Forwarded message - for info, please visit
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_top10poisons
Animal Poison Control - Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2008
Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2008
With various dangers lurking in corners and cabinets, the
home can be a minefield of poisons for our pets. In 2008,
the ASPCA 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 ten pet poisons that affected
our furry friends in 2008.
Human Medications
For several years, human medications have been number one
on the ASPCA's list of common hazards, and 2008 was no
exception. Last year, the ASPCA managed more than 50,000
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 of unwelcome pests,
we often unwittingly put our pets at risk. In 2008, our
toxicologists fielded more than 31,000 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 certain citrus
fruit can seriously harm our furry friends, and accounted
for more than 13,500 cases in 2008. 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.
Rodenticides
Last year, the ASPCA received approximately 8,000 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 and kidney damage.
Veterinary Medications
Even though veterinary medications are intended for
pets, they're often misapplied or improperly dispensed by
well-meaning pet parents. In 2008, the ASPCA managed
nearly 8,000 cases involving animal-related preparations
such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm
preventatives, de-wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and
nutritional supplements.
Chemical Hazards
In 2008, the Animal Poison Control Center handled
approximately 7,500 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.
Plants
Common houseplants were the subject of nearly 6,500
calls to the Animal Poison Control Center in 2008. 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.
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
more than 4,000 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 more than 3,000
cases of pet poisonings in 2008. 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.
Fertilizer
It may keep your grass green, but certain types of fertilizer
can cause problems for outdoor cats and dogs. Last year,
the ASPCA fielded more than 2,000 calls related to fertilizer
exposure. Prevention is really key to avoiding accidental
exposure, but if you suspect your pet has ingested something
lawn-side, please contact your veterinarian or the Animal
Poison Control Center's 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.
Posted on SHARE Yahoo group - Jan. 7, 2009