Pet Poisoning Treatment

With a possible poisoning, minutes and the product label matter more than how your pet looks right now. Petfolk Johns Creek, at Medley in Johns Creek Town Center, treats suspected poisonings during clinic hours, and some cases belong at a 24-hour emergency hospital from the start.

Call before you drive. During clinic hours, call our Johns Creek clinic at (470) 964-6691.

Call (470) 964-6691 or book online. Open 8am–6pm, seven days a week.

When to go to a 24-hour emergency hospital

Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital now if your pet is having seizures, tremors, or trouble breathing; has collapsed; is bleeding from the gums or nose or has blood in vomit or stool; or if a cat was exposed to any part of a lily, including pollen or vase water. Also go if your pet ate xylitol, grapes or raisins, antifreeze, rodent bait, or a human medication, especially outside clinic hours.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435. Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661. Both charge a consultation fee.

Petfolk Johns Creek is open 8am to 6pm, seven days a week. We don't provide overnight care, so anything that can't wait until morning belongs at a 24-hour emergency hospital.

The First Five Minutes

1. Move your pet away from the substance and remove any that's left.

2. Find the package, bottle, or plant. The active ingredient and strength decide the treatment.

3. Estimate how much and when. A rough count of missing pills or the size of a chewed bag helps.

4. Call a vet or poison control. ASPCA Animal Poison Control is staffed 24 hours a day, and the case number it gives you lets any vet follow the same plan.

5. Don't induce vomiting at home unless a vet tells you to. Caustic cleaners, petroleum products, and sharp objects can do more damage coming back up, and a pet that's drowsy or seizing can inhale vomit.

Common Toxins in Homes and Yards

• Human medications: pain relievers, antidepressants, ADHD medications, sleep aids. Acetaminophen is especially dangerous for cats.

• Foods: xylitol (sugar-free gum, candy, some peanut butters), grapes and raisins, chocolate, onions and garlic, macadamia nuts.

• Yard and garage: antifreeze, rodent bait, slug and snail bait, fertilizers, cocoa bean mulch.

• Plants: lilies for cats, sago palm, azalea, oleander, and spring bulbs.

• Pet products used wrong: dog flea products on a cat, or a large-dog dose given to a small dog.

Some poisons have a delay. Anticoagulant rodent bait can take several days to cause bleeding, so a pet who seems fine after eating it still needs care now.

Signs to Watch For

Signs depend on the toxin and can be subtle at first:

• Drooling, lip-licking, or pawing at the mouth

• Vomiting or diarrhea, sometimes with blood

• Wobbling, tremors, or seizures

• Fast breathing, or pale or bright red gums

• Sudden exhaustion, or drinking and urinating much more than usual

Cats often show only a little drooling or a skipped meal. Don't wait for signs if you know an exposure happened.

What Happens at a Poisoning Visit

1. A quick triage check: gums, heart rate, breathing, temperature, and alertness.

2. A review of the product label or plant, and any poison-control case number you have.

3. Lab work when the toxin can affect the liver, kidneys, or blood clotting; imaging if something may be stuck.

4. Treatment based on what was eaten and when, or a transfer to an emergency hospital if your pet needs hours of monitoring or overnight care.

Our Gentle Handling team keeps the handling slow and quiet even when time matters, because a frightened, nauseated pet gives a harder exam. You'll get an estimate before treatment and written instructions on what to watch for at home.

“I was so worried about him and they were so sweet. They even handled him great when he terrorized them.”

— Daphne J., Petfolk client

When It May Not Need a Visit

Not every swallowed item is a poisoning. A dog who ate a small amount of plain bread, a bite of cat food, or a piece of grass usually just needs watching. If you're not sure whether something is toxic, call poison control or the clinic before deciding. Guessing is the risky part.

What Poisoning Care Costs Depends On

• Time since exposure. Early cases often need less treatment than late ones.

• The toxin, and whether it has a specific antidote or needs supportive care

• Lab work, and any recheck labs days later

• Fluids and monitoring time

• A poison-control consultation fee, if you call one

You'll get an estimate before treatment starts. PetfolkCare members get exams covered up to $99 per visit and 10% off lab work and X-rays.

Call First, Bring the Label

If something just happened during clinic hours, call Petfolk Johns Creek at (470) 964-6691. Outside clinic hours, call poison control or go to a 24-hour emergency hospital.