March is Poison Prevention Month – Part 2
So what do you do if you think your pet may have ingested or come into contact with a potentially harmful substance?
1. Stay calm!
2. If your pet is not showing any signs or symptoms of illness it is still a good idea to contact your veterinarian and discuss whether or not your pet should receive medical attention.
3. If your pet is showing any signs or symptoms of illness, you should take them to a veterinarian immediately.
One thing to remember is to please try to provide as much of the following information as possible when you contact the veterinary hospital or bring your pet in to the veterinary hospital:
1. What the ingested substance is ( including all active ingredients ).
2. Keep and bring any remaining packaging material that the agent was in.
3. Approximate amount that the pet ingested or was exposed to the agent.
4. Time ( or best approximation ) of ingestion/ exposure.
All of this information will serve to better help your veterinarian provide the best medical care and treatment course for your pet.
Of course, the best way to prevent accidental poisoning of your pets is to prevent your pet from having access to the agents and knowing which items can pose a threat to them. Some helpful tips include keeping harmful agents in cabinets that are secure and/ or above a height that your pet can not reach, use trash cans with locking lids and keeping compost piles enclosed or protected from access by you pets. Always read and follow the directions on the labels regarding lawn and garden products as well as flea and tick products. Do not give your pet any medications unless approved or recommended by your veterinarian. Keep toxic plants out of your home and yard or at least out of reach from your pets.
There are two Animal Poison Control helplines, one through the ASPCA, 1-888-426-4435, and one via the PetPoison Helpline, 1-800-213-6680. Charges may apply for either service, so have a credit card handy.
Heather B., CVT
March is Poison Prevention Month – Part One
1. Foods - alcoholic beverages, chocolate ( especially dark or bakers chocolate ), coffee, onions, grapes or raisins, avocado, macadamia nuts and gums containing xylitol.
For a household pet safety checklist please visit the ASPCA Poison Control website. For a more comprehensive list of potential toxins, please check out the Pet Poison Hotline website.
Alert: Hot Dog Warning
The following Public Service Announcement is brought to you in part by RedRover, MyDogIsCool, and the sweltering staff at North Portland Veterinary Hospital.
Heat stroke is a very serious problem that can occur when weather gets nicer (or temperatures climb). In Portland we are lucky to not have to deal with heat issues all that often. However, that does mean that we need to study up on what to do in these oddly hot days. And what makes for a “hot day” you wonder?
| How Long Does It Take For A Car to Get Hot? | ||
| Outside Temperature* | Time It Takes To Heat Up… | Temperature* Inside Vehicle |
| 75 | 10 minutes | 100 |
| 75 | 30 minutes | 120 |
| 85 | 5 minutes | 90 |
| 85 | 7-10 minutes | 100 |
| 85 | 30 minutes | 120 |
| 90 | 20 minutes | 120 |
| 100 | 15 minutes | 140 |
*Temperature measured in degrees Fahrenheit.
The greenhouse effect will raise the temperature inside a vehicle quickly. Hot doggie breath (remember: panting is how dogs cool themselves — they cannot sweat) will add to the humidity making high temperatures feel even hotter. Poor pup, trying to cool off only compounds the problem. Having the windows cracked, or parking in the shade even, will have very little impact on the inside temperature.
Heat Stroke Study Guide
If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, call the local animal control agency, police or 911 right away. In Multnomah County, call 503-988-7387 and select option 1 if you see an animal is in imminent danger. If you have less pressing concerns about an animal’s welfare, you can contact Oregon Humane Society’s Investigations team.
If possible, you can also try to find the dog’s owner. Signs an animal is in distress include:
- Excessive panting
- Excessive drooling
- Increased heart rate
- Trouble breathing
- Disorientation
- Collapse or loss of consciousness
- Seizure
- Respiratory arrest
At least 14 states and many municipalities have laws that specifically address the problem of animals left in cars in extreme temperatures. These laws often authorize law enforcement officials to enter a vehicle and remove the animal. Even states without these provisions may consider leaving an animal in an enclosed car to be animal cruelty.
In Portland, you must call police or animal control to retrieve the animal, attempting to do so independently may be construed as a crime.
