Poison
Info Emergency Phone Numbers, Websites 
Poison
Info Emergency Phone Numbers, Websites
Antifreeze
When temperatures drop across the country, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) urges pet owners to step up precautions against
dangers your pets may face outdoors. Antifreeze, for example, can be fatal
to dogs and cats if ingested--even in very tiny doses. Unfortunately,
because of its sweet taste, animals are attracted to this commonly used automotive chemical, so be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from
your vehicle. You may also want to consider switching to a propylene glycol-based antifreeze, which is significantly less toxic than
conventional ethylene glycol antifreeze. This will provide an added margin
of safety for pets and wildlife, but remember--no antifreeze is absolutely
safe.
If you suspect that your pet has ingested antifreeze--or any poisonous substance--call your veterinarian or the APCC's emergency hotline at
1-888-4-ANI-HELP for round-the-clock telephone assistance. For more information on poison prevention, visit
http://www.napcc.aspca.org.
Antifreeze Poisoning Information - info from Washington State University
Christmas Holiday Hazards
Lovely lilies are commonly used in holiday floral arrangements, but many
varieties, including tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Stargazer and the Casa
Blanca, can cause kidney failure in cats. Bag the boughs of holly and live mistletoe. Yes, they add a nice touch
to your holiday decor, but holly can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and lethargy if ingested by your pet. And should he eat mistletoe, he could
suffer gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Opt for If your dog or cat ingests pine tree needles, she can suffer an upset
stomach and oral pain. Although the potential toxicity of poinsettias is generally overrated,
these showy holiday plants can be irritating to your pet's mouth if eaten,
and may cause mild vomiting or nausea.
Christmas
Tree Hazards
If you suspect that your pet has eaten a potentially toxic substance,
call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's emergency hotline--1-888-4-ANI-HELP--for round-the-clock telephone
assistance. For more information on poison prevention, visit http://www.napcc.aspca.org.
CHOCOLATE
TOXICOSIS December 2000
For many people, overindulging in holiday goodies may result in a few extra pounds--but the consequences for our animal companions are much greater if they accidentally ingest cookies, candy or baked goods containing
chocolate. In any form ranging from one-ounce baking squares to brownies,
chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both methylxanthines that can
cause stimulation of the central nervous system, an increase in heart rate
and tremors. Clinical symptoms--vomiting, diarrhea, seizures,
hyperactivity, and increased thirst, urination and heart rate--can be seen
with the ingestion of as little as 1/4 ounce of baking chocolate by a
ten-pound dog.
"We seem to receive more calls involving chocolate toxicosis during
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day and Easter," says Jill
A. Richardson, DVM, of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC). Just
after the Thanksgiving holiday last month, she handled a case involving
Sophie, an 18-pound cocker spaniel who'd eaten an 18-ounce box of milk
chocolate truffles. "She'd ingested a dangerous level of chocolate, had
already vomited several times and was drinking large amounts of water."
Richardson worked in conjunction with Sophie's veterinarian to provide
emergency treatment, which included activated charcoal, intravenous fluids
and medication for her elevated heart rate. Reports Richardson, "She'd
recovered by morning, but spent the day in doggie day care to make sure
she didn't have further problems."
Although chocolate toxicosis is more common in dogs, who have been known
to eat candy and trays of brownies and fudge accidentally left out, it is
a potential problem with any species, Richardson says. Take care this
holiday season to keep all candy out of your pets' reach--and don't let
them in the kitchen unsupervised when you're baking. If you suspect your
pet has eaten chocolate, call your veterinarian or the APCC's emergency
hotline 1-888-4-ANI-HELP--for round-the-clock telephone assistance. For
more information on poison prevention, visit
http://www.napcc.aspca.org.
How Much Chocolate Is Toxic?
This depends on the pet's weight, as well as the type and amount of
chocolate consumed. Cocoa beans and baking chocolate have the highest
amount of stimulants, white chocolate has the least.
