Animal Poison Control is Extremely Helpful
We often receive calls that start with “My dog just ate…” and end with “is that bad?” Our favorite answer is “no.” Another answer we like is “yes, but we can help if you come in right away.” The answer I don’t enjoy giving is “we need to call poison control.”
While most vets are competent at handling the most common toxin ingestions, there is a lot of stuff out there. Most animal poison control centers have a large database to access a wealth of information about the particular toxin ingested and offer veterinary specialist support throughout the treatment. We use the ASPCA hotline most commonly (888-426-4435). Our clients can either call from home to talk to the poison control directly or we can call for them. We recommend our clients call them directly so they can collect all the information that is pertinent. We can then follow-up immediately afterward using the case number with the poison control veterinarian.
The most commonly needed information include:
- How much does your pet weigh?
- Is your pet on any medications?
- What did your pet ingest? (Have the packaging at hand if possible because the details matter)
- How much of it did they ingest?
- What time did this occur?
- How is your pet feeling now?
- Have you given nothing to your pet?
There may be a consult fee that you can pay for over the phone. The service then records the case information and the owner is given a consult number. The local veterinarian is then allowed full access to the database and the veterinary specialist for the duration of treatment.
The ASPCA website (www.aspca.org) will send you a magnet with their poison control phone number so you have it handy. They are also a good source to call initially if you think your pet ate something irregular, you can’t reach your regular vet and you need to know if you need to rush to an ER.
Also, check out the top 10 pet poisons of 2008.
--Dr. Olson
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Dr. Olson practices small animal medicine in Denver, CO and is a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.
Cindy on June 26, 2009 at 02:50 PM
I do not think it is fair to charge $60 for life saving information in an emergency situation!
Brenda Bates on June 28, 2009 at 07:29 AM
What do pet owners do who may not have the "low" fee of $35.00- $55.00? In today's economy, many are out of work with no income....Do you just let your pet die????
mpls2009 on August 01, 2009 at 03:32 PM
I was recently in a situation where a pet of mine had ingested (#20)laxatives. It was after-hours and I called our local pet ER.
I was told to call poison control and that there would be a "nominal" fee of $40-$60.
I found this really distasteful and less inclined to support them in the future.
First, I wanted to know if I needed to rush my dog to the ER. It was a fairly straightforward question that required no more than a few strokes of the keyboard for them to look up.
They were more interested in payment and the attendant billing info, than they were about the crisis I was facing.
I assume once I wasted 15-20 minutes with them on the phone, they would have told me to take him in.
It was less about the money and more about the principle for me.
Do clinics/vets get "referral" fees?
Am I paying $240/hour(pro-rated) to speak with a trained vet or a $10/hr. employee who is by their database and is responsible for billing first, and care second?
I think the world of the ASPCA but I found this poison control program to be less than honorable.
Jane Wright on January 01, 2010 at 02:51 AM
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control center is unfortunately not able to provide this service for free, they staff Veterinarians and Board Certified Toxicologists as well as Certified Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants. They do not receive any funding from our government and do not use funds from the ASPCA donations, they are a non profit organization, meaning the money they have to charge goes back into keeping the operation afloat. They have to pay the employees, rent for the building they work out of and everything else associated with that. Human poison control centers are funded by the government. I don't think its fair to say it is distasteful, what do you expect them to do? Think of it as Veterinary practice would you expect to have free services for your dog if he was hit by a car???
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joesen on December 24, 2010 at 10:27 PM
While most vets are competent at handling the most common toxin ingestions, there is a lot of stuff out there.
LP on February 01, 2011 at 03:01 PM
My little terrier ate part of a norpace...no one will help me to find out what to do or if he will be all right without first demanding a fee up front. I'm out of work and will have to just wait and see and hope that my little friend does not die. Thanks so very much to all of the people out there "helping" in an emergency..no compassion at all! In these hard times, there should be something a pet owner can do to get help...also most lines CLOSE at 5PM.
Andy Belcher on February 28, 2011 at 09:45 PM
I have to agree with most the others who have posted on this site. My animals are as important to me as a child is to a parent. Two of my dogs ate up to 15 of my singulair prescription and I can get no one to help me, with out a payment of $35 to $85. I am so upset. All I needed to know was if this was an emergency or should I be concerned. Very disappointed in the aspca.