Top 10 Toxins Affecting Dogs and Cats
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:
From chocolate to human medications, dogs and cats often encounter toxic substances in unexpected ways. This engaging and practical session will explore the ten most common toxins seen in small animal practice, including chocolate, xylitol, human NSAIDs, antidepressants, and other frequently encountered poisons. Participants will learn to recognize key clinical signs, understand mechanisms of toxicity, and apply evidence-based treatment protocols. The session will also highlight recent updates in toxicology, client communication strategies, and preventive guidance to reduce the risk of future exposures.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify the most common toxins affecting dogs and cats and describe their typical sources and routes of exposure.
- Recognize clinical signs and differentiate them based on the specific toxin and species affected.
- Explain the underlying mechanisms of toxicity for the top 10 toxins.
- Select appropriate diagnostic and treatment strategies for managing affected patients.
- Develop effective communication approaches to educate clients on prevention and early intervention.
This course is RACE-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits hours in jurisdictions that accept RACE-approval.
