Poisons and our pets

Spring is in the air and to me is a reminder of all the things we need to be aware of that can poison our pets as we are now spring cleaning and working on our yards. 
 
Be aware of the plants you have in your home and yard. The ingestion of azalea, oleander, sago palm or yew plant material by your pet can be fatal.  Easter lily, day lily, tiger lily and some other lily species can cause kidney failure in cats. 
 
Make sure your pets do not go on lawns or in gardens treated with fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides until they have dried completely. Always store such products in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. If you are uncertain about the usage of any product, ask the manufacturer and/or your veterinarian for instructions.  I have had a customer warn me about a fertilizer that has cocoa in it.  These products are very poisonous to our pets.  
 
If you have a pest problem and you use rat, mouse, snail or slug baits, or ant or roach traps, place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your pet. Some bait contains sweet smelling inert ingredients, such as jelly, peanut butter or sugar that can attract your pets.  Do not use poisons like DeCon to kill mice.  If the mouse eats the poison and your cat or dog eats the mouse, they will be poisoned as well.  If your pet is poisoned by DeCon, you don't have much time to get them help.
 
Check your driveway or garage for any antifreeze/coolant leaking from your vehicle. Animals are attracted to the sweet taste and ingesting just a small amount can cause an animal's death.  There are products on the market that are animal-friendly that use propylene glycol rather than those containing ethylene glycol.
 
Do not use products you purchase for your dog on your cat.  Read all of the information on the label before using a product on your pet or in your home.  If a product is for use only on dogs, it should never be used on cats; if a product is for use only on cats, it should never be used on dogs.
 
There are a lot of household products and medications that you may not be aware of that can be harmful to your pets.  Mothballs, potpourri oils, coffee grounds, homemade play dough, sugar-free gum and candy that contain Xylitol, fabric softener sheets, dishwashing detergent, batteries, cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, pennies and hand and foot warmers could be dangerous for your pet.
 
Keep all prescription and over-the-counter medications out of your pet's reach. 

 Do you have any of the following  medication in you home that your pet may have easy access to:
 
NSAID's (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are the most common cause of pet poisoning in small animals and can cause serious problems even in minimal doses.
 
Antidepressants can cause vomiting and lethargy and certain types can lead to serotonin syndrome.
 
Cats are especially sensitive to acetaminophen, which can damage red blood cells and interfere with their ability to transport oxygen. In dogs, it can cause liver damage and, at higher doses, red blood cell damage.
 
Medications used to treat ADHD in people act as stimulants in pets and can dangerously elevate heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature, as well as cause seizures.
 
Fluorouracil - an anti-cancer drug can be fatal to dogs.

Isoniazid (for tuberculosis) is particularly toxic for dogs because they don't metabolize it as well as other species. It can cause a rapid onset of severe seizures that may ultimately result in death.
 
Pseudoephedrine acts like a stimulant if accidentally ingested by pets. In cats and dogs, it causes elevated heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature as well as seizures.
 
Many oral diabetes treatments-including glipizide and glyburide-can cause a major drop in blood sugar levels of affected pets. Clinical signs of ingestion include disorientation, lack of coordination and seizures.
 
Even small exposures to Vitamin D analogues like calcipotriene and calcitriol can cause life-threatening spikes in blood calcium levels in pets.
 
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant that can impair the central nervous systems of cats and dogs.
 
When it comes to food, dogs can eat most anything.  But there are certain foods that can be poisonous to your pets.  Some foods that are good for you may be deadly for your dog.

Raisins:  Both grapes and raisins can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney failure.   

Chocolate: especially dark chocolate can make your pet very sick.  Consumption may cause excitement, increased urination, muscle tremors, seizures, and rapid heart rate.
 
Sugarless Gum: Sugar-free gum and candy often contain xylitol, a sugar alcohol that can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar for dogs. 
 
Onions:  A chemical in onions damages dogs' blood cells and can cause anemia.  One small whole onion may be fatal. 

Macadamia Nuts:  A compound in them may leave your dog with temporary paralysis in his hind legs but usually have no long-term effects.
 
What should you do if your pet is poisoned.  The ASPCA says, "don't panic."  Take 30 to 60 seconds to safely collect and have at hand any material involved. 

You may call ASPCA's poison control at 888-426-4435
but there is a $60 consultation fee that goes with this. 

You may also call your own vet if they are open or any of the area's 24 hour animal hospitals such as:

St. Francis at 360.253.5446

Clark Co. Emergency Vet at 360.694.3007

Dove Lewis at 503.228.7281 

Be ready with the following information:

• The species, breed, age, sex, weight and number of animals involved.
• The animal's symptoms.
• Information regarding the exposure, including the agent (if known), the amount of the agent involved and the time elapsed since the time of exposure.
• Have the product container/packaging available for reference.

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