Pet Poison Control: What to Do in an Emergency

Pets are curious by nature, and sometimes that curiosity can lead to a dangerous situation. Even in the tidiest of homes, accidents can happen where your pet gets into something toxic, or during your busy schedule you and someone in your home medicates your pet twice by accident! Whether your dog got into human medication, your cat licked a toxic plant, or your pet ate something they should not have, acting quickly can make a big difference. Knowing the signs of poisoning and when to call the emergency vet can help protect your pet and give them the best chance at a safe recovery.

What Pet Poisoning Can Look Like

Pet poisoning does not always look severe right away. Some pets may seem tired, restless, or just a little “off,” while others may suddenly start vomiting, drooling, trembling, or having trouble walking. Other severe warning signs can include diarrhea, pale gums, weakness, seizures, or collapse.

The symptoms depend on what your pet was exposed to, how much they ingested, and how long ago it happened. In some cases, a pet may seem fine at first and still develop symptoms later, so it is important to take any possible exposure seriously.

Common Causes of Poisoning

Pets can be exposed to toxic substances in many everyday ways. Flavored medications and tasty toxic household items are one of the biggest risks, and even a small amount can be dangerous for dogs and cats. Other common hazards include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, xylitol, household cleaners, rodenticides, insecticides, and poisonous plants.

Medication mistakes are also a serious concern. If your pet is given the wrong dose of their own medication or accidentally receives a human medication, it can lead to stomach upset, neurologic symptoms, or more serious complications. Any dosing error should be treated as urgent until a veterinarian says otherwise.

What To Do Right Away

If you think your pet may have eaten something toxic, stay calm and act quickly. Reading labels and assessing when and how much was ingested will be the first things you should do. Monitor your pet for any reactions that seem unsual for them (drooling, vomiting, dry heaving, loose stool etc.) If you can, save the packaging, bottle, or plant, since that information can help the veterinarian or poison expert decide what to do next. If your regular vet is closed, calling a pet poison hotline is a great resource (we will list them below for you!) As a pet sitter we have had to use this number, since accidents can always happen, and they are extraordinarily responsive, knowledgeable and friendly. They do charge a fee, but the peace of mind is totally worth it!

Do not try home remedies unless a veterinarian specifically tells you to do so. Some substances can cause more harm if you make the pet vomit, and waiting too long can make treatment less effective.

When To Go To the Emergency Vet

Some situations should be treated as emergencies right away. Go to the emergency vet immediately if your pet has trouble breathing, collapses, cannot stand, has seizures, or has repeated vomiting or diarrhea. If you are unsure we always say "if you are worried enough to call, a vet visit isn't going to hurt".

Other warning signs include pale or bluish gums, severe weakness, trembling, abnormal behavior, or bleeding. If something feels seriously wrong, it is better to treat it as an emergency than to wait and see.

What We do as Pet Sitters

If we arrive at a home and it seems as though a pet got into something they shouldn't have (usually if we see trash taken out of the receptacle or chewed up containers) we assess the situation quickly by checking any packaging for missing contents, scraps lets behind and figuring out what the contents are. If the pet is already exhibiting distressed or abnormal behavior our first step is to call the owners and discuss and if we feel they need immediate attention we will gather the pet into our vehicle, call the vet we have on file and let them know we are headed that way. If the regular vet is unavailable, we will head to the Emergency vet of your choice!

Very rarely when pets ingest something will they need immediate emergency care and with a little extra monitoring they will make a full recovery at home but being equipped to handle an emergency, react quickly and have the knowledge on how to proceed is something your pet sitter should know how to do.

Accidents can always happen, whether with you or your pet sitter. If your pet sitter accidentally gives the wrong dose of medication, the first thing to do is to inform the owner immediately, relay the information of how much, when and what medication was given and then call their veterinarian, emergency vet, or pet poison hotline to find out if this is an emergency or not. Most medications are not toxic when given a slightly higher dose but full pill bottles or injections can cause serious damage so being vigilant and communicative with your sitter, the owner and a veterinarian are the top priorities when dealing with a possible emergency.

How Poison Control Can Help

Pet poison control resources can help determine whether your pet needs immediate veterinary care or closer monitoring. Depending on the substance and the symptoms, they may recommend specific next steps or advise you to go straight to the emergency hospital. Fast guidance can save time and help prevent the situation from getting worse.

It is a good idea to keep emergency numbers saved in your phone, including your regular vet, the nearest emergency animal hospital, and any poison control hotlines. Being prepared makes it much easier to respond quickly when every minute matters.

How To Prevent Future Problems

The best way to handle pet poisoning is to prevent it before it happens. Keep medications, cleaning products, supplements, and toxic foods locked away and out of reach. Make sure all household members know not to give pets human medication unless a veterinarian has approved it.

A little preparation can go a long way. Store emergency contacts where they are easy to find, pet-proof rooms before leaving your animal alone, if your pet is prone to getting into things they shouldn't, consider using a kennel or a specific room in your house for them to stay in when they are left alone for long periods of time! We love our pets because they are family and when something scary happens it can make us spiral and panic but taking a breath and trying to stay calm will help your pet stay calm and reduce any further issues arising during an emergency.

Useful phone numbers and websites

Missoula Emergency vets - Both are on Reserve Street

Sentinel Veterinary and Emergency Services: https://www.sentinelvse.com/ Our employee Mackenzee works at the front desk.

Pet Emergency Center https://www.emergencyvetmissoula.com/

Pet Poison Helpline or call 855-764-7661 A one time $89 fee is applied

ASPCA Poison Hotline or call (888) 426-4435 a fee of around $95 is applied

Just Answer Pet poison online chat- $5 sign up fee and then a monthly membership of $65 - so if you have 1 question be sure to cancel your membership afterwards