Emergency Red Flags | Household Poison Red Flags (Minute-Scale vs Needing Immediate Action)

FAQ

If I suspect my pet has swallowed a poison, what is the first thing to do?

The only permitted action is to contact a vet or the local animal poison control hotline immediately and bring the packaging and any remnants to the clinic. The name and number of the local hotline differ from country to country, so you need to check the institution in your own area yourself.

ペットが毒物を誤飲した疑いがあるとき、最初にすべきことは何ですか？ — 許される行動は、直ちに獣医師または地域の動物中毒対応ホットラインに連絡し、包装と残った物を持って受診することだけです。地域のホットラインの名称と電話番号は国によって異なるため、お住まいの地域の機関はご自身で確認してください。

If I suspect my pet has swallowed a poison, what is the first thing to do? — The only permitted action is to contact a vet or the local animal poison control hotline immediately and bring the packaging and any remnants to the clinic. The name and number of the local hotline differ from country to country, so you need to check the institution in your own area yourself.

Why can vomiting not be induced at home?

When an owner induces vomiting in an animal that is already having seizures, has an altered level of consciousness, has swallowed a corrosive or oily substance, or has a particular anatomy such as a brachycephalic dog or cat, it can cause aspiration into the airway, chemical pneumonia or oesophageal perforation, and the risk may be higher than that of the poison itself. That is why no method, drug or dose for inducing vomiting is given here.

なぜ家で自分で吐かせてはいけないのですか？ — 飼い主による自己判断の催吐は、動物がすでにけいれんしている、意識がはっきりしない、腐食性や油性の物質を誤飲した、あるいは短頭種の犬猫のような特定の身体構造をもつ場合に、気管への誤嚥、化学性肺炎、食道穿孔を招くことがあり、毒物そのものより危険になりうるためです。そのため、ここでは催吐の方法・催吐薬・用量を一切示していません。

Why can vomiting not be induced at home? — When an owner induces vomiting in an animal that is already having seizures, has an altered level of consciousness, has swallowed a corrosive or oily substance, or has a particular anatomy such as a brachycephalic dog or cat, it can cause aspiration into the airway, chemical pneumonia or oesophageal perforation, and the risk may be higher than that of the poison itself. That is why no method, drug or dose for inducing vomiting is given here.

Why do many poisonings need a clinic visit before any signs appear?

Because the toxic process is already under way before signs appear. With sago palm, grapes and raisins, xylitol, anticoagulant rodenticides, slug bait and ethylene glycol antifreeze in dogs, by the time obvious signs such as seizures, jaundice or no urine output show up, the golden window for treatment has usually passed.

なぜ多くの毒物では、症状が出ていないうちに受診する必要があるのですか？ — 症状が出る前にすでに毒性が進行しているからです。犬のソテツ、ブドウとレーズン、キシリトール、抗凝固性殺鼠剤、ナメクジ駆除剤、エチレングリコール不凍液などでは、けいれん発作、黄疸、無尿といったはっきりした症状が出たときには、処置の好機を逃していることが多くなります。

Why do many poisonings need a clinic visit before any signs appear? — Because the toxic process is already under way before signs appear. With sago palm, grapes and raisins, xylitol, anticoagulant rodenticides, slug bait and ethylene glycol antifreeze in dogs, by the time obvious signs such as seizures, jaundice or no urine output show up, the golden window for treatment has usually passed.