fluid therapy, Hospitalization, Oxygen therapy, Blood transfusion |
* Continuous Renal replacement therapy (also known as dialysis) is performed by a handful of specialty clinics across the United States, including Louisiana State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
LazyPaw Animal Hospitals is open six days week for both preventative and emergency care of both dogs and cats. Have questions or concerns? Give us a call at 972-712-1300 or check us out on the web at www.LazyPawVet.com. You only want the best for your pet. So do we.