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Safe Gardening
Do you have a green thumb? Many home owners use this time of year to begin making their yards bloom with new grass and beautiful flowers. Be aware when using fertilizers and pesticides to keep your pet’s exposure to these products at a minimum. N-P-K- fertilizers (containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium salts) can cause mild gastrointestinal upset, and also skin irritation on the paws. Fertilizers containing greater than 1% iron can cause iron toxicity if ingested by a dog.
When you are done making your lawn look its best, it is wise to store all fertilizers and pesticides where children and pets cannot get to them. Save the original packaging for reference in case of a later ingestion.
Another potential toxin for pets is cocoa bean mulch. Dogs who consume enough cocoa bean shell mulch could potentially develop signs similar to that of chocolate poisoning, including vomiting and diarrhea. In cases where very large amounts of mulch have been consumed, muscle tremors or other more serious neurological signs could occur.
Poisons
The cold weather often brings rodents into the home. Home owners and exterminators will place rodenticide in small nooks and crannies that they believe are not accessible to pets. However, this is seldom the case. These products are made to attract rodents by their smell and taste and will also attract our pets.
Most rodenticides are anti-coagulants. This means that they work by causing the blood not to clot within the rodent, leading to fatal hemorrhage. Unfortunately, this will also occur in pets that ingest the poisons or ingest a rodent that has eaten the rodenticide. Clinical signs that your pet may show result from internal bleeding and include labored breathing, bloody vomit, bloody stool, and bruising of the skin.
If you suspect that your pet has ingested a rodenticide (a chewed up package or brown grains or blue-green pellets are on the floor), you must bring your pet and the container to your veterinarian immediately. If the ingestion was within the last 2-3 hours, your veterinarian will most likely induce vomiting and administer activated charcoal to prevent further absorption of the poison. The antidote is vitamin K1 and is administered at home.
When the pet is presented with evidence of internal bleeding, whole blood or plasma transfusions may be required with the vitamin K1 . Other supportive care may be required as well.
Toxins
Did you know that grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs? These foods can cause vomiting and diarrhea as well as acute kidney failure.
Grapes and raisins can cause initial gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea) and acute renal (kidney) failure. The exact mechanism of toxicity remains unknown. At this time, all cases of grape or raisin ingestion should be considered potentially serious.
Vomiting is one of the initial signs of toxicity and can occur within the first several hours after ingestion. Other initial signs include diarrhea, lethargy, and increased water consumption.
Signs of kidney damage can occur within 24 hours or even several days after ingestion. Signs of kidney failure include anorexia, lethargy, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. A diagnosis is based on history of exposure to grapes or raisins and clinical signs. Blood analysis can be performed to assess the dog’s kidney function.
Treatment can vary, but often includes inducing vomiting, activated charcoal administration and intravenous fluid administration to protect the kidneys. Fluid administration for the first 48 hours can help prevent acute kidney damage from developing.
HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS
- Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he drink it.
- Tinsel is a light-catching “toy” that’s easy for pets to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It’s best to brighten your tree with something other than tinsel.
- By now you know not to feed your pet chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising pet will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans.
- Looking to stuff your pet’s stockings? Choose gifts that are safe. Dogs have been known to tear their toys apart and swallowing the pieces, which can then become lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines. Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible. Long, stringy things are a feline’s dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that’s too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer—and tons of play sessions together.
- Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic.
- Fatty and spicy foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won’t lead to costly medical bills.
- Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws’ reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet’s mouth.
- If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.
- Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the hubbub.
- As you count down to the new year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat’s intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears.
Antifreeze Precautions
Antifreeze poisoning typically happens when antifreeze drips from a car’s radiator, where it is licked off the ground and ingested by a pet. Your dog may also come into contact with antifreeze that has been added to a toilet bowl.
This occurs in homes where the residents will use antifreeze during the cold months to "winterize" their pipes. Even if you do not take this action in your own home, it is something to be aware of when visiting other homes, or when vacationing at a winter residence.
It does not take a significant amount of ethylene glycol to cause fatal damage to the body. Less than three ounces of antifreeze is sufficient to poison a medium-sized dog. Antifreeze poisoning affects the brain, liver, and kidneys.
Ethylene glycol is also found in engine coolant and hydraulic brake fluids.
Symptoms
Some common signs of antifreeze poisoning in dogs and cats include:
· Drunken behavior
· Euphoria/Delirium
· Wobbly, uncoordinated movements
· Nausea/Vomiting
· Excessive urination
· Diarrhea
· Rapid heart beat
· Depression
· Weakness
· Seizures/Convulsions/Shaking
· Fainting
· Coma
Dogs that have consumed antifreeze in very small quantity may survive, but will develop kidney failure within days of ingestion. Unfortunately, death due to kidney damage is common among animals that have been poisoned by antifreeze.
