Emergency
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Emergency · 24h veterinarian

My pet swallowed something toxic

Chocolate, grapes, xylitol, rat poison, antifreeze, lilies (cats): what to do in the first minutes.

Life at risk? Call an emergency vet or 112 right now. 112

What to do, step by step

  1. 1Move the animal away from the product and keep the packaging, label or a sample: the vet needs to know what and how much.
  2. 2Call the emergency vet right away and give the time of ingestion, the weight of the animal and the symptoms (vomiting, tremors, drooling, lethargy).
  3. 3Do not induce vomiting or give milk, salt or home remedies without the vet saying so: with some toxins it makes things worse.
  4. 4If there is product on the fur or paws, wash with warm water and mild soap so it is not licked off.
  5. 5Go to the clinic even if the animal seems fine: some poisons (rodenticides, antifreeze) only show signs hours or days later.

The most common toxins at home: chocolate, grapes and raisins, onion and garlic, xylitol (sugar-free gum and sweets), human medicines (paracetamol and ibuprofen), rat and snail poison, antifreeze, lilies and other plants (cats), dog antiparasitics applied to cats.

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General information, with no legal or veterinary value. In an emergency call 112 or a vet right away; always confirm procedures with the official bodies.