Animal poison line is one year old today
Nicola Robinson.
Nicola Robinson, the vet who heads up the Veterinary Poisons Information Service presented an update at BSAVA Congress on the Animal Poison Line; which was launched a year ago as a poisoning triage line service for pet owners.
Owners who are concerned that their animal has been poisoned (or who have been referred by their vet) can call 01202 509000 to access the 24-hour service. Users are charged £30, including VAT, and are required to pay upfront using their credit card.
During the first year, nearly 1,300 calls were received – of which 90 per cent were referred directly from veterinary practices.
Nine out of 10 calls related to poisoning in dogs – the largest number of calls being about human medication that had been ingested accidentally. Other common items included grapes, chocolate, rodent poisons and household products. There are occasional calls too to confirm that the advice pet owners had received from a veterinary practice was appropriate.
Interestingly, a significant number of calls directly from veterinary practices are about human anti-inflammatory medicines, notably ibuprofen.
Over the whole year, three out of the four pet owners who used the Animal Poison Line did not to have to visit their vet's practice. "They are often highly stressed when they first call, but invariably greatly relieved once they have received the advice," said Nicola.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
