March is Poison prevention awareness month! So here are 7 common household toxins that can be dangerous to pets.
- Rodenticides- When it comes to rodent baits it does not matter what form or color it comes in (block, pellet, granule, blue, green, red, tan etc.) they are all highly toxic. There are 3 important things to remember if you suspect your pet has ingested rodent poison. First, Contact your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY! The toxins in most rodent baits are fast acting. Second, The doctor is going to need the information off the box so BRING IT WITH YOU. The active ingredient, the concentration, and/ or the EPA # all can be found on the box and this information is EXTREMELY important and will determine what type of treatment your pet will need. (Not all rodenticides are the same) Exterminators also put most of that information on the invoice, so be sure to check. Lastly, STAY CALM! If you panic so will your pet.
2. Antifreeze. Antifreeze is a serious threat to our pets because it is found in almost every home or garage, and can easily be found spilled on streets and/or parking lots. The most common ingestion is from licking it off the ground or off paws after walking through it. A lethal dose in cats can be as little as 1 teaspoon and in dogs as little as 1 tablespoon. Antifreeze is fast acting so time is important. Contact your veterinarian immediately. If treated within 4 hours for cats and 8 hours for dog prognosis is fair to good. If untreated death occurs within 24-48 hours after exposure.
3. Cleaning Products. The main concern with detergents is chemical burns on the skin, the pads of the feet or the GI tract, if ingested. Drano, Ajax, Windex, bleach and SO many other household cleaners should be watched carefully when in use and stored in a safe place when not in use. The chemicals destroy tissue on contact by acid or alkaline burns. Even soap and detergents can be mild irritants, especially if ingested. More deep penetrating tissue damage can occur from stronger alkaline products and severe systemic disease can be caused by pine oils or other oil based products.
4. Heavy Metals. Many heavy metals can be very toxic to your pet and surprisingly accessible. The main source of Zinc toxicity in dogs is by ingesting pennies. The metal interacts with the dog’s Red Blood Cells (RBC) and can cause weakness, trembling, loss of appetite and the pennies themselves can lead to Gastrointestinal (GI) blockage, that may require surgical intervention.
Lead is also commonly found in toys, drapery weights, fishing weights, even batteries. Signs of lead poisoning can be vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, depression, blindness tremors, and in-coordination. Onset is usually quick. Other signs such has anorexia, convulsions, tremors, blindness, anemia, or renal failure have been seen.
5. Liquid Potpourri. Cats are especially attracted to the scents of some heated liquid potpourri. Cats usually consider it food or at least worth trying, therefore liquid potpourri can cause severe oral, ocular, and dermal burns (mouth, eyes, skin) in cats. This occurs when cats lick the heated liquid in simmer pots or by pawing at or walking through spills and then grooming the heated liquid off themselves or licking the spilled liquid.
6. Ice Melt. Ice melts are irritants to the skin (from walking on it) and mouth (from licking it off their feet) of our pets. If you use ice melts in the winter be diligent in wiping clean your pets feet every time it is out. Ingestion of ice melt results in excessive drooling, depression, and vomiting. Since most Ice melts are made of various salts severe electrolyte imbalances can also occur. If you suspect your pet is reacting to exposure to ice melt contact your veterinarian immediately.
7. Pesticides. Herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers are generally highly toxic. If used be sure to keep your pet out of any area that has been treated with a pesticide. Most pesticides contain heavy metals that cause severe intestinal upset and possible GI obstruction. Most dangerous pesticides are snail bait (metaldehyde) fly bait (methomyl) and Zinc Phosphide (Mole and gopher bait) Zinc Phosphide creates a toxic gas that build up inside the animal that is also very toxic to people. If you find an animal that you suspect was exposed to a Zinc Phosphide pesticide stay away from the animal and call your local Animal Control or ASPCA.