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Pets
and Poisons Most of us wouldn't hesitate to "child-proof" cabinets and storage areas that contain dangerous chemicals when there is a young child in the house. Our four-legged children, however, can be just as clever and mischievous as the average 2-year old when it comes to getting into places where they don't belong. Please be sure to keep household chemicals, insecticides, and poisons securely stored so that your dog, no matter how bored he may be, cannot get into them. Most dangerous substances are easy to spot, they are the same things that are harmful to us. An extensive list of harmful and dangerous substances is included in this article along with some first aid guidelines. Save this article and keep it someplace where you can find it easily. Remember, your golden can't read the warning labels on these products so be a best friend and protect your pet. If you need to *induce* vomiting, first make sure that it's appropriate to do so. Don't induce vomiting if:
To induce vomiting:
1. Local Poison Control Centers Check the emergency room of the local hospital and ask for the number of the local Poison Control Center. You should have this number up on the refrigerator alongside the vet's number and the emergency care number.
2. National Animal Poison Control Center The NAPCC is a non-profit service of the University of Illinois and is the first animal-oriented poison center in the United States. Since 1978, it has provided advice to animal owners and conferred with veterinarians about poisoning exposures. The NAPCC's phones are answered by licensed veterinarians and board-certified veterinary toxicologists. The NAPCC is staffed with veterinary health professionals who are familiar with how different species respond to poisons and treatment protocols. They have specialized information that lets the experienced NAPCC staff make specific recommendations for your animals. Depending on which option is chosen, the charge is $2.75 per minute when using the 900-680-0000 number, or $25.00 per case (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express only) when using the 800-548-2423 number. With either access, the NAPCC will do as many follow-up calls as necessary in critical cases, and, if you wish, will consult with your veterinarian. Some clients of the NAPCC Animal Product Safety Service will absorb the cost of your call. When you call, be ready to provide:
If you are unable to access the 900 number, call your telephone company for assistance or use the 800 number. When the 800 number is used, your credit card number will be required in addition to the above information.
3. Foods Chocolate, tea, coffee, cola: It is not chocolate itself that is poisonous to dogs, it is the theobromine, a naturally occurring compound found in chocolate. Theobromine causes different reactions to different dogs: dogs with health problems, especially epilepsy, are more affected by theobromine than healthy dogs. Theobromine can trigger epileptic seizures in dogs prone to or at risk of epilepsy. The size of the dog will also be a major factor: the smaller the dog, the more affected it is by the same amount than a larger dog. Therefore, toxicity is described on a mg/Kg basis. Furthermore, theobromine can cause cardiac irregularity, especially if the dog becomes excited. Cardiac arrhythmia can precipitate a myocardial infarct which can kill the dog. Theobromine also irritates the GI tract and in some dogs can cause internal bleeding which in some cases kills them a day or so later. Theobromine is also present in differing amounts in different kinds of chocolate. Milk chocolate has 44-66 mg/oz, dark chocolate 450 mg/oz and baking/bitter chocolate or cocoa powder varies as much as 150-600 mg/oz. How much chocolate a dog can survive depends on its weight (and other unknown circumstances). Under 200 mg theobromine per kg body weight no deaths have been observed. Theobromine will stay in the bloodstream between 14 and 20 hours. It goes back into the bloodstream through the stomach lining and takes a long time for the body to filter out. Because theobromine is eliminated through the liver rather than through the kidneys, it takes a long time to eliminate it. Within two hours of ingestion, try inducing vomiting unless your dog is markedly stimulated, comatose, or has lost the gag reflex. If your dog has eaten a considerable amount of chocolate, or displays any of the above symptoms, take it to the vet without delay. In the absence of major symptoms, administer activated charcoal. The unabsorbed theobromine will chemically bond to this and be eliminated in the feces. In pinch, burnt (as in thoroughly burnt, crumbling in hand) toast will do. Nuts: Walnuts are poisonous to dogs and should be avoided. Many nuts are not good for dogs in general, their high phosporous content is said to possibly lead to bladder stones. Misc: Onions, especially raw onions, have been shown to trigger hemolytic anemia in dogs. Potato poisonings among people and dogs have occurred. Solanum alkaloids can be found in in green sprouts and green potato skins, which occurs when the tubers are exposed to sunlight during growth or after harvest. The relatively rare occurrence of actual poisoning is due to several factors: solanine is poorly absorbed; it is mostly hydrolyzed into less toxic solanidinel; and the metabolites are quickly eliminated. Note that cooked, mashed potatoes are fine for dogs, actually quite nutritious and digestible. Turkey skin is currently thought to cause acute pancreatis in dogs.
4. Poisonous house plants In assessing the risk to your dog from these plants, you need to consider both the age of your dog and it's propensity to chew on plants. Many of the below toxic plants rarely cause problems because most dogs don't chew them -- the exceptions being, of course, young puppies who are inclined to explore the world with their mouths, teething dogs who may chew on EVERYTHING, and older dogs that are simply fond of chewing. Oleander, for example, is rather toxic, but most cases of poisoning involve 1) cattle, other grazing livestock 2) puppies and 3) human babies/toddlers. Dumb cane is probably the one plant that should always be kept out of reach, since it takes only one nibble to have a potentially fatal situation.
Plants
that give rash after contact with the skin or mouth:
Irritating plants (toxic oxalates), especially the mouth gets swollen; tongue pain; sore lips; some swell so quickly a tracheotomy is needed before asphyxiation:
Toxic plants - may contain wide variety of poisons. Most cause vomiting, abdominal pain, cramps. Some cause tremors, heart and respiratory and/or kidney problems, which are difficult for owner to interpret
5. Poisonous outdoor plants Plants that produce vomiting and diarrhea in some cases:
Plants that may produce vomiting, abdominal pain, and in some cases diarrhea: horse chestnut buckeye western yew apricot, almond rain tree monkey pod english holly peach, cherry privet wild cherry mock orange japanese plum american yew bird of paradise balsam pear english yew black locust. Plants with varied toxic effect:
Hallucinogenic plants:
Plants that cause convulsions:
6. Poisonous household items
7. Poisonous animals Bufo Toads: Found in various areas, especially in south Florida. Very poisonous it can kill a small dog in a matter of minutes. It burns the mucous membrane of the mouth (gums) which is why they drool and foam, and that's also how it enters the bloodstream. It kills by elevating the heart rate and blood pressure to deadly levels, similar to the effects of chocolate. There is an antidote and the effects can be lessened if you immediately flush the dog's mouth with water before taking it to the vet. |
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