Every month, as part of our team meetings, one team member takes on the task of presenting an important topic to the staff.  At our recent June meeting, Danielle did a great job on educating us all on some of the known - and not so known - dangers our pets can be exposed to.  Check out her list and let us know if any were new to you :)

Pet Toxins According to the PetPoison Helpline

Heat and Humidity

• Not a direct poison, but animals don’t sweat like humans, so they over heat fast
• Cars can quickly get up to 150+ degrees
• Do not treat dogs with ice water, rather cool water and immediately seek veterinary attention

Salt water toxicity

• Though we don’t really live by a beach, it is interesting
• Causes salt poisoning because of high levels of salt in the sea
• Signs can follow in a quick progression include walking drunk, depression, seizures
• Easiest to prevent is by offering bottled water when at the beach

Compost piles/bins

• Toxic to pets and wildlife
• Create mycotoxins as they decompose
• Clinical signs include agitation, panting, drooling
• Signs can show within 30 minutes to several hours

Mole and gopher baits

• Contain zinc phoshides which causes gas formation in the stomach
  • As a caution to us, if we release the gas from the pet’s stomach, it can be hazardous to us.
• Could contain a neurotoxin

Flea and tick products

• Make sure that cats don’t have access to the ones labeled “dog only”

Pesticides

• Now a days, this is not the concern it used to be, as the active ingredients are used in lower concentrations
• More likely to cause pancreatitis or a foreign body block
• Check the label for more instructions

Mushrooms

• Most are not toxic
• If your eats a mushroom, induce vomiting to be safe
• Ensure that the pet stays alert and upper airway stays open
• Bring mushroom pieces in paper towel to your vet
• Signs of toxicity include abdominal pain, ataxia, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors

Firecrackers

• Usually just a frightening hazard
• Make sure pet doesn’t chase a lit fire cracker
• Causing burns on paws, mouth and face or GI if they ingest it
• Chewing on some brands can cause kidney failure

Plants

• Grasses is generally non-toxic to dogs
• Tomato plants
  • Part of the nightshade family
  • Green tomatoes are the worst
  • Toxin decreases as the tomato ripens
  • Signs of toxicity include GI irritation, ataxia and weakness
• Poinsettias
  • stems and leavescause GI irritation and vomiting
  • not deadly in small amounts
• Easter Lilies
  • All parts cause depression, vomiting and diahrrea in cats
  • If untreated cats will die of kidney failure

Onions and garlic

• Large concentrations cause anemia
• Wild onions are more toxic
• Cats and cows are more sensitive than other animals

Grapes or raisins

• Signs are vomiting, diarrhea, and severe acute renal failure
• Require aggressive supportive care

Rodenticides (2 types)

• Zinc phoshide or strychnine is the most toxic
  • Life threatening emergency because of concentration
• Contain anticoagulants (can’t clot blood)
  • Antidote available
• Always have the original packaging to help your vet diagnose your animal’s severity

Fertilizer

• Variety of forms, and generally only cause low level of toxicity irritation

Mulch

• If made from a cocoa bean causes occasional toxicity
• When mulch is fresh, it has a chocolate aroma

Blue-green algae

• This algae actually contains a cyanobacteria which affects nervous system
• Signs include vomiting, lethargy, shock, weakness
  • Seen after dog ingests or swims in affected water