2011 Top 10 Pet poisons

Keep these out of reach of dogs !
Pet Poison Helpline reported their Top 10 list of poisons for dogs:

  1. Foods: chocolate, xylitol, and grapes/raisins.
  2. Insecticides.
  3. Mouse and rat poison.
  4. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for human (ibuprofen, naproxen etc).
  5. Household cleaners.
  6. Antidepressant drugs for humans (Prozac etc).
  7. Fertilizers.
  8. Cough & cold human drugs.
  9. Amphetamines for humans (ADD/ADHD meds etc).
  10. NSAIDs for dogs (Rimadyl, Deramaxx & Previcox).

FDA warning xylitol

FDA is Warning Pet Owners on the Dangers of Xylitol Ingestion in Dogs and Ferrets February 18, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration is cautioning consumers about the risks associated with the accidental consumption of xylitol by dogs and ferrets. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol approved for use in many common products, including sugar-free baked goods, candy, oral hygiene products, and chewing gum. Continue reading FDA warning xylitol

Holiday Safety Tips

Thanks to Leslie Spencer-Snider for these great tips!

Everyone enjoys the holidays, from Christmas, New Years through Fourth of July, and Halloween including your Pets, but the holiday decorations and foods can be deadly for your cat and/or dog. Here are 12 tips to help you make the holidays safer for your pets. Published with permission from Alternative Training Methods. Continue reading Holiday Safety Tips

Macadamia nut toxicosis

Macadamia nut toxicosis in dogs
by
Steven R. Hansen, DVM, MS, DABVT

Macadamia nuts are cultivated in the United States from Macadamia integrifolia and Macadamia tetraphylla trees commonly found in Hawaii. The commercially produced nuts are popular as party treats and as ingredients in cookies and candies. Each year, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) receives calls concerning dogs consuming varying amounts of macadamia nuts (see boxed text). These relatively infrequent calls involve remarkably consistent findings and outcomes.
Clinical signs
From 1987 to 2001, the ASPCA APCC received 48 calls concerning dogs consuming macadamia nuts. Clinical signs commonly reported from most to least frequent were weakness, depression, vomiting, ataxia, tremors, and hyperthermia (Figure 1).1 In 94% of cases from 1998 to 2001, dogs that had consumed macadamia nuts were reported to be showing at least one of these clinical
signs (ASPCA APCC AnTox Medical Record Database: Unpublished data, 1987-2001).

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Evamist Hormone Spray May Cause Illness in Pets

http://www.fda.gov/
July 29, 2010
The Center for Veterinary Medicine would like pet owners to know that Evamist (estradiol transdermal spray), a topical hormone replacement product, sprayed on the forearm to reduce hot flashes in women during menopause, has the potential to cause health problems in pets exposed to the product on the owner’s skin. Continue reading Evamist Hormone Spray May Cause Illness in Pets

Vets Warn About Dangers Of Artificial Sweeteners

16 Jul 2010 The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is warning dog owners of the danger that the artificial sweetener, Xylitol, can pose to their pets. Xylitol is not considered harmful to humans, but if ingested by a dog the substance is dangerous because it triggers a sudden release of insulin which causes a dramatic drop in blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) and can lead to liver damage and an emergency pet care visit. Continue reading Vets Warn About Dangers Of Artificial Sweeteners

Top dog household toxins

1. NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen”Topping our list are the common household medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), which include common names such as ibuprofen (e.g., Advil and some types of Motrin) and naproxen (e.g., Aleve). While these medications are safe for people, even one or two pills can cause serious harm to a pet. Dogs, cats, birds and other small mammals including ferrets, gerbils, and hamsters may develop serious stomach and intestinal ulcers as well as kidney failure. Continue reading Top dog household toxins