What Happens When a Pet Owner Calls the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline?
When calling, pet owners are first asked to provide basic information such as the pet’s species, breed, age, sex, and weight. Callers are then asked to provide information on the actual exposure incident, including what toxins or products were involved and method of exposure. The experts will also discuss the pet’s symptoms and how much time has elapsed since the exposure to the toxin, and based on this information, an action plan is developed. Recommendations can range from closely monitoring the pet at home, to inducing vomiting, to rushing the poisoned pet to an emergency clinic for more comprehensive care. In many cases, a pet owner receives some welcome news: the substance their pet came in contact with is not toxic. Pet owners are also urged call back with follow-up questions on a case – it’s all included in the $60 consulting fee, which helps defray the costs of running the hotline and other services offered by the humane organization, which receives no state or federal funding.
