Podcast challenges common misconceptions about toxic ingestions

A new dvm360 Vet Blast podcast episode, published March 3, 2026, puts a spotlight on a familiar clinical problem: toxic ingestions are often managed with too many assumptions and too little nuance. In the episode, Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, senior veterinary toxicologist and director of veterinary medicine at Pet Poison Helpline, challenges several common misconceptions, including the idea that every toxic ingestion needs hospitalization or immediate lab work. Her core message is to “treat the patient, not the toxin,” with decisions guided by exposure details, timing, expected toxidrome, clinical signs, and the pet parent’s practical constraints. (dvm360.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary teams, the discussion reinforces a spectrum-of-care approach in toxicology, where outpatient management, targeted diagnostics, and home-administered medications may be appropriate in selected cases. Schmid notes that some exposures, such as amphetamines, may not produce lab abnormalities that change management, while early testing after anticoagulant rodenticide exposure can add cost and stress before abnormalities would be expected. The timing is also notable: March is Pet Poison Prevention Month, and toxicology caseloads remain substantial. ASPCA Animal Poison Control recently reported that veterinary products accounted for 9.1% of its 2025 exposure cases, while Pet Poison Helpline’s 2025 list showed continued demand around chocolate, grapes and raisins, rodenticides, ibuprofen, vitamin D3, THC, and acetaminophen exposures. (dvm360.com)

What to watch: Expect more emphasis on triage protocols, client education, and seasonally targeted poison-prevention messaging as practices move through Pet Poison Prevention Month and spring exposure risks. (aaha.org)