Somebody’s Poisoned the Waterhole: ASPCA Poison Control Center Data to Identify Animal Health Risks

Analysis of available, potentially large data streams could have value in assisting risk identification efforts. We explored data from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center hotline to identify weekly increases in: 1) call volume, 2) calls regarding certain intoxication products, 3) calls regarding certain species, and 4) calls with clinical signs associated with specific syndromes. Seasonal trends were observed in calls regarding pesticide intoxications. Human-centric product intoxication trends were observed in swine. These data support the value of passive data streams in risk identification, biosurveillance, and animal health monitoring.