Pet Poison Hotline Australia
If your pet has come in contact with a poison, there are a few simple first aid measures that can be carried out easily and relatively risk free at home. If performed correctly and in a timely fashion, they can have a significant impact on the risk and severity of poisoning. Skin exposure – If your pet has had skin exposure to a chemical, it is important to wash the skin and hair thoroughly with soap and water. Some chemicals will wash off easily, others such as corrosive alkalis require prolonged decontamination. Some chemicals may burn the skin and some can absorb through the skin into the bloodstream, resulting in systemic poisoning. Call the Animal Poisons Centre for more advice if your pet has skin contact with a poison. Eye exposure – Many chemicals can cause irritation to the eye, some can be corrosive and cause permanent injury. If your pet has a chemical eye exposure, it is best to try and irrigate the eye with normal saline or tap water for at least 15 minutes or for as...