Poison Prevention

Our pets are marvelous beings. We provide food, attention, training, medical care and love. In exchange, they offer companionship, protection, enjoyment and reciprocal love for us. For all that they have to offer, though, they must rely on us for protection from harm. We need to look at our homes through the eyes of our pets, seeking out "toys" and "entertainment's" that may be deleterious to them.

Dogs and cats of all ages, and especially kittens and puppies, explore with their mouths. Dogs like to mouth and chew things. Cats may start to taste something and be unable to spit it out because of their rough tongues, particularly string, tinsel or yarn. Both may simply "dive in" when they see us doing something new or unfamiliar. These behaviors often land them in trouble. But we can do much to prevent disaster.

Indoor Hazards:

Our homes can contain a wide variety of potentially harmful compounds. The following is not a complete list, but indicates some of the most common problems.

Foods to Avoid:

*Onions, onion powder
*Chocolate (baker's, semi-sweet, milk and dark)
*Alcoholic Beverages
*Yeast Dough
*Coffee (grounds, beans chocolate covered espresso beans)
*Tea (caffeine)
*Salt
*Macadamia Nuts
*Hops (used in home beer brewing)
*Tomato leaves and stems (green parts)
*Potato leaves and stems (green parts)
*Rhubarb leaves
*Avocados (toxic to birds, mice, rabbits, horses, cattle, and dairy goats)
*Moldy foods

Medications:

Because pets metabolize drugs and chemicals differently than we do, our companion animals need to be kept away from all human medications. DO NOT give any of your medications to a pet. That includes over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, cough or cold medicines and decongestants. Do not give your dog's medicine to your cat or ferret.

Be careful when taking your own medications. Make sure a pill does not drop within reach of a playful paw or quick, slurping tongue. Do not put your medications out on a table or counter to take later. They may not be there when you go back for them.

Store medications for all family members and pets in high cabinets, out of reach. With their curiosity and strong teeth, dogs can crack open a pill vial and swallow the entire contents in a very short time. Even if a medication is prescribed for your pet, an overdose could be toxic.

Medications that come in tubes may also pose a significant risk. Most pets have sharp teeth and can chew into a tube within seconds. Creams and ointments that may be quite safe when applied to the skin can cause serious problems when eaten.

Pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, anti-depressants, vitamins and diet pills are all examples of human medications that can be lethal to animals, even in small doses.

Plants

Some houseplants can be quite harmful if ingested by an animal. The ingestion of Azalea, Oleander, Castor bean, Sago Palm, Baster lily or yew plant material by an animal can be fatal. Chewing on some plants may result in severe irritation to the mouth and throat. Others, while not quite so deadly, may cause severe intestinal upset. You should know the names of all your plants, and keep any potentially toxic plants out of areas accessible to your animal companions. A good visual reference guide can be found at the University of Illinois Toxicology homepage.

Flea Control Products and Other Insecticides:

For many pets, fleas are a problem that makes life miserable. When you treat a house to kill fleas or other insects, read the product label and follow all directions carefully. This is particularly important if a flea control product is to be applied directly to the pet. Before buying a flea product, consult your veterinarian, especially when treating sick, debilitated or pregnant pets.

Mouse and Rat Poisons:

If you use ant or roach bait, make sure they are in a spot inaccessible to your pet. Keep track of the baits and remove and dispose of them properly when they are no longer needed. Record on a calendar the date the bait was put out and the name of the bait used. This will be needed if your dog eats an entire bait container or if there was no label on the container and you need to tell the veterinarian what your pet ingested. Antidotes and medical treatments for such poisons differ on the type ingested.

Household Chemicals:

Many household chemicals can be harmful if consumed by your pet. Most cleansing materials can cause stomach upset and vomiting if they are eaten. Dishwasher detergent can produce burns in the mouth. When using household chemicals, special care should be taken to make sure your pets cannot access them. This may mean keeping your pet out of the room where you are using such materials. Common household items that can be lethal to an animal are mothballs, potpourri oils, homemade play dough, fabric softener sheets, dishwashing detergent, batteries and cigarettes.

What to do if your dog is exposed to a poison:

Your animal may become poisoned in spite your best effort to prevent it. Because of this, you should be prepared. Your pet should be seen by your local veterinarian at least on an annual basis to maintain overall health. You should know your veterinarians procedures for emergency situations, especially ones that occur after usual business hours. You should keep the telephone numbers for your veterinarian, State Poison Control and ASPCA (1-888-426-4435. Depending on the product consumed there may be a charge for the service. The operator will inform you at the time of the call.) in a convenient location.

You may benefit by keeping a pet safety kit on hand for emergencies. Such a kit should contain:

*A fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide 3% (USP)
*Can of soft dog or cat food, as appropriate
*Turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine syringe
*Saline eye solution to flush out eye contaminants
*Artificial tear gel to lubricate eyes after flushing
*Mild grease-cutting dish washing liquid in order to bathe an animal after skin contamination.
*Rubber gloves
*Forceps
*Muzzle, just in case your animal is uncomfortable, sometimes they can be unpredictable
*Pet Carrier

You should not attempt any therapy on your pet without contacting the ASPCA, your local veterinarian or a state poison control center. If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a poison, it is important not to panic. While rapid response is important, panicking generally interferes with the process of helping your pet. Take 30-60 seconds to collect yourself and have at hand the material involved. In the event that you need to take your pet to your veterinarian, be sure to take with you any relevant product container. Bring any material your pet may have vomited or chewed collected in a zip lock bag.

If your pet is snarling, vomiting and has diarrhea in excess, losing consciousness, unconscious or having difficulty breathing, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. Most veterinarians are familiar with available consulting services. Depending on your particular situation, your local veterinarian may have you bring your pet to the animal hospital.