Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2009
With various dangers lurking in corners and cabinets, the home can be a minefield of poisons for our pets.
Below is a list of the top 10 pet poisons that affected our furry friends in 2009.
People Food
One of the worst offenders—chocolate—contains large amounts of methylxanthines, which, if ingested, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures.For a more in-depth list of foods that can cause your pet to become very ill, see "Don't Share With Your Pet" and "Poisons, Toxins, Hazards" pages.
Insecticides
In our effort to battle home invasions of unwelcome pests, we often unwittingly put our pets at risk. Most common incidents involved the misuse of flea and tick products—such as applying the wrong topical treatment to the wrong species, and the side effects of certain "pet store/grocery store" flea products. Thus, it’s always important to talk to your pet’s veterinarian before beginning any flea and tick control program.
Plants Varieties such as azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoe and schefflera are often found in homes and can be harmful to pets. Lilies are especially toxic to cats, and can cause life-threatening kidney failure even in small amounts.
Rodenticides
Many baits used to attract rodents contain inactive ingredients that are attractive to pets as well. Depending on the type of rodenticide, ingestions can lead to potentially life-threatening problems for pets, including bleeding, seizures and kidney damage.
Human Medications
Every year we see pets that have helped themselves to their owners painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements. They will often snatch pill vials from counters and nightstands or gobble up medications accidentally dropped on the floor, so it’s essential to keep medications tucked away in hard-to-reach cabinets.
Veterinary Medications
Even though veterinary medications are intended for pets, they’re often misapplied or improperly dispensed by well-meaning pet parents. Always follow the directions given to you by your veterinarian, and if you have questions, never hesitate to call our office.
Chemical Hazards Chemical hazards—found in ethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners and pool/spa chemicals—form a substantial danger to pets.
Household Cleaners
Everybody knows that household cleaning supplies can be toxic to adults and children, but we also must protect our pets from common agents such as bleaches, detergents and disinfectants. These products, when inhaled by our pets, can cause serious gastrointestinal distress and irritation to the respiratory tract.
Heavy Metals Heavy metals such as lead, zinc and mercury accounted for more than 3,000 cases of pet poisonings in 2008. Pets are exposed to these metals through many sources, including consumer products, paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust produced when surfaces in homes are sanded.
Fertilizer
Prevention is really key to avoiding accidental exposure, but if you suspect your pet has ingested something that you have used in your yard, please contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.
