With March being ‘Pet Poison Prevention’ month, it’s a good time to brush up on the top toxins for our pets, the signs of poisoning and what you can do if your pet is poisoned.
What are the top toxins for pets?
Dogs:
1. Chocolate
2. Poisons
3. Medication (Tylenol, anti-inflammatory, stimulants)
4. Grapes and Raisins
5. Xylitol (sugar-free gum)
6. Fertilizers
Cats:
1. Cleaning products
2. Plants such as lilies
3. Medication (Tylenol, anti-inflammatory, stimulants)
4. Onions and garlic
5. Poisons
6. Essential Oils
The Signs of Poisoning
Sometimes, the signs of pet poisoning can day several days to show up and can be subtle at first. Some signs that your pet may have been poisoned are:
- Racing heart
- Drooling
- Vomiting/Diarrhea
- Gums may be pale or gray
- Racing heart
- Trouble breathing
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Excessive thirst or urination
What can you do?
If you think that your pet may have been poisoned, the number one move is to stay calm. Call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline. If your pet is exhibiting any of the signs that they may have been poisoned, seek immediate veterinarian treatment. If you can, bring the ingredients of what your pet ingested to show your veterinarian. Being able to tell how much your pet may have eaten, any symptoms witnessed and how much time elapsed since ingesting will help too.
The easiest way of avoiding a scary situation is to know what is poisonous to your pet in your home and your surrounding environment. Practice prevention and store any cleaning products, medications, or chemicals far out of reach from your pet.