Cocoa Bean Mulch Toxicosis
How does your garden grow? Not with cocoa bean mulch,
please. A retrospective study just released by the ASPCA Animal Poison
Control Center (APCC) confirms that this commonly used fertilizer may deter
slugs and snails, but it also attracts companion canines, who can be
poisoned by eating it.
Made from spent cocoa beans used in the production of chocolate, cocoa bean mulch contains caffeine and theobromine, both of which are toxic to dogs. Depending on the amount ingested, symptoms range from vomiting and diarrhea (as exhibited by a 50-pound dog who had eaten about two ounces of the mulch) to tremors, seizures and death.
The study, which included six cases received and managed by veterinarians at the APCC between January 2002 and April 2003, was presented at last month's 2003 North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology. Comments Dr. Steven Hansen, the APCC's Senior Vice President, "Since the updated data confirms that dogs can exhibit certain clinical effects after consuming cocoa bean shell mulch fertilizer, the ASPCA advises pet owners that they should avoid using this fertilizer around unsupervised dogs, and dogs with indiscriminate eating habits."
If you suspect that your dog has ingested this organic fertilizer--or any other potentially toxic substance--immediately contact your veterinarian or the APCC at (888) 426-4435 for 24-hour emergency assistance. For more information on cocoa bean mulch, visit APCC online.
COMMON-CENTS CAUTIONS FOR
PET OWNERS
Humans aren't the only species with money troubles--did you know that
pennies can be hazardous to your animal companion's health? One-cent coins
minted after 1982 are made of copper plating around a core of potentially
toxic zinc, which can cause kidney failure and damage red blood cells.
And, reports the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), zinc poisoning
in pets can occur with the ingestion of a single penny.
In one such case, a dog had been vomiting for 3 days and was suffering
from anemia and elevated kidney values when his regular veterinarian
called the APCC for help. His owner had no idea if he'd eaten anything out
of the ordinary, but the APCC suspected zinc toxicosis. Sure enough,
x-rays revealed a metallic object in the stomach. Unfortunately, the penny
had corroded and was embedded in the dog's stomach lining--and surgery was
the only way to remove it. Reports APCC's Jill A. Richardson, DVM, "He
recovered slowly, but totally, about ten days later. And now the owner is
very cautious about dropping pennies in the house!"
Although zinc toxicosis from pennies is seen more often in dogs, there
have been cases involving cats and larger species of pet birds. Adds
Richardson, "It's also a common problem with large wild aquatic birds
who
eat pennies that people drop into ponds." Zoo animals suffer,
too--particularly sea lions, seals and sea otters who ingest the coins
thrown into their tanks. Please take care when visiting a zoo, pond or
anywhere wildlife could be exposed. And if you suspect that your pet has
eaten a penny--or any other potentially toxic substance--call your
veterinarian or the APCC's emergency hotline at 1-888-4-ANI-HELP for
round-the-clock telephone assistance. For more information on poison
prevention, visit http://www.napcc.aspca.org.
Grapes and
raisins toxic to dogs
HOLD
THE GUACAMOLE, POR FAVOR!
Thinking of giving Polly a little something extra with her cracker? While
there are a few foods that both humans and pets can enjoy, there are
others that, while perfectly palatable for people, can be dangerous to our
animal companions. The fruit of the avocado, for example, poses a threat
to a number of species. "Avocados contain a toxic component called
persin," explains Jill A. Richardson, DVM, of the ASPCA Animal Poison
Control Center (APCC), "which has been shown to produce cardiac tissue
damage, respiratory distress and mammary gland damage in a variety of
animals--including horses, goats, sheep, dogs, cattle, rabbits, fish and
birds."
