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