03/02/2023
March is Poison Prevention Awareness Month.
Did you know that many items found throughout your home are toxic to your pet. Included are just a handful of items that are considered toxic to your pet.
Chocolate: This can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or seizures. Baker's chocolate and dark chocolate are the most toxic because they contain a higher percentage of theobromine. Although we don't recommend feeding it to your pet, milk and white chocolate are less likely to affect your pet.
Rat Poison: You may notice your pet ate rat poison by witnessing it or by their bright green stool. There are different types of poisons on the market, and it's very important to bring the packaging with you to the vet because different poisons present with different symptoms and require different treatments. Common active ingredients that can negatively affect your pet include cholecalciferol, anticoagulants, bromethalin, and zinc and aluminum phosphides.
Xylitol: This is a common sugar additive and is commonly found in gum, but it is also known to be found in some peanut butter brands. Xylitol can act quickly and can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels and seizures.
Grapes and Raisins: Cold grapes may be a nice sweet treat, especially on a hot summer day. They are not safe to give to dogs and can cause acute kidney failure, which can lead to death. Some dogs can go their whole life without being affected from grape ingestion, but that doesn't mean every dog is lucky. Treatment often includes supportive care and multiple bloodwork rechecks.
Plants: Lilies, sago palms, and some other common household plants are very toxic to your pets. Ingestion of these plants may include liver, kidney, or heart failure. Cats are notorious for getting into plants, so try keeping a garden of catnip, buckwheat grass, or silver vine.
Human Prescriptions: There are some human medications that can be used for dogs and cats, but we recommend consulting your veterinarian prior to administering these medications to your pet. Antidepressants are a big concern with dogs and cats as it can cause heart or neurological problems. Treatment of medication ingestion depends on the type of medication, the amount, and the time it was ingested.
In addition to the the toxins listed here, others include household cleaners, antifreeze, onions, to***co products, garlic, macademia nuts, alcohol, yeast products, and caffeine.
If you notice or suspect that your pet has ingested anything other than their normal diet, please give us a call.