Tell your vet that you called us and were advised to contact the vet. If they require detailed treatment advice about the particular substance your pet has been exposed to, they can call our professional service, the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS). Approximately 80% vets are members of the VPIS and use it regularly for specialist advice on the management of poisoning in animals. Please be aware that if your pet does require veterinary attention, your vet may charge a fee for calling VPIS. If this is the case, we will in turn refund you for your call made to the Animal PoisonLine.
Our aim is to make sure that every animal at risk of poisoning receives the most appropriate treatment. We will therefore advise you if an immediate trip to the vet is required, even in the absence of obvious signs. Equally, we will be able to save you a trip to the vet if it is not necessary. Not every animal exposed to the substances listed above will need to be seen by a vet. We can also advise on possible signs you can expect, if any.
We have been providing support to vets with poisoning cases for over 40 years via our professional service, the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), which is the only animal poison service in the UK. We have over 400,000 past cases to which we can refer. Our team is a combination of vets, veterinary nurses, toxicologists and scientists.
Whenever your pet has had access to anything you are concerned about and you would like advice what to do next. It could be something they have eaten, inhaled, is on their skin or splashed in the eye. This includes human medicines, overdose or incorrect administration of veterinary medicines, household or DIY products, fuels, garden products, plants and venomous bites.