Toxicity is Common in Our Pets: What to avoid

Dr. Ron Biese

There are many curious dogs and cats in this world that love to explore with their mouth.  That means they will often eat different plants, every day foods and even awful tasting chemicals.  It is bewildering why an animal would eat some of these toxic chemicals or large objects that will cause an intestinal obstruction, but it is quite common.   Cats are less common to eat something that they shouldn’t, but there are cats that eat anything like a dog.

The most common toxins to be aware of include the following list which is not comprehensive:

·       Common foods that very edible but toxic to animals-chocolate, onions/garlic, macadamia nuts, any gum or sweet treat with xylitol in it, grapes,  raisins, and raw yeast dough.

·       Toxic household plants that are common are Lilies, mushrooms, Philodendron, Rhododendron, Dumb cane, English Ivy, Mistletoe, and ornamental bulbs.  This is by no means a complete list of toxic plants.  Many other outdoor plants can cause severe illness in our pets.

·       Common chemicals that can be ingested (mostly by dogs) are rat/mouse poisoning, ant bait, moth balls, batteries (esp. lithium ion),  glow sticks, rose fertilizer containing disulfoton, liquid potpourri, coins, paints, silica gel packets, laundry pods, and Gorilla glue.

·       Common drugs that can be ingested include Tylenol (esp. toxic to cats), any anti-inflammatory drug, decongestant (often in an antihistamine), antidepressants (Prozac, Paxil, Adderall, Ritalin, Zoloft and Effexor), sleep aids (Ambien and Lunesta), and cleaning supplies (bleach, toilet bowl cleaner and oven cleaner).  Again, this is not an exhaustive list.  These are just the common drugs that people have in their home and their pets can get into them.

·       Of course, pets can eat anything that can get stuck in the intestinal tract which can be life threatening.  We have seen dogs eat rocks, underwear, socks, tampons, Popsicle sticks, bedding, toys, and many other items that lie around the home.

These above toxins can create severe illness and even death in our furry friends.  It should never be taken lightly when your pet ingests something that could be a toxin.  It is best to call your veterinarian immediately if your pet has eaten any of the above toxins or anything that you are concerned could be a toxin.  Every toxin is treated differently depending on what the specific toxin is that was ingested.  The treatment may include an antidote that will combat the toxin and help cure the issue.  An example of that would be using vitamin K in an animal that ate rat poisoning.  It may also include supportive care which includes fluid therapy, antacids, anti-nausea medication, anti-diarrhea medication, etc.  It is also advised to keep the house as picked up as possible to avoid ingestion of items they see as “food”.  

For more information please visit the Pet Poison Helpline website.  If you need after hours care please visit Fox Valley Animal Referral Center or call 920-993-9193.