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5495 North Federal Blvd.
Denver, CO 80221
303.455.2131
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1075 Aviation Dr
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
928-505-2131
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Poisoning - Hydrogen Peroxide
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Did You Know… 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, the same solution used for the cleansing of cuts and scrapes that can be found at
your local drugstore, is the safest way to induce vomiting in your pet at home?
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Hydrogen Peroxide
Of course, pet owners should only induce vomiting when directed to do so by a veterinarian, but should your vet
consider it necessary, 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can be given at home as a first aid step to help remove potentially harmful substances
from your pet’s stomach. Other home “remedies” such as salt, mustard, or ipecac are not reliable means of getting pets to vomit, and could
actually result in potentially serious complications such as sodium poisoning or cardiac arrhythmias.
Generally, H2O2 is very effective, producing vomiting in about 10 15 minutes after dosing; once it has “fizzed”, it
breaks down into water and oxygen and is quite harmless. The typical dose for inducing vomiting is about 1 ml per pound of body weight,
not to exceed 45 ml or 3 tablespoons. It is advisable to offer your pet a small amount of moist pet food or a slice of bread with milk
before giving H2O2, as having food in the stomach can make vomiting a little easier. It is important to never force H2O2 or any other
liquid into your pet’s mouth, because he or she may accidentally inhale it, which could lead to pneumonia. Vomiting should also not be
induced in animals exhibiting tremors or other neurologic signs, or with ingestions of certain substances such as caustic chemicals, oils
or other items that could damage the gastrointestinal tract or become inhaled.
If you suspect that your pet may have ingested a potentially harmful product or substance, contact your local
veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435) for immediate assistance.
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