How ReadyRESCUE Can Save Your Pet From Accidental Overdoses
Proponents say it can help save pets after they’ve eaten something they shouldn’t have—but not all vets are convinced.
LIFESAVER
In fall 2023, Katie Scott came home after work and saw that her black Labrador mix Chowder had broken out of her crate and gotten into a bottle of children’s liquid ibuprofen. Scott, who is a veterinary technician, says that human medication like Advil and Tylenol can be harmful to internal organs in dogs, causing gastrointestinal, kidney, and liver issues. She knew she was working against the clock to get Chowder the care she needed.
Before she called her local veterinary hospital, though, Scott reached for ReadyRESCUE, an at-home animal detoxifier that works to absorb toxins before a pet’s body does, buying pet owners time to get to a veterinarian. Scott said for her, ReadyRESCUE’s most valuable asset is being able to give it at home, because every minute matters after pets have ingested toxins, and gives pet owners a minute to breathe before calling poison control or the vet clinic.
ReadyRESCUE, manufactured by the brand Dr. Cuddles, is made of activated carbon spheres which can be mixed with another ingredient, such as peanut butter, to give to pets who have ingested toxins at home. This can include human medications, chocolate, and recreational drugs like THC. The charcoal absorbs the toxin, binding harmful ingredients to the spheres instead of your pet’s bloodstream, and then is safely eliminated in a cat or dog’s feces without causing damage to internal organs or the gastrointestinal tract.
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While charcoal administration for pets who have ingested a toxin isn’t new (activated charcoal is a common protocol used in pet hospitals) ReadyRESCUE’s charcoal spheres provide pet owners a first-of-its kind tool that can be used at home. It’s a concept that excites founder, Mat Glassman, a board-certified veterinary surgeon in Washington, D.C. who spent three years developing the product.
Though intended for accidental toxin ingestion, Glassman noted that there are some toxins ReadyRESCUE will not be effective against, including xylitol, which is a sweetener found in products like gum; and ethylene glycol, or antifreeze. For pet owners like Scott, though, the product is a “comforting” tool to have on hand.
Benjamin Brainard, professor of small animal emergency and critical care at University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine, told The Daily Beast that he has not used ReadyRESCUE in his practice, but is familiar with the product and offered a recent scenario where it may have been useful. A patient of his was on an island in South Carolina and their dog got into human medication.
Barking Up the Wrong Tree
While some emergency veterinarians support the product and see the value, others are not convinced. Lauren Darwin, an emergency veterinarian in Tucson, Arizona called ReadyRESCUE “a dangerous product” for consumers and told The Daily Beast that after a pet ingests any toxin, the first step should be contacting ASPCA’s Pet Poison Control Center, a 24/7/365 helpline available by calling (888) 426-4435, followed by taking them to the nearest emergency room for treatment.
Darwin added that while charcoal may be recommended for some types of toxin ingestions, there are life-threatening issues that can arise by giving charcoal at home. Glassman admitted that vomiting is a valid concern when pets ingest toxins—but one that is faced regardless of if charcoal is given at home or at a hospital. He cited medical studies, including one on the use of hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting, that underscore the importance of time when treating animals that have ingested toxins.
While Glassman accepts the concern regarding vomiting, he is adamant the product is not intended to be a replacement for professional veterinary care, but a solution for time-critical emergencies, such as toxin ingestion.
