A pet who has ingested or been exposed to a toxic substance will exhibit different symptoms depending on several variables: the kind of poison, the amount of the substance, and the individual pet.
If you believe your pet has been poisoned, call your vet immediately!
- Acid (bleach, drain cleaners) or alkali (ammonia, laundry detergent) poisoning. If acid is swallowed, the pet will drool and paw at his mouth. He may also experience abdominal pain. If the acid is on the skin, the pet will whine or cry, roll on the ground, or lick the burned spot. Rinse his mouth with milk or water, or feed him bread with oil. Do not induce vomiting. Rinse the skin with cool water.
- Antifreeze poisoning. A pet who has eaten antifreeze will exhibit drunken behavior, increased thirst, increased urination, panting, and appetite loss. Other symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures. Induce vomiting if you can.
- Chocolate poisoning. Symptoms include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excess urination, hyperactivity, muscle tremors, seizures, and coma. Induce vomiting if you can.
- Coal or tar poisoning (certain disinfectants, treated wood, fungicides). Coal-tar poisoning will cause your pet to seem weak and depressed and lose coordination. Coma and death can follow. Induce vomiting if the coal-tar product has been ingested. Bathe the pet in cool water if the poison is on the skin or coat.
- Flea product poisoning. Symptoms include apprehension, muscle twitching, shivering, seizures, drooling, eye watering, labored breathing, diarrhea, hyperactivity, and depression. Induce vomiting if swallowed; bathe the pet in cool water if the poison is on the skin or coat.
- Lead poisoning. A pet who is suffering from lead poisoning may experience abdominal pain, vomiting, seizures, lack of coordination, excitement or hysteria, excess barking, weakness, blindness, or chewing fits. Induce vomiting if you can.
- Pain medication overdose. You may see bloody vomit, drooling, appetite loss, or drunken behavior. Cats who have ingested acetaminophen will also have blue gums and difficulty breathing. Induce vomiting if you can.
- Pesticide poisoning (strychnine, arsenic, etc). A pet who has ingested a pesticide may exhibit a wide range of symptoms, including bloody urine, diarrhea, blood from any body opening, severe thirst, staggering and seizure, paralysis, abdominal pain or cramping, strong garlic breath, depression, and coma. Induce vomiting if you can.
- Petroleum poisoning. Do not induce vomiting if your pet has ingested a petroleum product; feed oil on bread instead. Wash your pet in cool water if the petroleum product is on the skin or coat. Symptoms include vomiting, difficulty breathing, tremors or seizures, coma, respiratory failure, or death.