Medication
ADHD Stimulant Medication (methylphenidate, amphetamines)
A critical emergency. Even small amounts relative to body weight can be fatal.
Life-threateningDogsCats
What to do right now
- 1.Phone an emergency vet or poison control service immediately
- 2.Take the packaging so the exact drug and dose can be identified
- 3.Keep the animal calm and away from stimulation while arranging transport
- 4.Do not try to make the animal vomit at home
Symptoms
- Extreme agitation and hyperactivity
- Dangerously high heart rate and blood pressure
- Very high body temperature
- Tremors and seizures
- Collapse
Details
- Category
- Medication
- Toxicity
- Life-threatening
- Species affected
- Dogs, Cats
- Routes of exposure
- Chewing through a blister pack or bottle left within reach
- Urgency
- A critical emergency. Even small amounts relative to body weight can be fatal.
Veterinary treatment
Stimulants cause a surge in sympathetic nervous system activity. Treatment involves sedation, aggressive cooling, cardiac monitoring and intravenous fluids.