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If you witnessed or strongly suspect your pet ingested products that contain metaldehyde (such as snail or slug bait), this is considered an \u201cORANGE\u201d \u2013 or urgent case \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage system. We recommend calling ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 for help determining if your pet consumed a toxic amount and for guidance on what to do next. If veterinary care is advised, call your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital ahead of your arrival. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Note that if your pet is experiencing active seizures\/cluster seizures, suddenly collapses, or is experiencing respiratory distress, these are considered \u201cRED\u201d \u2013 or true emergencies \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage system. We advise you to seek immediate veterinary care. Please call ahead of your arrival so the veterinary team knows to expect you! <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n With spring <\/span>comes<\/span> <\/span>gardening<\/span><\/span><\/a> season. In certain areas, snails and slugs are very annoying garden pests. One of the most common ways to prevent and treat infestations is with snail and slug bait. But if your pet has access to your garden, it\u2019s important to take extra caution before using any <\/span>pesticide<\/span>s<\/span>!<\/span> From early symptoms to treatment options, here\u2019s what pet parents need to know about snail and slug bait toxicity in pets!\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The toxic ingredient in snail and slug baits is metaldehyde, an organic chemical compound. Baits<\/span> are generally formulated as pellets, liquids, powders, or pastes. To attract snails and slugs, the pellets are <\/span>flavored<\/span> with molasses \u2013 which can also be <\/span>very <\/span>tempting to dogs! In the United States, the pellets generally contain 2% o<\/span>r<\/span> 5% of metaldehyde. <\/span>Also, note that some camp stove and lamp fuels, particularly products from Europe where they use metaldehyde blocks, may contain 90% metaldehyde \u2013 making them extremely toxic<\/span>!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Once <\/span>the bait is <\/span>eaten, the <\/span>metaldehyde<\/span> is absorbed through the GI tract. <\/span>The exact mechanism of action is unknown, but<\/span> it\u2019s speculated to affect GABA receptors in the brain, lowering the nervous system\u2019s threshold for seizure.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Typically, symptoms of metaldehyde toxicity begin within 30 minutes to a few hours after the bait is eaten. However, there are some reports of symptoms appearing as late as 24 hours post-exposure.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Most pet parents notice tremors first. Muscle tremors can become very severe and begin to increase body temperature \u2013 potentially causing significant overheating (hyperthermia). Pets may become mentally depressed and experience <\/span>seizures<\/span><\/a>. These symptoms could progress to coma and death.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to tremors, other common early symptoms include:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If your pet experiences muscle tremors or you know with certainty your pet was exposed to snail or slug bait, seek immediate veterinary care from your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital. <\/span>On your way to the vet, y<\/span>ou can <\/span>call a<\/span> pet poison helpline such as<\/span> <\/span>ASPCA <\/span>Animal <\/span>Poison Control<\/span><\/span><\/a> for help <\/span>determining<\/span> if your pet ate a toxic amount, as well as advice on how you can help your pet during transport<\/span>. <\/span>Your<\/span> veterinary team can<\/span> use that case<\/span> number to consult with the pet poison helpline\u2019s board-certified toxicologists.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are no tests that are accessible in the animal ER to specifically confirm metaldehyde poisoning. Metaldehyde tests can be run on stomach contents, urine tissue, or liver tissue, but results can take days to receive, and treatment cannot be delayed! Depending on your pet\u2019s condition, treatment options may include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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<\/p>\nMetaldehyde<\/span> Toxicity<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\nHow Poisoning<\/span> Occurs<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Symptoms<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
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<\/h4>\nTreatment<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
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