Melissa
Kaplan's
Herp Care Collection
Last updated
January 1, 2014
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC)
©1994 Melissa Kaplan
ASPCA
ANIMAL POISON CONTROL CENTER
College of Veterinary
Medicine
University of Illinois
888-426-4435
The effects of ingesting toxic plants and chemicals (cleaning solutions, drugs, cigarettes, etc.) will vary based on the size of the animal, what it or how much it ate and drank previous to the ingestion, its metabolic rate, relative hydration and nutritional status, and general health.
Watch for any changes in color (skin and in mouth) and respiration, excessive salivation or dryness, diarrhea, heaving, vomiting, extreme restlessness or lethargy. Do not try to induce vomiting or ingestion without first consulting a veterinarian or poison control center.
Have the number and address of emergency veterinarians who treat your type of animal (reptiles, camelids, ratites, etc.) handy at all times. Regularly weigh and measure your animal (length, height, weight [stl and svl in reptiles as applicable]) and keep this information accessible to have on hand for emergency phone calls.
Remember: Reptiles are still new to many vets, and documentation of poisonings is not nearly as widespread or inclusive for these animals as it is for common pet species. The best way to make sure you never have to use either of these phone numbers is to keep toxic substances, including houseplants, shut away from your pets.
What
makes the ASPCA APCC different from other poison control centers?
The professional veterinary staff of the ASPCA APCC are familiar with how different
species respond to poisons and how to properly manage these poisonings. At their
fingertips, they have a wide range of information specific to animal poisoning.
They also have an extensive collection of individual cases- more than 600,000-
involving pesticide, drug, plant, metal, and other exposures in food-producing
and companion animals. This specialized information lets the experienced ASPCA
APCC staff make specific diagnostic and treatment recommendations.
There may be a consultation fee, billed to your credit card, for the APCC services. To learn more about the ASPCA APCC and its services, visit their website.
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