|
Toxins
In The Home Could Harm Pet
Antifreeze, chocolate, dog flea products, tobacco, houseplants . . . these
items you may have in your home can be life-threatening to a pet. Quick
response when your pet has been exposed to a toxin may save its life, so add
the phone number of the National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC) to
your list of emergency numbers: 1-888-4ANI-HELP or 1-888-426-4435 or
1-900-680-0000 (a consultation fee applies).
This time of year can be dangerous to your animals as the weather cools down
and cars are tuned up. Anti-freeze smells and tastes sweet to animals and
children alike, and it kills.
"Some animals will consume ethylene glycol voluntarily, even when water is
readily available," says Dr. Jill Richardson, a veterinarian at NAPCC in
Urbana, Illinois. The NAPCC, founded at the University of Illinois College
of Veterinary Medicine 30 years ago, became a service of the American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1996. "Anti-freeze will act as a depressant and may cause drunkenness and ataxia.
After the initial
depression, animals may appear to recover, but actually they rapidly
deteriorate," says Dr. Richardson. Without intervention failure of heart, lungs, and
kidneys eventually kills the animal. With this type of toxicosis, every minute
counts. Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has
ingested anti-freeze.
You may put the pumpkin costume on Sparky for trick-or-treating, but don't
let anyone give him chocolate candy. Baking chocolate is the most dangerous
to your pet; as little as one ounce can be life-threatening. More mild
chocolates used in Halloween treats are not treats for your pet's body.
Vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness and hyperactivity are signs that may
precede a more serious cardiac malfunction or respiratory failure. Dog flea products have the word "dog" in their names for a reason. Some of
these products, especially dips and spot-ons, contain pyrethroids and/or
organophosphates. Cats, rodents, and fish are susceptible to toxicosis when
exposed to such products. So if Whiskers is treated with the wrong product,
he could experience severe tremors or seizures. Some highly susceptible cats
can get permethrin toxicosis by just rubbing against your newly treated dog.
Bathe the product off your cat with a mild detergent and consult your
veterinarian.
Tobacco is generally unpalatable and pets won’t eat it, but small animals
have been known to apparent from 15 minutes up to several hours after
exposure. Your pet may stare into space, wretch, vomit, salivate, cramp,
bloat, urinate a lot, or have diarrhea," says Dr. Larissa Hautekeete,
another NAPCC veterinarian. In addition, veterinarians are concerned that
pets, like people, may suffer long-term detrimental health effects from
exposure to second-hand smoke.
Plants in the home can also be toxic. For example, cats may die if they
nibble on Easter or other kinds of lilies. Observe suspected herbivorous
cats carefully for signs that may indicate toxicoses: walking like a drunk,
vomiting, shaking, or frequent urination or defecation.
Toxic reactions can be very different in humans and pets. If you suspect
that your pet has been in contact with a toxic substance, call your veterinarian as soon as possible or call the National Animal Poison Control
Center. With full-time professional staffing, an extensive collection of
scientific journals and books, and a sophisticated database, the veterinarians at the NAPCC can cross-reference multiple toxins and chemicals
and counsel you about the best action.
Source: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
|
