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Toxic products
Organophosphates and/or organochlorines
Possibility of intoxication
- When watering the lawn
- It is essential to wait 24 hours before coming into contact with the lawn for humans, and 48 hours for animals
- Other possible intoxications include a large amount of flea control products placed and/or given to the animal in question
Absorption
- Ingestion
- Skin
- Footpads
- By licking themselves
Clinical signs/symptoms
- Abundant salivation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Urinating outside their litter (cats)
- Urinating in the house (dogs)
- Nervousness
- Agitation
- Trembling
- Convulsions
- Fever
- Paralysis
At home emergency care
- If the intoxication at hand is caused by organophosphates and has occurred less than 4 hours ago, it is important to induce vomiting and then go see your veterinarian.
- If the intoxication at hand is caused by organochlorines, vomiting should not be induced due to the irritation and possible burning of the esophagus.
- If the intoxicating product has been placed on the skin of the animal, it is required to wash the animal with an animal or baby shampoo with running water and to shave the animal if necessary.
Veterinary care
- Activated charcoal: absorbs the toxic products
- WARNING: the mortality rate is high. It is very important to act rapidly and consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Rat poisoning (rodenticide)
- Inviting: it’s tasty!
- Potent anti-coagulant
Clinical signs/symptoms
- Difficulty breathing
- Lethargy
- Anorexia
- Hemorrhage (stools, urine)
At home emergency care
- If the intoxication at hand has occurred less than 12 hours ago, it is important to induce vomiting and to consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Veterinary care
- Activated charcoal
- Blood transfusion depending on the severity of the case
- Vitamin K to aide in coagulation, due to its implication in the coagulation process
Antifreeze gel
Sweet smell and taste, extremely dangerous
- Toxic dose:
- CAT: 16 ml
- DOG: 5 ml/kg
Clinical signs/symptoms
- Vomiting
- Anorexia
- Ataxic
- Weary
- Polydipsia
- Polyuria
- Convulsions
- Coma
- Death
At home emergency care
- DO NOT induce vomiting
- Consult the closest veterinary clinic
Veterinary care
- IV fluids
- Antidote of ethylene glycol: ethanol
- Activated charcoal
- Painkillers
- Support therapy
Foods
1- Onions and garlic
Toxic for;
- Dogs
- Cats
- Cows
- Horses
- Goats
Causes:
- Anemia
- Jaundice
- Blood in the urine
Diagnostic tests:
Treatment:
- IV fluids and transfusion
2- Chocolate, tea, coffee
Toxic for;
Toxic dose:
- Chocolate: 0/5 g/kg
- Coffee: 0.1 g/kg
Clinical signs/symptoms
coffee and tea
- Vomiting
- Hyperactivity
- Tachycardia
- Increase in respiratory rate
- Convulsions
- Loss of equilibrium/balance
Chocolate
- Vomiting
- Hyperactivity
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Loss of equilibrium/balance
- Coma
- Blood in the urine
- Abdominal cramps
- Bradycardia
Veterinary care
- Induce vomiting if the intoxication occurred less than 2-3 hours ago
- Activated charcoal in order to intercept the toxins released by the intoxication
- IV fluids
- Antibiotics
- Treatment for diarrhea
- Stabilize the heart
- Stabilize the breathing
Toxic medications
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Anaprox
- VERY HIGH RISK 50 mg/kg
Clinical signs
- Vomiting
- Stupor
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Renal disorders
- Lethargy
- Loss of balance/equilibrium
In clinic
- Blood and urine analysis
- Activated charcoal (induce vomiting if intoxication has occurred less than 12 hours ago)
- Antidote
- IV fluids
WARNING: The intoxication to Tylenol is devastating and extremely dangerous. In less than 24 hours, the animal can die. This medication causes cyanosis in cats. Additional signs include: blood in the urine, pruritus, inflammation of the face, depression, anorexia.
Drugs
Clinical signs
- Dilated pupils
- Hypothermia
- Coma
- Hypersalivation
- Respiratory distress
- Loss of balance/equilibrium
Treatment
- Induce vomiting if the intoxication has occurred recently (NOT if they are in a coma)
- IV fluids and wait until the drug has been eliminated
- Activated charcoal
Plants
- Branches
- Stems
- Leaves
- Toxic flowers
- Roots
It is important to be familiar with the name of the plants that we have in our homes (latin names). In case of an intoxication, one must take into account:
- the amount ingested
- the time elapsed since the ingestion
- the animal size
Frequent toxic plants
- Aloe: liquid latex; can cause renal problems
- Amaryllis bulbs: can induce vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Cestrums: fruits, leaves and sap. Can cause respiratory distress, an increase in heart rate, as well as an increase in the arterial pressure
- Cottonseed: can induce a severe and deadly case of diarrhea
- Dieffenbachia: can cause immediate pain to the oral region, anaphylaxis, edema in the throat
- Poinsettia (euphorbia): sap causes a severe irritation of the oropharynx, diarrhea, vomiting
- Lillium (cats): stops urine production in the 48 hours following ingestion
- Jonquille: causes intense gastric pain, diarrhea, vomiting
- Rododendron: causes vomiting, weakness, heart abnormalities, coma, and maybe even death
What to do at home in case of an intoxication
- Write down the name of the product in question
- Write down the concentration or the dose of the product
- Estimate or actually weigh your animal
- Contact a veterinarian to find out what needs to be done: 450-641-4003 OR the DMV Center, open 24h/7 days at 514-855-5555 or the anti-poison center at 1-800-548-2423.
- Follow the directions
How to induce vomiting at home, if necessary
- Hydrogen peroxide 3% (opened less than 3 months ago) Administer 2-5 ml/kg orally without exceeding 40-50 ml in total
- Dish soap Make a solution containing 3 tablespoons in 8 ounces of water. Administer 10 ml/kg of this solution.
- Syrup of ipecac Dog: 1-2 ml/kg orally
- Cat: 3 ml/kg orally
- Repeat ONCE 15 minutes later