| Pet poisoning prevention: Is your home dangerous to | | | | getting professional advice. Successful poison |
| your pets? It might be if you don't know what to | | | | treatment requires immediate action and many |
| watch out for. Many things found commonly around | | | | antidotes must be given within 12 hours of toxin |
| our homes are deadly to animals. Did you know that | | | | ingestion. I recommend that you call the ASPCA |
| grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs? That garlic and | | | | Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-4-ANI-HELP). |
| onions are toxic to cats? It's true. Items as simple as | | | | immediately and head to your veterinarian as soon as |
| chocolate, coffee grounds, and even apple seeds can | | | | possible. If possible, always bring the container to the |
| be fatal if ingested by your pet. In this article, we | | | | veterinarian so that the ingredients can be properly |
| discuss how to prevent pet poisoning, and what to | | | | identified.The doctor that takes your call at the |
| do if you suspect you pet had been poisoned.Poison | | | | ASPCA is specially trained in poison treatment and |
| PreventionThe best method of poison prevention is | | | | has access to the ASPCA's extensive database of |
| knowledge. Know what items are hazardous to your | | | | poison treatment information. They will research the |
| pet and if you have any of these in your home. | | | | poison in question and provide you with immediate |
| Many organizations such as Cat World and the | | | | corrective steps to take. At the end of your call, the |
| ASPCA maintain lists of common household items | | | | ASPCA doctor will give you a case number. Be sure |
| that are toxic to your pets. Here are a few | | | | to make a note of your case number. Your |
| commonly recommended steps to prevent household | | | | veterinarian will use your case number to get in touch |
| pet poisoning: | | | | with the doctor who has been treating your pet and |
| Keep prescription and over-the-counter medicine out | | | | discuss the information they have on the poison in |
| of your pets reach. Vitamins, painkillers, cold | | | | question.Frequently your veterinarian will prescribe |
| medicines, etc can be lethal to animals, even in small | | | | 1tbsp of hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting, so it |
| doses. | | | | pays to keep a bottle on hand. But because many |
| Be aware of the plants you have in and around your | | | | chemicals (like gasoline) pose a greater risk to your |
| home. Azalea, oleander, easter lily, and many other | | | | pet on the way out, do not induce vomiting unless |
| plant species can be fatal if ingested. | | | | instructed by a trained professional.The bottom |
| Make sure your pets do not go on lawns or gardens | | | | linePet poisonings can almost always be prevented. |
| treated with fertilizers, insecticides, etc until they | | | | Remember that the best method of poison |
| have dried completely. Always store these products | | | | prevention is knowledge. Help your pet be safe and |
| where they are inaccessible to your pets. If you are | | | | make a diligent effort to educate yourself.Authors |
| uncertain about any product, consult your | | | | Note: A call to the ASPCA's poison control center will |
| veterinarian. | | | | cost you $45, but it gets your vet access to the |
| Be alert for antifreeze leaking from your car. It | | | | latest and most accurate poisioning information |
| tastes sweet and ingesting just a small amount can | | | | available. Much of this information is compiled from |
| cause an animal's death. | | | | actual cases and manufacturers documents and is not |
| Consider using animal-friendly antifreeze products | | | | found in your vet's medical books. I've have the |
| that use propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol. | | | | misfortune of using the service once before when |
| Be conscious of your pet products, particularly those | | | | my puppy ingested Tylenol. I am pleased to report |
| containing pesticides like flea control products. Many | | | | that my dog is fine, and even my top notch vet was |
| of these products are not interchangeable and can | | | | impressed by how much information the ASPCA |
| be fatal if used on the wring species. If a product is | | | | doctor had that he was previously unaware of.Philip |
| for use only on dogs, it should never be used on cats | | | | Doolittle is a lifelong animal lover, a pet rescuer, and |
| and vice, versa. | | | | the owner of the website. |
| When using rat poison, slug baits, or ant/roach traps, | | | | |
| place the products in areas that are inaccessible to | | | | sells the ultra-powerful Odor Destroyer brand of pet |
| your pet. Some bait contains sweet smelling | | | | odor removal products and other products |
| ingredients such as peanut butter or sugar that can | | | | engineered specifically for the prevention and |
| attract your pets. | | | | elimination of difficult pet odors like cat and dog urine. |
| What to do if you suspect poisoningIf you are in | | | | |
| doubt whether a product is toxic, call a veterinarian | | | | also offers a free monthly pet information |
| immediately. The first minutes of a poisoning are | | | | newsletter that contains articles of interest to pet |
| critical so never wait for signs to develop before | | | | owners. |