Pet Poison Hotline Information

Let’s face it.  Our homes are filled with items that can poison our dogs.  Food, medicines, cleaners, and various chemicals are likely lurking in cabinets, on shelves and perhaps even counters, all posing a very real danger to your dog.  Many items are common household products, such as laundry detergents, cleaners and disinfectants.  Even some plants can be toxic to your cherished companion.   “In 2009, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, IL, handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic substances, many of which included everyday household products” ⁽¹⁾.  In fact the top 10 poisons for 2009, according to the ASPCA are below.  The number of calls received in 2009, for each category is listed as well ⁽²⁾ :

1. Human medications (both prescription & over-the-counter) – 45,816 calls
2. Insecticides – 29,020 calls
3. People food  (click here for a list of toxic foods) –  17,453 calls
4. Plants – 7,858 calls
5. Veterinary medications (improperly used or dispensed) – 7,680 calls
6. Rodenticides – 6,639 calls
7. Household cleaners – 4,143 calls
8. Heavy metals (lead, zinc, mercury) – 3,304 calls
9. Garden products (fertilizers, etc.) – 2,329 calls
10. Chemical hazards (antifreeze, paint thinner, pool cleaners, etc.) – 2,175 calls

PET POISON HOTLINE NUMBERS

1. 888-426-4435 – ASPCA.  The most well-known and respected national animal poison control hotline.  Available 24 hours/day, 365 days/year. According to their website, “A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card” (http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/)

1. 800-213-6680 – Pet Poison Hotline.  According to their website, they are offer 24-hour service.  There is a $35 per incident fee, charged to your credit card.  The fee covers the initial consultation and follow-up calls. They have handled over 750,000 cases. (http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/)

Note:

Pet Poison Hotline is a new service to me, so I did a quick whois search:

Registrant Info:  SafetyCall International, 10949 Bren Road East, Minnetonka, MN 55343

Website record was created in 2004.  (http://whois.domaintools.com/petpoisonhelpline.com)

~ OP Staff

References:

1. http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/top-10-pet-poisons-of-the-year.html
2. http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/top-10-pet-poisons-of-the-year.html

Note:  This article only serves as a guide and is based on research from various sources, both online and in print, including article(s) written by DVMs, dog trainers, groomers, and/or other qualified experts.  Please check with your DVM for any questions regarding the information provided in this article.  Thank you.

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