With rising concerns of possible pet poisonings in Yellowstone County in mind, here is a list of precautions you can take to cut down on the risk to your pet, signs of possible poisoning, and actions to take if you suspect your pet has been poisoned.
How can I keep my pets safe from poisoning?
Keep dangerous materials (cleaning supplies, fertilizer, etc.) in and around your home secured in cabinets where your pets will not have access to them.
Be aware of what foods are hazardous to pets if eaten, and keep them out of the reach of animals.
If you live on property that might be accessible to someone walking or driving by, be vigilant and watch out for pet food and treats that are out of place. Inspect your yard thoroughly for anything conspicuous before letting your animals out.
Keep an eye on your pets at all times. Do not leave them outside alone for an extended amount of time.
What are the symptoms of pet poisoning?
- Cardiac symptoms such as irregular heartbeat
- Loss of blood (bruising, blood in stool, nosebleeds, anemia)
- Seizures and other neurological disorders
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Drooling
- Pale gums
- Inability to urinate
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of balance
- Skin rash
- Swelling of tongue
- Muscle rigidity and tremor
**If your dog is suffering from one or more of the above symptoms, get help
immediately.
What should I do if I suspect my pet has been poisoned?
- Make sure your dog is breathing, alert, and behaving normally.
- Keep your dog and everyone else away from the source of the poisoning. Note what was eaten and keep any labels or information about the product or object. That will help medical professionals make the right decision for treatment.
- If the poison is in the dog’s fur, wash the dog thoroughly if you can do so safely.
- Don’t use any at-home remedies or antidotes. And don’t try to make your dog vomit before you talk to a veterinarian. Vomiting may be the right approach, but it might also be dangerous based on what your dog ingested and what’s happening in the dog’s body.
- Make an immediate call to your veterinarian or a phone hotline to help with pet poisoning, like the Pet Poison Hotline at 855-764-7661, or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435. Remember, hotlines like these do charge for their services, so a consultation fee may apply.
- If your dog needs medical help, call your veterinarian or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic as soon as possible. The sooner you get help for a dog poisoning, the better the chances your dog can recover from poisoning.
- If you find or see anything suspicious, report it to Animal Control at 406-657-8226 or the Police Department at 406-657-8200.
Treatment, whether at home under a veterinarian’s orders or in a veterinary hospital, will be specific to the poison. Your veterinarian may recommend that you induce vomiting in your dog in some situations, but not in others. Once in the hospital, your veterinarian may give your dog intravenous fluid, flush your dog’s stomach, give your dog activated charcoal to absorb the toxin, or perform surgery. Supportive medications may help your dog’s kidneys and liver process the poison and heal.
**It’s a good idea to have 3% Hydrogen Peroxide on hand at all times. YVAS also sells Animal First Aid Kits. You can find them
here.
