Toxic Ingestion

What to Do if Your Pet is Poisoned

Urgent Pet Care Omaha frequently treats pets reacting to toxins they’ve encountered. Pets, like children, often find hidden cleansers, chemicals, and pest traps, leading to toxic ingestion. Additionally, certain plants and foods can be harmful. Some toxic ingestions are deadly and require immediate medical attention. If your pet encounters a toxin, call Urgent Pet Care Omaha right away.

Common Pet Poisons: What to Watch For

Our emergency veterinarians in Omaha frequently handles cases of toxic ingestion in pets. Some common sources include:

Insecticides & Pesticides

Roach and rodent baits can attract pets, and even poisoned pests can pose a risk. Insecticides, especially those containing organophosphates, are particularly dangerous.

Antifreeze

A leading cause of toxic reactions in pets, antifreeze has a sweet taste that appeals to animals, making it a significant hazard.

Household Cleansers & Chemicals

Items such as laundry supplies, hygiene products, and potpourri can be toxic if ingested.

Foods

Certain foods are highly toxic to pets, including grapes, chocolate, onions, xylitol, coffee grounds, rhubarb, alcohol, and raw dough. Even some store-bought pet foods can cause allergic reactions.

Toxic House Plants

Plants such as tulips, sago palms, hyacinths, poinsettias, amaryllis, and various lilies are known to be toxic to pets. Proper research before planting can help prevent accidental ingestion.

Human Medications

Medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen are extremely dangerous for pets. No human medications should be given to pets without consulting a veterinarian.

Toxic Mushrooms

Pets that spend time outdoors may encounter wild mushrooms and plants that are toxic or psychotropic. Immediate veterinary care is essential in these cases.

Symptoms of Pet Poisoning or Toxic Ingestion

It’s rare to catch your pet in the act of ingesting something harmful, but symptoms will eventually appear. Signs of poisoning include foaming at the mouth, excessive drooling, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, lack of appetite, excessive thirst, unusual behavior, lethargy, and changes in urination.

If you notice any of these symptoms and suspect toxic exposure, seek emergency veterinary care in Omaha immediately. Prompt treatment is critical to prevent serious consequences such as organ failure and internal bleeding, which can be fatal.

Emergency Stabilization and Treatment for Toxic Reactions

When a pet shows signs of toxic exposure, our primary goal is to stabilize their condition. If breathing is compromised, we may need to establish an open airway or administer CPR if the heart has stopped. Next, we focus on neutralizing the ingested toxin.

Treatment options may include administering activated charcoal or enemas to prevent absorption, using external oils to stop dermal absorption, performing gastric lavage to cleanse the stomach, giving diuretics to enhance toxin elimination through urine, and dialysis for severe cases to filter the kidneys and blood.

Having an Emergency?

If you believe your pet has ingested a toxic substance, stop and call now. Please bring the packaging or product with you when you come in.

What’s an Emergency?

Call Us