Tox Tips

Toxins ingested in which inducing vomiting is NOT recommended under any circumstance:

• Hydrocarbons (gasoline, thin oils of any type)
• Corrosives (lye, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid)
• Essential Oils (including plug in oils and fragrance warming oils)
• Drugs known to cause early seizures (such as tricyclic antidepressant drugs)
• Any product containing hydrofluoric acid

Situations in which inducing emesis should never be attempted by a pet owner at home. In the following cases gastric lavage is recommended, under sedation, with airway protected by cuffed endo-tracheal tube.

• Brachycephalic breeds with airway disorders (i.e. Pugs with elongated soft palate or stenotic nares)
• CNS depressants or stimulants if symptoms are already present
• Presence of seizures, or patients with severe underlying seizure disorders
• Presence of hypoxia, cyanosis, or coma
• Normal gag reflex is not present
• Camphor containing substances

Keep in mind that certain species are not physiologically capable of vomiting (such as horses, goats, ruminants, chinchillas, rabbits, rats, and many other small rodents.)