Toxicology expert urges case-by-case approach to pet ingestions

dvm360’s Vet Blast Podcast used Pet Poison Prevention Month to tackle a persistent clinical problem: misconceptions about toxic ingestions. In the March 3, 2026 episode, Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, director of veterinary medicine and senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline, argued that toxicology cases shouldn’t be managed with one-size-fits-all rules. In the excerpt published by dvm360, Schmid said not every exposure requires hospitalization, and not every case needs immediate laboratory work, stressing that clinicians should “treat the patient, not the toxin” and weigh the toxicant, dose, timing, clinical signs, and the pet parent’s circumstances before deciding on care. (dvm360.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the message is a practical one about spectrum-of-care decision-making. Schmid highlighted examples such as ibuprofen exposures with different risk profiles, stimulant ingestions where routine lab work may add little value, and anticoagulant rodenticide cases in which clotting profiles drawn too early may be unhelpful and add cost and stress. That aligns with broader poison-control guidance warning against home antidotes or inducing vomiting without toxicology input, and with recent AAHA education emphasizing earlier recognition, better triage, and stronger client education around predictable toxin risks. (dvm360.com)

What to watch: Expect more emphasis on poison-triage protocols, client education, and case-by-case toxicology management as clinics prepare for seasonal exposure spikes and ongoing cost-of-care conversations. (aaha.org)