Sunday, March 20, 2016

Poison Prevention Week



Dr. Ronald Biese
Duke was rushed into our clinic because he was having severe difficulty walking.  The owners were very upset and crying, thinking the worst for their “baby” of only 3 years old.  Our team jumped into action to gather necessary history on Duke and a thorough exam.  The exam led us to certain diagnostic tests that revealed an answer that blew us away!  

He was suffering from rat poisoning which caused him to bleed into his spinal cord.  This presentation was extremely unusual and rare, but very real.  We started Vitamin K as the antidote to the chemical in rat poison and he made a full recovery. 
Dogs and even cats will eat almost anything! There are literally thousands of toxins in this world that are not an issue unless consumed.  Every year many pets die or become seriously ill from consuming something they shouldn’t have eaten.  So, as their care giver, the owner has to remain vigilant on the access they have to toxins.  

To keep our pets safe we must be mindful of what may harm our beloved furry friends:  

1.      Know what products can be used on your pet.  There are certain flea products, for instance, that can only be used on dogs and if put on a cat have serious consequences.
2.     Do NOT give a medication to your pet that hasn’t been prescribed by your veterinarian until you know it is safe and have the correct dosage.  Contact your veterinary clinic before giving any medication.  In that same vein, make sure all human medications are out of reach of your pets.  Make sure your pet doesn’t eat a human drug that may be dropped on the floor.  If you drop pills often, you may want to keep your pet out of the room until you are done taking your medication. 
3.     My advice on rat poison is DON’T USE IT, period!  There are so many times a pet owner will place rat poison in a “hidden” place.  The owner is so confident that their pet can’t get at it and they end up finding it and eating it.  What isn’t commonly known is mice will move the rat poison to their nesting place for food later in the winter.  The place they move it to is often very accessible to their pet.  Rat poison kills!!  Don’t use it!
4.     Plants tend to beautify a home.  It is wonderful to display plants in a house; however, many are toxic to pets.  Please contact your veterinarian or visit a reputable website to find which plants are toxic to your cat or dog.  Then simply don’t have those plants in your home. 
5.     There are plenty of every day foods that are toxic to a dog and/or cat.  Chocolate is the most known toxic food, but there are plenty of others that can do great harm to your pet.   The short list of most toxic foods includes chocolate, grapes/raisins, macadamia nuts, onions, garlic, any candy with xylitol (gums, breath fresheners, peanut butter, etc.), rhubarb leaves, mushrooms and others.  Avoid giving these foods to your pet, and don’t leave them accessible in any way.
6.     Chemicals such as household cleaners and antifreeze can be very toxic to your pet.  Keep all of them in a cabinet that can’t be “broken into”.  If your car leaks antifreeze, clean it up immediately.  It doesn’t take much antifreeze to kill a dog within 24 hours. 
7.     Non-food household items can pose a problem if your pet eats them.  For instance, yarn or string can get stuck in your cat’s intestines and cause serious problems.  Coins and jewelry are often eaten by dogs, because they have alluring oils from human hands.  Moth balls smell terrible, but dogs have been known to eat them and they are very toxic to animals.  It is amazing what a dog will eat that would seem impossible for them to even get into their mouths and swallow!

With the above list, it may sound daunting to keep all of the toxic things in this world away from your beloved four-legged friend, but with some common sense and being familiar with what may harm them, you can keep your pet safe.   As always, contact your veterinarian if you have any questions about anything you think may be toxic to your pet.   

For more information click on the links below

Pet Poison Help iPhone App         Fox Valley Animal Referral Center

Toxic Plant Guide