With
various dangers lurking in corners and cabinets, the home can be a minefield
of poisons for our pets. In 2008, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
(APCC) in Urbana, IL, handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed
to toxic substances, many of which included everyday household products.
Don’t leave it up to Fido or Fluffy to keep themselves safe. Below is
a list of the top ten pet poisons that affected our furry friends in
2008.
Human
Medications
For
several years, human medications have been number one on the ASPCA’s
list of common hazards, and 2008 was no exception. Last year, the ASPCA
managed more than 50,000 calls involving prescription and over-the-counter
drugs, such as painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary
supplements. Pets often snatch pill vials from counters and nightstands
or gobble up medications accidentally dropped on the floor, so it’s
essential to keep meds tucked away in hard-to-reach cabinets.
Insecticides
In
our effort to battle home invasions of unwelcome pests, we often unwittingly
put our pets at risk. In 2008, our toxicologists fielded more than 31,000
calls related to insecticides. One of the most common incidents involved
the misuse of flea and tick products—such as applying the wrong topical
treatment to the wrong species. Thus, it’s always important to talk
to your pet’s veterinarian before beginning any flea and tick control
program.
People
Food
People
food like grapes, raisins, avocado and certain citrus fruit can seriously
harm our furry friends, and accounted for more than 15,000 cases in
2008. One of the worst offenders—chocolate—contains large amounts of
methylxanthines, which, if ingested in significant amounts, can cause
vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity,
and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures.
Rodenticides
Last
year, the ASPCA received approximately 8,000 calls about pets who had
accidentally ingested rat and mouse poisons. 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.
Veterinary
Medications
Even
though veterinary medications are intended for pets, they’re often misapplied
or improperly dispensed by well-meaning pet parents. In 2008, the ASPCA
managed nearly 8,000 cases involving animal-related preparations such
as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-wormers,
antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements.
Plants
Common
houseplants were the subject of nearly 8,000 calls to the Animal Poison
Control Center in 2008. 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.
Chemical
Hazards
In
2008, the Animal Poison Control Center handled approximately 5,500 cases
of pet exposure to chemical hazards. A category on the rise, chemical
hazards—found in ethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners
and pool/spa chemicals—form a substantial danger to pets. Substances
in this group can cause gastrointestinal upset, depression, respiratory
difficulties and chemical burns.
Household
Cleaners
Everybody
knows that household cleaning supplies can be toxic to adults and children,
but few take precautions to protect their pets from common agents such
as bleaches, detergents and disinfectants. Last year, the ASPCA received
more than 3,200 calls related to household cleaners. These products,
when inhaled by our furry friends, can cause serious gastrointestinal
distress and irritation to the respiratory tract.
Heavy
Metals
It’s
not too much loud music that constitutes our next pet poison offender.
Instead, it’s heavy metals such as lead, zinc and mercury, which accounted
for more than 3,000 cases of pet poisonings in 2008. Lead is especially
pernicious, and pets are exposed to it through many sources, including
consumer products, paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust produced when
surfaces in older homes are scraped or sanded.
Fertilizer
It
may keep your grass green, but certain types of fertilizer can cause
problems for outdoor cats and dogs. Last year, the ASPCA fielded more
than 2,000 calls related to fertilizer exposure. Prevention is really
key to avoiding accidental exposure, but if you suspect your pet has
ingested something lawn-side, please contact your veterinarian or the
Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.
Bailley's
Blog - Bailley was diagnosed with Cushing's
in November of 2014. We lost Bailley 8/15/17
This
is a record of our journey and how I chose to treat her. It is my hope
others will find comfort and answers.
