March is National Poison Prevention Awareness month. Unfortunately it is common for pets to become poisoned by a variety of items they come into contact with. Sometimes the poisoning is due to pets getting into something, and sometimes it's due to owners giving their pets something that they don't know is harmful.
According to the Pet Poison Helpline, the Top 10 Toxins in the Kitchen are:
- chocolate - grapes, rasins, currants - xylitol & sugar free candy
- fatty table scraps - onnions & garlic - compost - human medications
- macadamia nuts - household cleaners - unbaked bread dough & alchohol
In 2010, The Animal Poison Control Center had 167,000 poisoning cases, and reported that the number one culprit was human medications. Among the list of harmful human medications are Pain Relievers (Advil, Aleve, Motrin, Tylenol (Acetominiphen)), Antidepressants (Zoloft, Cymbalta, Effexor), ADD/ADHD Meds (Ritalin, Vyvanse), Sleep Aids, Muscle Relaxants, and Heart medications. Sometimes pet owners think their pet needs a certain medication, and since it's alright for humans to take it, it must be alright for their pet. This is incorrect! Most often human medications given to pets can cause a range of health problems from stomach upset to organ failure and death.
Keep your pet safe by making sure that any potentially harmful products are safely stored out of reach. Treat your pets as you would a human child by storing chemicals and medications in locked cabinets or closets. Continually scan the area (even get down on your hands & knees to be on your pet's level) for anything that your pet could accidentally ingest or come into contact with. This can also include children's toys (glow sticks/necklaces, small parts), sewing notions, clothing, and decorations (tinsel, easter grass, liquid potpourri), and pest control products. Before you give any medication, even flea drops or dewormers, read the package instructions carefully! Many over the counter products for pets can cause harmful side effects or poisoning, especially when used incorrectly.
Please call your veterinarian before you give your pet any over the counter medications, flea control, etc. You may think you're saving time and money by avoiding a trip to the vet, but more often than not, you end up at the vet anyways with dangerous side effects of these over the counter and human medications.
If your pet does happen to ingest something, make sure you know what he/she ingested (or came into contact with), the strength and volume of the poison, and when the poisoning occurred. It's often helpful to have the container handy as the vet or poison control person will ask you questions about the product.
Call the Animal Poison Control Center: 1-888-426-4435. You may also call the Pet Poison Helpline: 1-800-213-6680. Both numbers may have a fee to call, however you will be put into contact with staff who handle only these types of calls and they can quickly tell you what you need to do to help your pet. You may also call your veterinarian, however for toxins such as human medications, various cleaners, and plants, your vet will have to look these up. Animal Poison Control will likely be faster and more thorough with their answers and recommendations.
Do NOT assume that because your pet swallowed something toxic that you must make it vomit. Some toxins will cause more harm when your pet vomits. Some pets also need hospitalized after ingesting something toxic. Please call your vet or Animal Poison Control before you try to treat your pet at home.
Remember-watch your pet carefully, never give any medication or treatment without first consulting your vet, and call Animal Poison Control if your pet ingests something poisonous. Visit www.petpoisonhelpline.com/isthatpoisonous or www.aspca.org for lists of potential hazards for your pet.