Anyone with a pet should know about the Pet Poison Helpline.
It's every pet parent's worst nightmare: you come home to find your best buddy getting sick and a tell-tale puddle of cleaning solution on the floor. If your first instinct is to bundle him up and rush to your local vet, think again.
Did you know that there is an international network of toxicology experts available for pet parents and veterinarians 24 hours a day? The next time your 4-legged friend gets into something suspicious, try giving the National Pet Poison Control Helpline a call. It's what your vet would do anyway, so you can save yourself a ton of waiting room time and aggravation by calling this national hotline.
1. The phone number is (855) 764-7661.
This toll-free number can be used 24/7, 365 days a year from the United States, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean. It is manned by professional staff members who will take down the pertinent details of your pet's incident and convey this information to a certified veterinary toxicologist.
2. The fee is $75 per incident.
Once you initiate a case with the helpline, they will take a $75 fee over the phone. This will cover all phone calls regarding the case number issued, even if you are following up with additional questions after the intake session. Remember, this isn't a one-time call, but a specific incident that is covered by this fee.
3. Veterinarians all over the country use this helpline.
Think about it: there's no way every single veterinary center could have a qualified toxicologist on call without this helpline. This is the result of an international initiative to link qualified specialists to any veterinarians that need them in real-time. If you were to rush your pet to the vet, unless they had their own toxicologist on-site, this call would be their first step after a physical examination.
4. You'll need to have detailed information before you call.
Before you make the call to the hotline, take a breath and write down:
- Your pet's age, breed, and weight
- The commercial name and approximate quantity of the substance your pet ingested. For example, not just "boxed cake mix" but the brand, flavor, package volume, etc. Also make a note of any packaging that is missing as well, particularly plastic bags or bottles.
- The approximate date and time of the incident
- A list of any symptoms your pet is exhibiting: vomit, drooling, panting, etc.
5. The helpline will advise you on what to do next.
Not every poisoning episode requires a trip to the vet. After the veterinary toxicologist is consulted, the staff member will get back to you about the next steps. This can range from observing your pet at home to rushing the pet to the vet immediately. The best part about this service is that they will convey all of the information from the intake session directly to your vet, along with a detailed medical plan. You can just focus on getting to the vet safely at this point.
For more information about the National Animal Poison Control Center, visit their official website. It's a great resource for pet care tips and it's best to know about it before you need them.
