Monday – Saturday: 7 AM to 6 PM
Closed Sundays

 

(520) 572-8300
7555 W Twin Peaks Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85743

Poison Treatment

 

 

Are You Concerned Your Pet has Been Accidentally Poisoned? Contact an emergency veterinarian right away. If you suspect your animal has consumed a poisonous substance, call Twin Peaks Veterinary at (520) 413-9422 immediately to get in touch with an emergency veterinarian in Tucson.

You can also try the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Hotline at (888) 426-4435. Accidental poisoning is one of the most common reasons for emergency pet visits every year in this country. At Twin Peaks Veterinary Center, our Tucson and Marana veterinarians do everything we can to help animals recover from this frightening health emergency—and educating pet parents is one of the most important steps to take.

Common Poisonous Substances Ingested by a Cat or Dog

There are probably several things around your home which are poisonous to a cat or dog. Be sure to keep the following things away from your pets:

  • Medications (for humans or pets)
  • Plants including holly, mistletoe, poinsettia, philodendron, tulips, and lilies
  • Human food: chocolate, raisins, grapes, gum with xylitol, garlic, onions, and chives
  • Rat poison, fertilizers, insecticides, bleach, laundry detergent, antifreeze, disinfectants, and other common household chemicals
  • Pennies minted after 1982 (these contain the heavy metal zinc, and there’s enough even in a single ingested penny to cause anemia and kidney failure)

How to Tell if Your Pet has Ingested a Poisonous or Toxic Substance—And What to Do About It

Sometimes we catch our animals in the act of getting into something they shouldn’t, or simply notice something awry (such as missing, partially consumed, or spilled items). These situations themselves warrant a call to a veterinarian in Tucson, however, we also recommend calling an emergency pet hospital if you notice any of the following signs in your cat or dog:

  • Unusual lethargy
  • Heavy breathing and respiratory difficulties
  • Excessive drooling
  • Sudden vomiting or diarrhea (with or without blood in it)
  • Lameness or unsteady gait
  • Seizure and collapse

How a Veterinarian in Tucson Can Provide Urgent Poison Treatment for Your Cat or Dog

When you bring your animal in to see a veterinarian in Tucson, he or she will rely thoroughly on your input. What did your cat or dog get into? How much of it was consumed? What kind of symptoms has it been showing? What’s its health history? Be prepared to answer these questions to the best of your ability.

We’ll get to work right away to meet your pet’s urgent needs. Treatments may include:

  • Immediate life-saving measures such as emergency surgery
  • Activated charcoal and other methods to induce vomiting (this is not always indicated, however, depending on the substance consumed)
  • Supplemental medications such as IV fluids, pain relieving medications, and other drugs to manage symptoms