Showing posts with label poison prevention in dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poison prevention in dogs. Show all posts
Monday, March 10, 2014

March is Poison Prevention Awareness Month


March is Poison Prevention Awareness Month and it is important you keep your pets safe.  “Pets are curious and often can’t resist smelling, tasting and sometimes swallowing foods, plants and other items in our homes that interest them,” said Ahna Brutlag, DVM, MS, and assistant director at Pet Poison Helpline. Taking simple steps to poison -proofing your home room-by room can help protect your pet.

Living Room 
  • Some common household plants can be toxic to dogs and cats.  Do your research and avoid toxic plants in your home. 
  • Keep purses and backpacks in a safe place.  They often contain potential pet poisons such medications, cigarettes or sugar-free gum with xylitol.
Kitchen
  • Many common food items in our kitchen are poisonous to our pets and you should take care to make sure your pet cannot gain access. The most common include:   Chocolate (chocolate is the number one reason owners call the pet poison hotline) , Xylitol (sugar-free chewing gum), Grapes/raisins/currants, Caffeine (coffee, tea), Fatty scraps, Onions/garlic/chives, Macadamia nuts, Alcohol.
  • Remember to secure your trash too, often this is the source of pet poisoning (or gastrointestinal upset).  
Bathroom
  • Keep medications such as over-the-counter and prescription pills, inhalers and dietary supplements, safely locked up in secure cupboards, not on counter tops or in plastic bags can easily be chewed through.
  • Never medicate your pets with human products without first contacting your veterinarian. Some common human medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) are extremely poisonous to pets.
  • Secure all cleaning products
Yard and Garden
  • Yard insecticides and fertilizers can be very dangerous if ingested in large amounts.  Keep them in pet proof containers and use caution when using them in your yard.
Pet Poison Hotline Top 2013 Ingestion List for Dogs
1) Chocolate
2) Mouse and Rat Poisons (rodenticides)
3) Vitamins and Minerals
4) Human NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.)
5) Cardiac Medications (e.g., calcium channel, blockers, beta-blockers, etc.)
6) Cold and Allergy Medications
7) Antidepressants
8)  Xylitol (commonly found in sugarless candy, gum and toothpaste)
9) Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol)
10) Caffeine Pills

Pet Poison Hotline Top 2013 Ingestion List for Cats
1) Topical spot-on insecticides
2) Household Cleaners
3) Antidepressants
4) Lilies
5) Insoluble Oxalate Plants
6) Human and Veterinary NSAIDs
7) Cold and Flu Medication
8) Glow Sticks
9) ADD/ADHD Medications
10) Mouse and Rat Poison

If you think your pet may have ingested something harmful, take action immediately. Contact your veterinarian or call the ASPCA Pet Poison Hotline: 1-888-426-4435.