Sebastian May have eaten Poison!

[mocha200]

 

Do you know those annoying little packages that come in stuff that say ” poison do not eat”? Well I bought a Timothy Bungalow for Sebastian and I saw that in there but a week later when I put it in his cage I forgot about it! I didn’t notice it until today when I saw little crystal like beads all over the top level of hes condo and some were cracked open like he had chewed them!!! I doubt he ate much by how many were left but I am still worried! I know the only thing to do now is to wait and watch him, but I can’t stop worrying!

If you don’t know what I mean by ” little annoying packages” here is a picture I took of it and what the beads look like.

 

[Sarita]

You need to call the vet – I would not wait and watch for this but go ahead and take some action.

[LBJ10]

Is there any information about the type?

Silica gel is non-toxic, non-flammable, and non-reactive and stable with ordinary usage. It will react with hydrogen fluoride, fluorine, oxygen difluoride, chlorine trifluoride, strong acids, strong bases, and oxidizers.[7] Silica gel is irritating to the respiratory tract and may cause irritation of the digestive tract, and dust from the beads may cause irritation to the skin and eyes, so precautions should be taken.[8] Some of the beads may be doped with a moisture indicator, such as cobalt(II) chloride, which is toxic and may be carcinogenic. Cobalt (II) chloride is deep blue when dry (anhydrous) and pink when moist (hydrated).

Crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis but synthetic amorphous silica gel is non-friable, and so does not cause silicosis.

Is there a animal emergency hotline you can call? They might be able to give you information. And yes, take him to the vet.

[jerseygirl]

Put a call in to your vet or another if yours is not available. I bet they’ve dealt with pets eating these before so they can give best advice. Those packets are mostly silica gel (like you get in shoe boxes). Not exactly toxic but the moisture absorbing factor could be a concern in the gut. Call the vet to find out for certain and ease your mind.
{{{Sebastian}}}

[mocha200]

My mom said I can’t. She wont let me call them even!

[mocha200]

she let me call them because she knew i wouldn’t be able to concentrate on my school other wise. The vet said sense they are non toxic she doesn’t think it will hurt him but sense they absorb fluid to make sure he drinks a lot of water. She also said I could call animal poison control for more information, but I have no idea where i would call.

[Stickerbunny]

A call is free, why wouldn’t she let you at least call? It causes upset stomachs in humans – in an animal that is small it often causes intestinal obstructions. Sebastian is a foster isn’t he? Would the shelter be willing to help?

Edit: http://www.aspca.org/about-us/animal-poison-control-center.aspx

[LBJ10]

Look in the phone book. It’s usually listed as an animal emergency hotline. They have poison information. I remember calling one time after my dog ate some almonds because I was worried they were poisonous. Turns out it is only raw almonds, not roasted ones.

[mocha200]

hmm… Do you think I need to call?

[RabbitPam]

Yes.

[mocha200]

There is nowhere you can call for free!

[Jaguara]

Silica Gel

Are silica gel desiccant packages toxic to pets?
– Cheryl S.

Cheryl, silica gel is used to absorb moisture in many different products, and is usually packaged in plastic cylinders or paper packets. You’ve probably seen those little packets that say “DESSICANT—DO NOT EAT!” in medications, leather goods, vitamins and even some pasta products. Silica gel is also used in certain cat litters to absorb moisture.

While it is indeed true that it is not meant for consumption, silica gel usually produces only mild stomach upset, which typically resolves with minimal to no treatment. If very large quantities are eaten, however, such as with ingestions of multiple packets or mouthfuls of kitty litter, intestinal obstruction is possible—especially in very small animals.

http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/ask-the-expert/ask-the-expert-poison-control/silica-gel.aspx

found that off the ASPCA animal poison control website, I hope it helps settle your nerves Mocha.

[Monkeybun]

As you are fostering this bun for a rescue, it is your mom’s responsibility as the adult to do what needs to be done for this bunny. Call the rescue, see what their policies are on it. It may end up beign that you can’t foster anymore if your mom can’t/won’t provide what the bunnies need.

[Beka27]

I have to agree with Monkeybun. If she doesn’t want to contact the vet or poison control because he isn’t “your” bun, I am concerned for his safety and he should go back to the rescue right away so they can care for him.

[LBJ10]

I’m surprised that an emergency hotline would charge you to speak to someone. The one where I live is free and they will give you info if they have it in their database.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Well could you post the number LBJ10-since it’s phone she could call

I agree-we looked up the silica gel as Mikey ate a pouch. Ditto-it’s not poisonous, it’s not meant for consumption but it’s likely not a catastrophe-well as far as dogs are concerned in a small quantity as was the vet advice we received when we went through this ages ago.

@ Mocha-Call the rescue-they should be paying any vet bills and that would include a call to poison control if you need to call. They could even pick him up and take him to a vet if they are concerned. Bottom line it’s not your bunny so not your call-realistically. So you should do your best to notify and let them dictate -and pay for-care if needed.

