Ferret owners, please note the following information in case you ever have
to deal with one of your pets suffering from poisoning.
 
The current rate for the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control is a flat $45
(not $35) charged to a credit card if you call 800-548-2423 or $45 to be
charged directly to you phone bill if you call 900-680-0000.  (I just
checked with them minutes ago.)  (The rates have gone up; in 1997 it was
$35 to call the 800#, and The 900# used to be $20 for the first 5 minutes
and $2.95 thereafter, it was changed because people didn't like it, now
it's all flat rate billing.)
 
HOWEVER:
If, when you call you KNOW what the animal was poisoned with, they can tell
you whether you will have to pay or not-with some chemicals, (including
some herbicides and household cleaners) the *manufacturer* pays the fee
and they can tell you that up front, so have the container handy.  If the
poison is unknown you will almost certainly be charged.
 
If you are unhappy with the service, tell them and you won't get charged.
 
That information should be handy to all rehabbers/pet owners-print it out
and keep it with the first aid info.
 
Why so much $?  Why not call a regular vet?  Well, the center is staffed
24 x 7 with veterinary toxicologists-that is what they specialize in.  They
have been doing this (the center) for 20 years-lots of accumulated info.
and experience You will probably get better, more current and faster info
than you would from a vet who deals with poisoning only occaisionally.
Recommended treatments change-so do chemical formulations of various
products.  In cases of unknown poisons they may be able to help figure out
what the symptoms match up with.
 
-Ilena Ayala
[Posted in FML issue 2729]