A condition that results from the ingestion, inhalation, absorption, injection, or application of a substance that causes structural damage or functional disturbance of the tissues of the body.

What to do: - Follow the instructions in the First Aid for Poisoning Section below. To summarize:

- Try to get in touch with a veterinarian or a poison control center, and follow their instructions.

- If you can't get in touch with either and the poisoning occurred within the last 3 hours, induce vomiting unless your pet has ingested a petroleum product, a cleaning solution, or a strong acid or alkali.

- If the product is a petroleum product, cleaning solution, strong acid, or strong alkali, or was ingested more than 3 hours ago, you must get your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

-ALWAYS induce vomiting IMMEDIATELY for antifreeze ingestion!  DO NOT WAIT!

- If the pet vomits, save a sample of the vomitus for later inspection by the veterinarian.

- For accidental application of a chemical to your pet's skin, see Chemical Injuries section.

What NOT to do: - Do not give any liquid (other than the hydrogen peroxide or syrup of ipecac if inducing vomiting): they may move the poison into the body sooner.

- Do not attempt to induce vomiting in seizuring, confused, or comatose pets.

First Aid for Poisoning

If you suspect that your pet has consumed a substance that is poisonous, look for evidence (i.e., an open container, a pool of antifreeze, etc.). Call your veterinarian or a poison control center and be prepared to answer the following questions:

- What product caused the poisoning and how much was ingested? - When did the poisoning occur? - What symptoms are your pet exhibiting? - Can you retrieve a container or label from the poisonous substance to determine the active ingredient.

Follow the instructions of the veterinarian or the poison control center.

If you cannot get in touch with a veterinarian or a poison control center, then induce vomiting with the following exceptions:

Do not induce vomiting if:

- the animal is unconscious, semi-conscious, or convulsing, - there is evidence that the poison was: -- a strong acid, -- an alkali (such as bleach), -- a petroleum product, -- a cleaning product, or -- the substance was ingested more than 3 hours ago.

If your pet ingested one of these substances, or the poison was ingested more than three hours ago, it is imperative that you somehow get him to a veterinary facility for treatment.

To induce vomiting:

- Give full strength (3%) hydrogen peroxide by mouth at a dosage of 1 tablespoon per 15-20 pounds of body weight, or - Syrup of ipecac (follow label directions)

If the pet is going to be transported to a veterinary facility, search for containers of the poison to take with the animal. Transport the pet immediately: don't wait until vomiting commences (if you induced vomiting). Cleaning out your car is a small price to pay for a successful outcome in a serious poisoning case.

If you have any doubts as to whether a substance is poisonous, call a veterinarian or a poison control center.

Antifreeze has a sweet taste which may be tempting to cats and dogs; its ingestion is potentially fatal.

Copyright 1994, by Roger W. Gfeller and Michael W. Thomas. All rights reserved