Cat and Dog Poison Alert and Emergency Help
A Companion Animal Care Article from All-Creatures.org
This Companion Animal Care article is being presented to help people
seeking reliable resources, tips, and information for companion animals.
By Dr. Michael W. Fox
January 2014
I occasionally receive desperate emails from cat and dog owners who think
that their animal companions may have been poisoned, and have not been able
to reach their veterinarians after-hours and there are no 24/7 emergency
veterinary services where they live. But now there is a solution to this
kind of animal emergency which can mean a life saved.
Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680 is a 24-hour animal poison control
service based in Minneapolis MN operated by dedicated veterinarians
available throughout the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean for pet owners and
veterinary professionals who require assistance with treating a potentially
poisoned pet. They have the ability to help every poisoned pet, with all
types of poisonings, 24 hours a day. In order to provide this critical
service, please be advised that there is a $39 per incident fee, payable by
credit card. This fee covers the initial consultation as well as all
follow-up calls associated with the management of each case.
This is their summary of the top ten toxins of concern to which dogs and
cats were exposed during the year of 2013. This list serves as a warning for
all, and will help in the prevention of pet poisoning by limiting exposure
and taking all due precautions with the kinds of chemicals we bring into our
homes and which could make our beloved animals sick and even die.
[For levels of toxicity and common signs to
watch for regarding each of the 20 items below (for cats and dogs), please
visit Pet
Poison Helpline's website.]
Dogs: Top 10 Toxins of 2013
- Chocolate: Dark equals dangerous! Bakers and dark chocolate are the most
toxic, and milk chocolate if ingested in large amounts.
- Xylitol: This sweetener found in sugarless chewing gum and candy,
medications and nasal sprays causes a rapid drop in blood sugar and liver
failure only in dogs (not cats).
- NSAIDs: Ibuprofen, naproxen, etc., found in products like Advil, Motrin, and
Aleve. Dogs don’t metabolize these drugs well; ingestions result in stomach
ulcers and kidney failure.
- Over the counter cough, cold and allergy medications: Those that contain
acetaminophen or decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine,
are particularly toxic.
- Rodenticides (mouse poison): These may cause internal bleeding (brodifacoum,
bromadiolone, etc.) or brain swelling (bromethalin), even in small amounts.
- Grapes and raisins: These harmless human foods cause kidney damage in dogs.
- Insect bait stations: These rarely cause poisoning in dogs – the bigger risk
is bowel obstruction when dogs swallow the plastic casing.
- Prescription ADD/ADHD medications: These amphetamines such as Adderall,
Concerta, Dexedrine, and Vyvanse can cause tremors, seizures, cardiac
problems and death in pets.
- Glucosamine joint supplements: Overdose of tasty products such as Cosequin
and Move Free typically only cause diarrhea; however, in rare cases, liver
failure can develop.
- Silica gel packets and oxygen absorbers: Silica gel packs, found in new
shoes, purses or backpacks, is rarely a concern. The real threats are the
iron-containing oxygen absorbers found in food packages like beef jerky or
pet treats, which can cause iron poisoning.
Cats: Top 10 Toxins of 2013
- Lilies: Plants in the Lilium species, such as Easter, Tiger, and Asiatic
lilies, cause kidney failure in cats. All cat owners must be aware of these
highly toxic plants!
- Household cleaners: Most general purpose cleaners (e.g., Windex, Formula
409) are fairly safe, but concentrated products like toilet bowl or drain
cleaners can cause chemical burns.
- Flea and tick spot-on products for dogs: Those that are pyrethroid based
(e.g., Zodiac, K9 Advantix, Sergeant’s, etc.) cause tremors and seizures and
can be deadly to cats.
- Antidepressants: Cymbalta and Effexor topped our antidepressant list in
2013. Cats seem strangely drawn to these medications. Beware – ingestion can
cause severe neurologic and cardiac effects.
- NSAIDs: Cats are even more sensitive than dogs to drugs like ibuprofen and
naproxen. Even veterinary specific NSAIDs like Rimadyl and Meloxicam should
be used with caution.
- Prescription ADD/ADHD medications: These amphetamines such as Adderall,
Concerta, Dexedrine, and Vyvanse can cause tremors, seizures, cardiac
problems and death.
- Over the counter cough, cold and allergy medications: Those that contain
acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) are particularly toxic, as they damage red
blood cells and cause liver failure.
- Plants containing insoluble calcium oxalate crystals: Common houseplants
like the peace lily, philodendron, and pothos can cause oral/upper GI
irritation, foaming at the mouth, and inflammation when ingested, but severe
symptoms are uncommon.
- Household insecticides: Thankfully, most household sprays and powders are
fairly safe, but it’s best to keep curious kitties away until the products
have dried or settled.
- Glow sticks and glow jewelry: These irresistible “toys” contain a chemical
called dibutyl phthalate. When it contacts the mouth, pain and excessive
foaming occurs, but the signs quickly resolve when the cat eats food or
drinks water.
The best thing concerned pet owners can do is to be educated about most
common pet toxins, which are listed above, and then pet-proof their homes.
However, accidents happen and if a pet may have ingested something toxic,
Pet Poison Helpline recommends taking action immediately.
Contact a
veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680. Pet Poison Helpline
also has a helpful iPhone application with an extensive database of over 200
poisons dangerous to cats and dogs. “Pet Poison Help” is available on iTunes
for $1.99.
I would add a warning about Polymer toy balls that significantly expand
when wet. They have been identified as posing a potentially serious safety
hazard to children, according to both the Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) and Consumer Reports. Swallowing these balls and decorative beads
could cause intestinal blockage in a child or animal. Heaven forbid that
these polymers be added to cat litter to increase absorption, putting cats
at potential risk after licking their paws and those dogs who get into the
cat litter box to clean it up!
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