Consider the case of the cockatiel who had been given some guacamole by
his owner. Within four hours of ingestion, the bird started behaving
strangely--puffing his feathers and acting uncomfortable--and got
progressively worse. The bird's owner brought him to an emergency clinic,
and the veterinarian there contacted the APCC. Says Richardson, "We
gave
him recommendations on treating the animal--an oxygen cage and diuretics
to remove the fluid on the bird's lungs." The animal was hospitalized
for
several days, but recovered. "And needless to say," adds
Richardson, "guacamole is NOT on the menu any longer!"
If you suspect that your animal companion has eaten avocado--or any other
potentially dangerous substance--call your veterinarian or the APCC's
emergency hotline at 1-888-4-ANI-HELP for round-the-clock telephone
assistance. For more information on poison prevention, visit
http://www.apcc.aspca.org.
MACADAMIA
NUTS A NO-NO FOR DOGS
They may be popular party fare, but they're no fun for domestic canines.
If ingested, macadamia nuts can cause muscular weakness, depression,
vomiting, incoordination, tremors, abdominal pain and muscle stiffness,
reports Dr. Jill A. Richardson of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
(APCC). "So far these symptoms have only been seen in dogs," says
Richardson.
The APCC receives several calls each year from pet owners and
veterinarians concerning macadamia nuts. One such case involved a
seven-year-old Dalmatian who reportedly ate three pounds of macadamias.
The nuts were intended for use in a bakery and had been stored in the
freezer for about two years. After ingestion, the dog exhibited tremors in
her rear legs, minor depression and vomiting. Following treatment--which
included intravenous fluids and medications--she made a full recovery. In
another instance, an eight-year-old terrier mix ate about five ounces of
macadamia nuts from a can that had been opened the night before. Her limbs
were weak and she'd been shaking for about an hour. The dog didn't require
treatment, but her doctor did keep her under observation for a day.
Although veterinarians aren't sure exactly what component in macadamia
nuts makes them toxic, they do know that other nuts don't cause similar
problems. If you suspect that your dog has eaten macadamia nuts--or any
other potentially dangerous substance--call your veterinarian or the
APCC's emergency hotline at 1-888-4-ANI-HELP for round-the-clock telephone
assistance.
MOTHBALLS
Traditionally used to prevent clothing from being eaten by moth larvae,
mothballs are also scattered in backyards to repel deer, raccoons and
other wild animals. But unfortunately, that hasn't stopped domestic
animals from getting into this toxic household product. According to the
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), the ingestion of just one
mothball can cause serious problems in dogs and cats. Symptoms include
vomiting, lethargy, seizures and blood disorders. Kidney failure and coma
can develop in severe cases.
"Mothballs are supposed to repel animals, but they don't always,"
says
APCC's Jill A. Richardson, DVM, who remembers an emergency call from a pet
owner who reported that her cat had bluish gums and seemed very depressed.
"The owners mentioned that they had sprinkled some mothballs around an
opened closet, and their son said he saw the cat lick some of them,"
says
Richardson. The owners were instructed to bring their pet to the local
animal hospital, and the veterinarian there consulted the APCC for
recommended treatment--which included, in this case, medication, blood
transfusions and oxygen therapy, "as the cat's blood was not carrying
oxygen well," explains Richardson. Treatment continued for several
days,
and the cat was later released to her owner.
To prevent this from happening in your home or backyard, always keep
mothballs in areas that aren't accessible to pets, and keep in mind that
the most dangerous mothballs are the old-fashioned type, which contain
100-percent naphthalene. "Paradichlorvos is a safer type to use,"
says
Richardson. And if you suspect that your pet has ingested a mothball--or
any other potentially dangerous substance--call your veterinarian or the
APCC's emergency hotline at 1-888-4-ANI-HELP for round-the-clock telephone
assistance. For more information on poison prevention, visit
http://www.apcc.aspca.org.
Poinsettias,
poisoning and pets-should you believe the hype? Info form the ASPCA
Easter
Lily
A toxic plant that causes kidney failure that can be fatal when ingested.
If ingestion of this plant is suspected, contact a veterinarian immediately.
Treatment must begin within six hours.
More
info from the ASPCA