Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2009
With various dangers lurking in corners and cabinets, the
home can be a minefield of poisons for our pets. In 2009, the
ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, IL,
handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic
substances, many of which included everyday household products.
Don’t leave it up to Fido or Fluffy to keep themselves safe.
Below is a list of the top 10 pet poisons that affected our
furry friends in 2009.
Human Medications
For several years, human medications have been number one on
the ASPCA’s list of common hazards, and 2009 was no exception.
Last year, the ASPCA managed 45,816 calls involving prescription
and over-the-counter drugs such as painkillers, cold
medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements. Pets often
snatch pill vials from counters and nightstands or gobble up
medications accidentally dropped on the floor, so it’s essential
to keep meds tucked away in hard-to-reach cabinets.
Insecticides
In our effort to battle home invasions by unwelcome pests, we
often unwittingly put our furry friends at risk. In 2009, our
toxicologists fielded 29,020 calls related to insecticides. One
of the most common incidents involved the misuse of flea and
tick products—such as applying the wrong topical treatment to
the wrong species. Thus, it’s always important to talk to your
pet’s veterinarian before beginning any flea and tick control
program.
People Food
People food like grapes, raisins, avocado and products
containing xylitol, like gum, can seriously disable our furry
friends, and accounted for more than 17,453 cases in 2009. One
of the worst offenders—chocolate—contains large amounts of
methylxanthines, which, if ingested in significant amounts, can
cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination,
hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm,
tremors and seizures.
Plants
Common houseplants were the subject of 7,858 calls to APCC in
2009. Varieties such as azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies,
kalanchoe and schefflera are often found in homes and can be
harmful to pets. Lilies are especially toxic to cats, and can
cause life-threatening kidney failure even in small amounts.
Veterinary Medications
Even though veterinary medications are intended for pets,
they’re often misapplied or improperly dispensed by well-meaning
pet parents. In 2009, the ASPCA managed 7,680 cases involving
animal-related preparations such as non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-wormers,
antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements.
Rodenticides
Last year, the ASPCA received 6,639 calls about pets who had
accidentally ingested rat and mouse poisons. Many baits used to
attract rodents contain inactive ingredients that are attractive
to pets as well. Depending on the type of rodenticide,
ingestions can lead to potentially life-threatening problems for
pets including bleeding, seizures or kidney damage.
Household Cleaners
Everybody knows that household cleaning supplies can be toxic
to adults and children, but few take precautions to protect
their pets from common agents such as bleaches, detergents and
disinfectants. Last year, the ASPCA received 4,143 calls related
to household cleaners. These products, when inhaled by our furry
friends, can cause serious gastrointestinal distress and
irritation to the respiratory tract.
Heavy Metals
It’s not too much loud music that constitutes our next pet
poison offender. Instead, it’s heavy metals such as lead, zinc
and mercury, which accounted for 3,304 cases of pet poisonings
in 2009. Lead is especially pernicious, and pets are exposed to
it through many sources, including consumer products, paint
chips, linoleum, and lead dust produced when surfaces in older
homes are scraped or sanded.
Garden Products
It may keep your grass green, but certain types of fertilizer
and garden products can cause problems for outdoor cats and
dogs. Last year, the ASPCA fielded 2,329 calls related to
fertilizer exposure, which can cause severe gastric upset and
possibly gastrointestinal obstruction.
Chemical Hazards
In 2009, the ASPCA handled approximately 2,175 cases of pet
exposure to chemical hazards. A category on the rise, chemical
hazards—found in ethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinner,
drain cleaners and pool/spa chemicals—form a substantial danger
to pets. Substances in this group can cause gastrointestinal
upset, depression, respiratory difficulties and chemical burns.
Prevention is really key to avoiding accidental exposure, but
if you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please
contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center’s
24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.
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