prompter: My 90 pound 12 year old dog ate a little bit of rat poison by accident, and I don't know what to do. I can't afford an emergency vet visit. What are the next steps I should take? Please be as specific as possible in your response.

assistant: If your dog has ingested rat poison, it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible as this can be potentially life-threatening. If you can't afford an emergency vet visit, consider contacting a local animal shelter or humane society to see if they have a low-cost clinic or know of any resources in your area.

Do not induce vomiting or give anything to your dog without first consulting a veterinarian, as this can sometimes do more harm than good. If you are unable to reach a vet, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for guidance.

prompter: I'm trying to reach my local vet, and I'll call the ASPCA number you provided next.  Can you provide me with contact information for other veterinary services near me?  Also, my dog hasn't seemed to show any adverse effects yet.  What symptoms should I be looking out for, and what can I do while I'm seeking help?

assistant: I'm sorry, but I'm unable to provide any location-specific veterinary services as I do not know your location. 

The symptoms to look out for depend on the active ingredient in the specific poison that has been ingested. Note that symptoms may not result until after permanent damage has been caused to your dog, so it's unwise to wait for them to appear.

The most common type of rat poisons are anticoagulants, which prevent the blood from clotting and cause internal bleeding. Signs can include: Weakness and lethargy, Vomiting or coughing blood, Nose bleeds, Bleeding from the gums, Bleeding when doing the toilet, Blood in stools, Bruising, Breathing difficulties (caused by bleeding into the lungs)

Another common type of poison, cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), can cause the following symptoms: lots of urination and water drinking, lethargy, decreased appetite, and halitosis (urine-smelling breath)

Bromethalin (often confused for an anti-coagulant due to having a similar name) is a neurotoxin can cause the following symptoms: poor or clumsy coordination (ataxia), tremors, seizures, and paralysis

Aluminium and zinc phosphides are more commonly found in mole or gopher baits, but may appear in rat and mouse baits as well. The phosphine gas produced by this poison can result in stomach bloating, vomiting, abdominal pain, shock, collapse, seizures, and liver damage.

While seeking help it is important to act quickly, but also to remain calm. The overwhelming majority of pet poisoning incidents result in recovery, so there's likely no need to concerned once your pet is in treatment.

assistant: I'm sorry to hear about your dog's situation. Time is of the essence in cases like these, and it's important to get your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible. If you cannot reach your local veterinarian, you can try reaching other veterinary clinics in your area.

Regarding symptoms to look out for, some common symptoms of rat poison ingestion include:

    Bleeding: Rat poison can cause internal bleeding, so look for signs of bruising or blood in urine or stool.

    Weakness or lethargy: Your dog may become weak and lethargic if they are suffering from internal bleeding.

    Loss of appetite: Rat poison can cause a loss of appetite, so if your dog stops eating or drinking, this could be a cause for concern.

    Vomiting or diarrhea: These symptoms can be a sign of toxicity, and may indicate that your dog needs immediate medical attention.

While seeking help, it's important to keep your dog as calm and quiet as possible, and to prevent them from further ingesting the rat poison or anything else that could be harmful. Do not induce vomiting unless advised to do so by a veterinarian.

In the meantime, you can try to contact your local animal control or animal rescue organizations to see if they have any resources available to help with the cost of veterinary care. If you are unable to reach a veterinarian or find financial resources, consider calling the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. They may be able to provide advice and guidance on what to do next.

assistant: In response to your first question, in order for me to provide contact information for local veterinary services, I would need more information about your location, such as your country or city.
In response to your second question, symptoms in a dog following the ingestion of rat poison may take hours or even days to develop, so it is important that you contact a veterinary service or poison control immediately even if your dog is not showing any symptoms. However, symptoms can depend on the type of rat poison ingested, and can include (but are not limited to):
  - Weakness / collapsing
  - Tremors / shaking
  - Loss of appetite
  - Impaired movement / paralysis
  - Vomiting
While you wait for help, make sure you have the the original packaging of the rat poison, and try to work out how much poison your dog may have ingested. This information will help your vet correctly diagnose and treat your dog.

prompter: Thank you for recommending these resources but we live on a very remote Vietnamese farm and the roads are currently impracticable since there is a massive thunderstorm raging outside. What's the next best course of action that you could recommend ?

assistant: If you are unable to reach a veterinarian and are unable to transport your dog, it is important to take the following steps:

Remove any remaining rat poison from your home and dispose of it properly to prevent further ingestion.

Monitor your dog's symptoms and keep a close eye on their breathing, pulse, and level of consciousness.

If your dog shows signs of severe bleeding, such as blood in the urine or stool, or if they become lethargic or unconscious, you may need to try and keep them warm and stable until you can get them to a veterinarian.

If your dog experiences seizures, difficulty breathing, or collapsing, try to get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

If your dog ingests a large amount of rat poison, they may need treatment with a specific antidote, such as vitamin K1, to counteract its effects.

Please note that it is always best to consult a veterinarian if your pet has ingested any type of poison or toxic substance. They will be able to provide you with specific and more detailed advice based on your individual situation.

assistant: Please seek veterinary care immediately, this program should not be used to replace existing emergency professionals !

if that is not possible under any circumstance, consider the following ways to neutralize the poison:
1) Induce vomiting before the poison has been absorbed into the stomach walls (2 hours after ingestion).
2) Make the dog ingest activated charcoal to absorb enough of the poison in time (please make sure you know what you are doing)

prompter: Can you find a poison control number for Minnesota?