How to Approach the Poisoned Patient Right From the Start!
1.0 CE Credit Hour / Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT
Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT
Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, is the Director, Veterinary Medicine, Pet Poison Helpline and Senior Veterinary Toxicologist for Pet Poison Helpline/SafetyCall International. Dr. Schmid graduated from Kansas State University and is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Toxicology and American Board of Veterinary Toxicology. While at Pet Poison Helpline, Dr. Schmid has had the opportunity to manage thousands of cases involving animal poisonings. In addition, she has presented on various toxins and leadership at both state, regional and national conferences as well as national webinars. Dr. Schmid has published scientific book chapters on a variety of toxins and general poisoning therapies and numerous peer-reviewed scientific articles. Dr. Schmid also serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for dvm360 and is a peer reviewer for various veterinary medical journals.
Overview:
Effective management of the poisoned patient begins the moment they walk through the door. This session provides a practical framework for the initial assessment and stabilization of toxicology cases, emphasizing rapid risk evaluation based on the toxin, species, breed, and pre-existing conditions. Participants will review evidence-based treatment strategies, including essential antidotes and medications every practice should have on hand. The lecture will also cover follow-up protocols, staff safety measures, and communication tips to optimize patient outcomes and team preparedness in poisoning emergencies.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Recognize key clinical signs and red flags in patients presenting with an acute abdomen.
- Prioritize diagnostic tests and interventions based on patient stability and urgency.
- Assess abdominal pain and distension to differentiate between surgical and medical emergencies.
- Apply triage principles to stabilize critically ill patients efficiently.
- Develop a structured plan for ongoing management, monitoring, or referral.
This course is RACE-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits hours in jurisdictions that accept RACE-approval.
