01/13/2026
Please Read and share!
Happy New Year all! I’m mom to Maggie, seen here curling up after a New Year’s near-disaster I’m mentioning in the hope it will prevent any of you going through it:
Last Sunday afternoon I heard her vomit loudly and found a huge, gritty dark mound on the floor. Only because of a shred of fabric lying nearby was I able to figure out what she’d eaten: a Hot Hands hand-warmer packet, full of (among other things) iron powder, which can be lethal. I got her to an animal hospital within minutes while on hold with the Pet Poison Hotline, and after much induced vomiting, an overnight stay involving IVs, and close care, I got her back — shaky and still on a bland diet & meds, but well on her way to being her happy wonderful self. Two things:
1. Even if you’re careful with winter gear in the house, if your family uses these please make sure they’re stored out of growing puppy's reach, completely disposed of after use, and none are lying around that might’ve been knocked to the floor — that’s what happened to us. These are tiny and easily missed, and if this had happened overnight, Maggie likely would not have made it.
2. I’m carrying these numbers with me: 888-426-4435 (ASPCA 24/7 Poison Control Hotline) and 855-764-7661 (The Pet Poison Helpline). Yes, they charge a fee, but they do a thorough analysis of what’s been ingested and how much, and work with the animal ER techs to find the best course of action. Busy animal ERs don’t have poison experts on staff, and they’ll direct you to these first anyway so they can all work together.
Happy and Safe New Year from a grateful owner…