8 People Foods That Are Toxic To Pets – Part II
Well, we hope that you’ve all had plenty of time to digest (pun absolutely intended) Part I of last week’s blog on foods that are toxic to pets. And maybe we’ve even inspired you to stop giving your furry companions their nightly artificially-sweetened currant-flavored coffee drinks with a chocolate syrup chaser. We sincerely hope so. So now, get ready for Part II!
Onions, garlic, chives & leeks
- Where you’ll find them: The small amount of garlic sometimes found in dog treats is not enough to be toxic. However, if your cat or dog eats a yummy panful of sauteed garlic, chives, leeks or onions, poisoning could result. Ingestion of large amounts of garlic pills or powder may also cause poisoning. Garlic was once considered a home-remedy for treatment of flea infestations, but it is ineffective and not recommended by the Pet Poison Helpline.
Threat to pets: These veggies can cause red blood cell destruction and result in anemia. Ingestion of onions or garlic greater than 0.5 percent of animal’s body weight is potentially toxic. This would be equivalent to a 30 lbs. dog ingesting 2.5 oz. of onion or garlic. Cats and Japanese breeds of dog (Akita, Shiba Inu, etc.) are especially sensitive to the effects of these plants.
Signs: Onion or garlic smell on breath, pale mucous membranes due to anemia, lethargy, elevated respiratory rate, elevated heart rate, vomiting, and reduced appetite. Low blood sugar is rare but possible.
Prognosis: Excellent with early intervention and appropriate care.
Yeast-Bread Dough
- Where you’ll find it: Uncooked homemade and store-bought bread dough that contains yeast.
Threat to pets: The dark, warm interior of your pet’s stomach acts as an oven and encourages the dough to continue rising, which can then lead to bowel obstruction or a bloated abdomen. This in turn could cause the stomach to twist, which is a life-threatening situation requiring emergency abdominal surgery and treatment for shock. Also, as the yeast ferments, it releases alcohol, which could cause alcohol poisoning.
Signs: Bloat: unproductive vomiting and retching, weakness, lethargy, elevated heart rate, collapse and shock. Alcohol poisoning: Alcohol smell on the breath, neurological depression, low body temperature, low blood pressure, seizures, and respiratory failure.
Prognosis: Excellent if decontaminated soon after ingestion, and proper care is received. Poorer in cases of severe alcohol poisoning and bloat.
Alcohol
Where you’ll find it: Alcoholic drinks go without saying, but alcohol can also be found in rum-soaked cakes and candies, and dressings containing alcohol, and these can all be toxic to pets. Alcohol is also a major by-product of ingested yeast-bread dough.
Threat to pets: Even small amounts of alcohol, especially when ingested by small pets, can cause life-threatening toxicity.
Signs: Alcohol smell on the breath, neurological depression, low body temperature, low blood pressure, seizures, and respiratory failure.
Prognosis: Excellent, provided the appropriate care is received.
Fatty Foods
Where you’ll find them: Butter, oils, meat drippings, grease, chocolate, and meat scraps.
Threat to pets: Pets (especially dogs) who ingest fatty foods can develop a condition called pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Certain breeds, miniature Schnauzers in particular, are especially susceptible to developing pancreatitis.
Signs: Delayed onset vomiting 1-4 days after fatty meal has been ingested, abdominal pain, diarrhea (with or without blood), reduced appetite, lethargy.
Prognosis: Good when treated early and appropriately.
Whenever you think your pet may have ingested any foods that are potentially toxic, there is one cardinal rule: Do not wait for your pet to exhibit signs or symptoms before getting them veterinary care. Sometimes animals may not develop any outward signs for hours or days after ingestion, and sometimes they may not develop any signs at all. If you know, or even suspect, that your pet has ingested any of these foods, give us a call for guidance. Some other excellent numbers to have on hand are Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital (for the Portland area) (503)228-7281, Columbia River VetERinary Specialists (for the Vancouver area) (360)694-3007, and Animal Poison Control (888)426-4435.
Now that we’ve gone over a number of foods that our pets can’t have, we’d like to leave you with a list of goodies that are pet-safe. Enjoy!
-apples
-peas
-green beans
-unsalted, unbuttered popcorn
-carrots
-sweet potatoes
-zucchini
-squash
-ice cubes (frozen, diluted beef or chicken broth for a real treat)
-lettuce
-blueberries
