Veterinary Poisons Information Service
The Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) is a 24-hour telephone emergency service providing the information on the management of actual and suspected poisoning in animals. They provide direct support to registered veterinary practices. They also provide a 24-hour triage service, Animal PoisonLine, for owners, where they can advise if a trip to the vet is required.
Each case is based upon the specific situation and is directly handled by one of their trained veterinary information scientists. VPIS can deal with the effects of thousands of toxic substances in small animals, livestock, exotics, or wildlife, such as human drugs, veterinary drug overdoses, household/DIY products, plants, agrochemicals and venomous animals.
For each enquiry VPIS covers the risk assessment for that toxin and species, the anticipated clinical effects and the ideal treatment protocol with prognostic advice, in order to ensure that the veterinary professional is in the best position to provide optimum treatment.
The advice is based upon its case database of over 290,000 past cases and extensive resources obtained through research of published data. They constantly refine their advice to offer current best practice and ensure their veterinary information scientists are qualified and fully trained to handle enquiries.
VPIS provides CPD training days around the UK for vets, vet nurses, as well as online CPD training. They can also provide educational talks for conferences and organisations upon request.
They collaborate with many other veterinary associations, animal welfare groups, and veterinary industry partners and produce leaflets and other publications on poisoning themes in order to increase awareness amongst vets and owners.
Practice use of the VPIS requires a membership, please contact the VPIS for further details. Animal PoisonLine is charged per case at the time of the call. Both services are 24 hours.
For further information please contact:-
Veterinary Poisons Information Service
2nd Floor, Apex Yard
29-35 Long Lane
London
SE1 4PL
Tel: +44(0)2073 055 055 and (option 1 for cases, option 2 for admin)
Animal PoisonLine (triage service for owners)
Tel: 01202 50 9000*
*charges apply