Calusa Veterinary Center

My Pet Ate What? What Do I Do?

Is your pet perfect? Of course she is! Does your pet listen and mind well? Of course he does! Are your pets trust-worthy and well-mannered? Of course they are! Might your pets ingest something toxic or harmful? Of course not!

By Robert Fryer, DVM

We all want to believe that our pets are good decision makers. We certainly do not expect our pets to do anything that would be harmful to themselves. But the truth is that our furry family members are often not the best decision makers and can absolutely put themselves in harms way. Dogs and cats are curious and sometimes even mischievous. Dirty laundry is a common fascination for dogs. Strings and ribbons are quite interesting to cats. The kitchen and bathroom trash cans can be irresistible to puppies. Plastic bags, rubber bands, and hair ties can be really enticing to kittens. The bait on that fish hook looks really appetizing to our canine fishing buddy.

My Pet Ate What? What Do I Do?

The Dangers of Pet Poisoning

When our dogs ingest that dirty sock and our cats swallow the colorful ribbon, we can resolve the problem with surgery. As Veterinarians, we are trained and skilled at removing non-digestible objects from the bellies of our pets.

What happens if the ingested object is not surgically retrievable? What do we do when our dog swallows grandpa’s heart medication? What do we do when our cat licks the medical marijuana butter? Truth be told, there are products all around the house that are toxic to our pets…human pharmaceuticals, chocolate bars, medical marijuana products, Cane Toads (outside), household cleaners, plants and flowers, alcohol, fruits, pest control products, and illicit drugs. What happens when our curious and mischievous pets get into these products?

First Aid for Pet Poisoning Emergencies in Boca Raton

We are fortunate to have Veterinarians specifically trained in Toxicology and they are only a phone call away. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and the Pet Poison Helpline are available 24/7 for consultations. When our furry friends ingest something potentially harmful, we can get reliable advice from trained professionals within minutes. These poison control centers work together with your Veterinarian to provide the best care for your pet when time is of the essence. In an emergency, a consultation with a Poison Control Centers provides critical information for immediate (and often life-saving) treatment of your pet.

In the emergency room at Calusa Veterinary Center, we have successfully managed multiple marijuana ingestions, chocolate ingestions, illicit drug exposures, pest control product ingestions, human pharmaceutical ingestions, and veterinary medication overdoses. In nearly all situations, the timely involvement of the Pet Poison Control Center provided critical and valuable information for the immediate treatment of the pet.

If your dog or cat ingests something potentially harmful, immediately call one of the Pet Poison Control Centers. These hotlines provide immediate assistance and advice for your pet’s care to both you and your Veterinarian.

Visit Our 24-Hour Emergency Veterinarian in Boca Raton

Pet poisoning emergencies require immediate action. At Calusa Veterinary Center, our experienced team is equipped to handle a wide range of poisonings and provide life-saving care. Don't wait, bring your pet to us immediately.

Calusa Veterinary Center offers 24/7 emergency care for pets who have ingested harmful substances. Our Boca Raton veterinarians are trained in toxicology and work closely with poison control centers to provide the best possible treatment. Contact us immediately if you suspect your pet has been poisoned.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
888-426-4435

Pet Poison Hotline
855-764-7661

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Phone: 561-999-3000

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