If your animal has eaten something it should not have.

If fewer than two hours have passed since the accident, you may try to initiate vomiting. In order to do that, you may use salt or 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.  

• You should make a small salt ball and put it into your pet’s throat. To make the ball you may use small amount of water and one tea-spoon of salt. You may only try to use the salt ball once, as repeated consumption of salt may cause life-threatening salt poisoning.
• You may give 1 – 2 ml per one kilogram of body weight of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. However, the maximum dose may not exceed 50 ml – for dogs and 10 ml – for cats. In approximately ten minutes after solution administration, the animal would normally start vomiting. If it does not happen, one more dose of the solution may be given.
• Activated carbon/ charcoal is also administered in case of most poisonings. It helps fix toxins in the digestive organs. The initial dose for both cats and dogs is one (1) gram per kilogram of body weight, which means you should give four (4) regular pills sold in regular pharmacies per each kilogram of body weight. That also means that large dogs need significant amounts of activated carbon/ charcoal for it to have an effect.

If the animal is already vomiting, is unconscious, no longer has swallowing reflex, or is suffering from cramps, it is contraindicated to induce further vomiting or administer any medications.  You must immediately contact the animal clinic, and they will instruct you on further actions and ask you to come to the clinic as soon as possible.

It is contraindicated to induce vomiting in case of acid or alkali poisoning. In such cases, the use of activated carbon/ charcoal is inefficient, as carbon does not fix these substances. If the animal is awake, you may give it some water or milk to try to neutralize the poison. Afterwards, you should contact the animal clinic to get further instructions.

Phone call to the clinic

When calling the animal clinic, be prepared to answer the following important questions:

• What and when did you animal eat?
• What amount of the substance has it swallowed?
• How much does your animal weigh?
• What was health condition of the animal before the accident? Does the animal regularly receive any medications?

Based on the acquired information, the veterinarian or animal clinic receptionist will instruct you on further actions and will possible ask you to come to the clinic.

Arrival at the clinic

If you are asked to take you animal to the clinic, it is recommended to bring with you the package of the poison/ chemical substance/ solution consumed, as it may provide the veterinarian with the necessary additional information.

You should take into consideration your animal health condition while transporting it to the clinic. If the dog is suffering from cramps or is confused, you should make a soft place at the backseat of the car to minimise the risk of the animal injuring itself. The owner or handler has to be careful, so that a confused animal would not damage them.

If the animal has a high fever, moist towels can be put around its body, on the armpits and groin area. It is suitable to use cold packs, but they have to be wrapped in a towel to avoid direct contact with the skin. Using air conditioning or opening the widows of the car may also help lower the body temperature.