Toxicologic Emergencies

Toxicological emergencies are a common part of veterinary practice. Both dogs and cats have an amazing ability to ingest all sorts of foreign substances. Some of these substances can cause life-threatening problems while some just cause minor problems. In many situations the amount of the toxin ingested will dictate how serious the problem is. Often veterinarians work on assumptions since it is not uncommon that the actual identity of the toxin is never known. Thorough history taking and physical examinations are key in order to avoid missing a diagnosis of a toxin that requires a specific antidote. Aggressive supportive care is indicated for all those patients who ingested an unknown toxin to avoid morbidity and mortality. […]