[CorkyMax]

SIGNS of poisoning for a pet include: drooling, panting, gasping, vomiting, diarrhea, burns on the mouth, lack of coordination, bleeding, convulsions, and coma.

If you can identify what poison product your pet has consumed, read the label on the container for a possible antidote!

Dogs and cats love eating the poison pellets that kill snails. Keep them out of reach!

Never let a pet drink from a toilet that has a cleaner or freshener in the tank or bowl. The chemicals in toilet cleaners and fresheners are toxic for dogs and cats. Either stop using the poisons or keep the seat down to prevent pets from using the toilet as a water bowl!

Antifreeze--dogs and cats find it irresistible. It can be deadly even in very small amounts! Keep your pet away from any puddles under or near cars, and store antifreeze in a sturdy, tightly sealed container. (A comment here: I think antifreeze is using safer ingredients now but you would have to be sure what the pet consumed was the safe kind---If you don't know--PLEASE be safe than sorry and take no chances or you will have a dead pet if the poisonous kind---It will kill your pet if not treated at once---and even then it can be too late.) Very deadly stuff!!

Store harmful cleaning products in a safe, secure location that your pets can't reach or get into.

Please! Before taking your poisoned pet to your vet, collect a sample of your pet's vomit in a ziplock storage bag (or freezer bag), along with any item your pet may have chewed and the product's container.

Use a blanket as a stretcher for your pet. Place your dog or cat in the center of the blanket, and have 2 people each lift 2 corners of the blanket to carry the pet.

Some good info in an emergency---to do before you can get to the vet!!

If your dog swallowed an alkaline toxin such as drain cleaner, don't induce vomiting (or else the poison will burn a 2nd time coming back up)! Instead, fill a turkey baster or bulb syringe with 3 Tbsp. white vinegar and 3 Tbsp. of water. You can also use 3 Tbsp. ReaLemon and 3 Tbsp. of water instead of the vinegar and water too. Squirt the solution toward the back of his mouth. The acetic acid will neutralize the alkaline in his stomach, reducing the burn. THEN TAKE YOUR DOG TO A VET FOR TREATMENT!!!

If your dog or cat swallows pills, antifreeze, or toxic substances (except for caustic substances) and you can't get professional help immediately, fill a turkey baster or bulb syringe with 1 Tbsp. hydrogen peroxide for every 10 lbs. your pet weighs, tip his head back, and squirt the liquid towards the back of his mouth. Within 5 mins, he should vomit. If it doesn't vomit, wait 10 mins. and repeat a 2nd time. DO NOT TRY A 3rd TIME---Too much hydrogen peroxide can be dangerous!!) THEN TAKE YOUR PET TO A VET FOR TREATMENT!!!

If your dog or cat swallowed a noncorrosive poison and you need to induce vomiting--dissolve 1 teaspoon plain (not iodized!) salt in warm water. Prob. best not to use the water from your hot water heater--chemicals if you have soft water. If no soft water chemicals and just plain unadulterated water in your hot water heater--then it is okay! And hey don't use any more water than is necessary to dissolve the salt. You have to give it all--water included!--and prob.best not to weaken the salt dosage by too much water. Fill a turkey baster or bulb syringe with the salt water, tip your pet's head back, and squirt toward the back of the mouth. Within 5 mins, the salt should make your pet vomit. THEN TAKE YOUR PET TO A VET FOR TREATMENT!!!

If your dog or cat devoured an acidic substance by drinking bleach or chewing a battery, give your pet 1 teaspoon of Phillips' Milk of Magnesia for every 5 lbs. your pet weighs. This will counteract the acid. THEN TAKE YOUR PET TO A VET FOR TREATMENT!!!

If your dog or cat has eaten a corrosive poison (containing acids, alkalis, or petroleum distillates) and ISN'T showing signs of wooziness, give your pet milk to dilute the poison and relieve any irritation by coating his stomach, esophagus, and mouth. If you don't have any fresh milk, mix 3 oz. nonfat dry milk and 8 oz. water, and get your pet to drink it. THEN TAKE YOUR PET TO THE VET FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION!!!