Prevention
Antifreeze poisoning can be easily avoided by following a few simple precautions:
1. Keep antifreeze containers tightly closed and stored out of the reach of pets.
2. Take care not to spill antifreeze, and if it is spilled, ensure that it is immediately and thoroughly cleaned up.
3. Dispose of used antifreeze containers properly.
4. Check the radiator of your car regularly, and repair leaks immediately.
5. Do not allow your dog to wander unattended where there is access to antifreeze (e.g., roads, gutters, garages, and driveways).
6. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has labeled propylene glycol safe and it is now used for antifreeze. Look for antifreeze with this ingredient instead, to keep your pet safer from accidental poisoning.
Seizures / Convulsions
A seizure is any sudden and uncontrolled movement of the animal's body caused by abnormal brain activity. Seizures may be very severe and affect all of the body, or quite mild, affecting only a portion of the pet. The pet may or may not seem conscious or responsive, and may urinate or have a bowel movement.
Seizure activity that lasts longer than 3 to 5 minutes can cause severe side effects, such as fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) or brain (cerebral edema). A dramatic rise in body temperature (hyperthermia) can also result, causing internal organ damage.
Seizures can be caused by epilepsy, toxins, low blood sugar, brain tumors and a host of other medical conditions. All pets that have a seizure should have lab tests to help diagnose the underlying cause, and make sure their organs can tolerate any medications that may be needed to control seizures. Once underlying diseases are ruled out, some pets require medications such as phenobarbital or potassium bromide, among others, to control seizures. These medications may require frequent dose adjustments and monitoring of blood levels, so it is best to have an open and honest discussion with your veterinarian about the effort and costs involved in treating your pet for seizures.
What to Do :
- Protect the pet from injuring herself during or after the seizure. Keep her from falling from a height and especially keep away from water.
- Remove other pets from the area as some pets become aggressive after a seizure.
- Protect yourself from being bitten.
- Record the time the seizure begins and ends, and if it started with a certain body part (such as twitching of an eye).
- If the seizure or convulsion lasts over 3 minutes, cool the pet with cool (not cold) water on the ears, belly and feet, and seek veterinary attention at once.
- If your pet has two or more seizures in a 24-hour period, seek veterinary attention immediately.
What NOT to Do
- Do not place your hands near the pet's mouth. (They do not swallow their tongues.) You risk being bitten.
- Do not slap, throw water on, or otherwise try to startle your pet out of a seizure.
- The seizure will end when it ends, and you cannot affect it by slapping, yelling, or any other action.
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Sugar-Free Substitutes in Food/Candy
Toxic to Dogs
In both humans and dogs, the levels of blood sugar are controlled by the body’s release of insulin from the pancreas. In humans, xylitol ingestion does not cause any significant changes in insulin levels. However, in dogs, xylitol causes a fast release of insulin, which results in a rapid decrease in blood glucose (hypoglycemia). Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is used in sugar-free products such as gum and candy, as well as for baking.
Clinical signs of xylitol toxicity can develop in as few as 30 minutes after ingestion. Clinical signs may include one or more of the following:
- Vomiting
- Ataxia (uncoordinated movements)
- Depression
- Hypokalemia (decreased potassium)
- Seizures
- Coma
- Liver dysfunction and/or failure
Treatment of xylitol toxicity may include the induction of vomiting, intravenous dextrose, and/or frequent small meals.
For more information on this and other poison control questions, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center can be reached at 888-426-4435 or at www.apcc.aspca.org
Avoid Pet Poisoning!
Did you know that chocolate, coffee, and caffeine are toxic to pets? These products all contain substances called methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds and the fruit of the plant used to make coffee. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death.
Note that darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines, while baking chocolate contains the highest.
Spring and summer are the times when dog parks are full of dogs. Many of these animals are harmless, but when faced with certain conditions a dog can turn suddenly and bite. Here are some tips to prevent injuries from occurring:
- Stay close to your pet.
- Introduce your dog to other dogs and watch their responses.
- If all are friendly, then it is safe to let them play.
- If any type of aggression is shown, take your dog to another part of the park and find a new playmate.
- Do not try to break up a fight by getting in the middle. Use leashes or water to separate the dogs.
- If you or your pet receives a bite wound, seek medical help as soon as possible to prevent infection.
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