Symptoms and Measures for Poisoning (Intoxications)

• Remove your pet from the danger zone.
• Remove visible toxins without endangering yourself.
• Rinse or wipe out the oral cavity, but your animal must be responsive so that you can be sure that the protective reflexes (swallowing reflex, cough reflex) are functioning.
• Keep the label if your pet has eaten the contents of a package.
• In case of skin contact with a toxin, wash or preferably shower your pet thoroughly for at least 15 minutes. If you clean your pet in a bathtub, use fresh water repeatedly. Wear gloves yourself.
• In case of eye contact with a toxin, rinse your pet’s eyes with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
• If vomiting occurs, ensure that the animal’s muzzle is the lowest point. Conscious animals will assume this position on their own. For animals that are not fully mobile, you must support your pet. To do this, lift your animal by its abdomen and pelvis so that the vomited stomach contents can drain and do not enter the airways.
• Afterward, clean the oral cavity with a paper towel or similar. Make sure the throat is clear. Do not push food chunks towards the back of the throat.
• Do not administer anything, not even milk!
• Do not try to induce Vomiting in your animal yourself.

If possible and without endangering yourself, consider the following if poisoning is suspected:

• Take the suspected poison and/or its packaging, label, and package insert with you to the vet.
• Note when your animal ingested the poison, the (estimated) amount, and how it ingested the poison (eaten, inhaled, through the skin).
• Are there toxic plants in the household or garden, or was there clear contact during a walk?
• Have insecticides, plant poisons, or rat baits been used in the household or in areas accessible to the pet?
• Is the animal currently receiving medication, and if so, which ones?