March is Pet Poison 

Prevention

Awareness Month

Is your house pet proof? Everyday items can turn into a pet poison emergency. Did you know that Xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol that is used in a variety of sugar free products, is extremely toxic to pets? Because of its sweet taste and plaque fighting properties, it is frequently used as a sugar substitute in gum, mints, and toothpastes. Due to its low glycemic index, it is also being sold in bulk to substitute sugar in baking products such as muffins, cupcakes, and breads. Even seemingly small amounts of a product with xylitol can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and liver failure. If you discover your pet has ingested a product with xylitol in it, immediately call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline.  Xylitol can cause signs within 10 minutes of when it is ingested.  Initial signs of toxicity include weakness, lethargy, ataxia (incoordination), seizures, vomiting, and an increased respiratory rate.  Untreated cases can progress to liver failure over the following one to two days if a high enough dose was ingested.  There are treatments available for your pet. Treatments include dextrose (a sugar) given with IV fluids, medications to control seizures, anti-vomiting medications, and plasma and vitamin K1 (in case of liver failure).  Other medications or treatments may also be provided, depending on the individual pet’s signs.  If pets are treated promptly and appropriately they typically recover well.

Top Human Medications Toxic to Pets:     

1. Pain Relievers (Advil®, Aleve®, Motrin®,Tylenol®)

2. Antidepressants (Zoloft®, Cymbalta®, Effexor®

3.ADD/ADHD medications (Ritalin®, Vyvanse®)

4. Sleep Aids (Klonopin®, Ambien®, Lunesta®)

5. Muscle Relaxants (Lioresal®, Flexeril®)

6. Heart Medications (Cartia®, Cardizem®)

Top 10 Toxins in the Kitchen:

1. Chocolate

2. Grapes, raisins, & currants

3. Xylitol/sugar-free gum/candy

4. Fatty table scraps

5. Onions & garlic

6. Compost

7. Human medications

8. Macadamia nuts

9. Household cleaners

10. Unbaked bread dough/alcohol

Top 10 Toxins for Cats:

1. Topical spot-on flea products

2. Household cleaners

3. Antidepressants

4. Lilies

5. Insoluble oxalate plants (Philodendron, Umbrella plant, Elephant's ear,etc.)

6. Human and veterinary NSAIDS

7. Cold and flu medications

8.Glow sticks

9. ADD/ADHD medications/amphetamines

10. Mouse and rat poison 

These are just a few things that are toxic to your pet. For more information on Pet Poison Awareness visit the ASPCA poison control page or the Pet Poison Helpline.       

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/