[jerseygirl]

Posted By mocha200 on 09/07/2011 10:29 AM
she let me call them because she knew i wouldn’t be able to concentrate on my school other wise. The vet said sense they are non toxic she doesn’t think it will hurt him but sense they absorb fluid to make sure he drinks a lot of water. She also said I could call animal poison control for more information, but I have no idea where i would call.

From this post I’m assuming mocha200 did call her vet who sees her rabbits. I’m hoping he’s doing ok Mocha and your vet was right in the advice.  Continued {{{vibes}}} for the little guy.

Thought I’d add (for anyone), there is some info in the thread “First Aide for Rabbits” pinned at top of Q&A forum. It includes Animal Poison Control Center number in one of the links. That should also be easy to find in the phone book or an online search. Some info is not rabbit specific so a call to your vet is probably the best bet first. 

 Personally, I’m going to get some ink for my printer and print out all the info from the 1st aide thread, and put it with supplies. Currently I have things in various places but it would be so much better to have a “go-to” kit. Something I’ve been meaning to do but have been slacking about!

[mocha200]

Just wanted to make something clear. The rescue is a foster based rescue. They do not have a “building” so they need fosters. I got Sebastian from a camp and my mother said I could keep him outside until I find him a home, If i didn’t take him he would have been killed. I contacted a shelter and they said that they would be happy to have him but they need some time to find him a good foster home. One of the bunnies at there rescue had babies and they were old enough to be separated from there mother and they needed 6 more foster parents. So we HAVE to take care on him right now because other wise he wont have a home. He is getting neutered this month and they hope to have a foster home by then. If it were my choice, he would be inside and i would call the vet when ever I need to, but I live under my parents still and I have to respect there rules. I know this might make you guys upset to read about this situation, but I needed to make it clear that it upsets me too.

[jerseygirl]

Hi Hon, you’ve been a BB member here a long time and most us ‘regulars’ know you abide by and are respectful of your parents. I hope you didn’t take anyones advice the wrong way. We care about you and your bunnies.

About young rabbits, they keep you on your toes don’t they? I’m noticing this with Timbu and Jelly. They do things I’d forgotten Jersey used to get up to when younger. It’s like a refresher course having young ones in your care.

[mocha200]

Thanks Jerseygirl. He sure do keep me on my toes! he has escaped from his pen twice today! Now he isn’t allowed in that pen any more. I think he will have to have an area in the house from now on were he can run around.

[jerseygirl]

Oh, Tim did this (he climbed!) and I’ve found Jelly twice now on the outside of his pen. I thought he was teleporting! I couldn’t figure it out. I’ve now watched him the last 2 mornings in a row get up onto the shelf I thought he couldn’t get on. I wasn’t even sure he could see it.  I was planning on building him a ramp but it looks like he doesn’t need it after all. They bring “rabbit proofing” to a whole new level. :p

[LittlePuffyTail]

How is Sebastien?

[mocha200]

He is good!

[Beka27]

Thank goodness!

And I apologize, my post last night was not meant as an attack on you, I was just very concerned. Re-reading it today, it sounds more abrasive than I wanted it too. You do a fantastic job with your bunnies and as you know, you’ve got to be so, so careful and have the resources available to get help as needed. You would do that for your buns and Sebastian needs that too. :o)

[mocha200]

Its ok Beka I would do anything for my buns and Sebastian. Sebastian is starting to feel like of my own. ( Don’t worry, I wont get to attached)

Sebastian is doing great today, He is eating and drinking and was letting me pet him. Today I am going to set up a play area for him down stares in my living room if my mom lets me. He LOVES to run around. I hope he gets a home were he can be free range! I think he would be miserable other wise!

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m glad to hear he’s okay.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Oh I hope you didn’t take my advice badly I definitely didn’t mean it that way; to clarify many rescues are foster based and they pay for food/litter/vet so generally that wouldn’t be on your bill let alone something you needed to worry about. Sounds like maybe the rescue that is helping this bun is newer or just operates that way? At any rate sounds like it’s up to you for vet?
No matter I’m sooo sure you’d see adverse affects by now; and as I thought (since as I said Mikey ate one of those packs…sigh) everything is fine; they aren’t poison, not good, but not awful . I’m SOOO glad to hear all is well.
Please excuse me for assuming how the rescue is operating; iti’s commonplace here for rescues to operate that way (ALL but one are foster based and cover costs, the other is a shelter with a facility) so that’s all I know; I hope I didn’t offend-not my intention.

[mocha200]

The rescue will pay for a vet visit if the bunny is sick. In this case I called my vet and they said there was nothing to worry about and they didn’t need to see him. If the vet would have said they thought that could be dangerous then I would have taken him in. Sorry for the confusion

[Beka27]

I’m glad this was brought up because it’s an important thing for people to have CLEAR when starting a foster relationship… who pays for what… or if the rescue has one specific vet they want you to use, which may differ from who your take your buns to. You don’t want to wait until a situation arises to figure out the rescue’s policies on this. Good learning example for all!

[mocha200]

Yeah, Thats why I asked them about that right away when I got him.

[Author]

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