It's always scary when our pets eat things they shouldn't. It's worse when we don't know for sure if what they ate is toxic. Throughout the year, many pets visit the Four Seasons Veterinary Specialists emergency room due to toxin ingestions. Some will require ongoing treatment and monitoring by a veterinarian due to organ damage. Thankfully there are resources to help you identify those dangers beforehand.
We suggest you put these numbers in your phone: The ASPCA Poison Control Line is staffed 24/7 and can be reached at 888-426-4435. The Pet Poison Helpline is also staffed 24/7 and can be reached at 855-764-766. For identifying ingested plants, you can send photos and information to the Plant & Fungus ID Facebook Group at (www.facebook.com/groups/554451004697420) and they will provide information to you. For EMERGENCY SITUATIONS ONLY, you can reach out to the Emergency Plant & Fungus group at (www.facebook.com/groups/144798092849300) for assistance identifying suspicious plants that a pet has ingested. They do truly amazing work to help pet owners and veterinarians identify and appropriately treat animals who've ingested toxic plants or fungus, or to alleviate the fear.
In effort to help alleviate some pet owners worries we wanted to share some of the most common things that our friends at Four Seasons Veterinary Specialist see pets ingest that can cause medical emergencies:
DOGS:
Over the counter and prescription medications:
Including but not limited to acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, naproxen (Advil), nutraceutical products (vitamins and supplements), inhalers, antidepressants, cancer drugs, cold medicines, diet pills, certain topical creams/ointments like psoriasis cream
Foods:
Such as alcohol, avocado, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, xylitol (sweetener in gum and candy), onions, garlic, raw yeast dough, chocolate, whole stone fruits (cherries, peaches, plums as the pits can obstruct the GI tract), bones, fat trimmings, caffeine, protein/snack bars, edibles containing THC
Vet products:
Ingestion or overdosing of flea and tick products, dewormer medications
Household products:
Antifreeze, bleach, paint thinner, pool chemicals, fertilizer, cleaning chemicals, de-icing salts, herbicides, paint, Gorilla glue
Rodenticides and insecticides:
Mouse bait, ant bait, slug bait, bug spray
Plants:
Azaleas, rhododendrons, tulips, daffodils, sago palms, yew, autumn crocus, dieffenbachia, oleander, amaryllis, poinsettia, hyacinth, hydrangea, philodendron, chrysanthemum, cyclamen, Lily of the Valley, marijuana, certain mushrooms (amanita among others)
CATS:
Over the counter and prescription medications:
Similar to the over the counter medications that affect dogs, cats are also harmed by the ingestion of the following including but not limited to acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, naproxen (Advil), nutraceutical products (vitamins and supplements), inhalers, antidepressants, cancer drugs, cold medicines, diet pills
Foods:
Including alcohol, chives, grapes, raisins, xylitol (sweetener in gum and candy), onions, garlic, raw yeast dough, caffeine, bones, edibles containing THC
Vet products:
Like dogs, cats are affected by the ingestion or overdosing of flea and tick products (pills, collars, spot-on flea treatment, spray, shampoo)
Household products:
Antifreeze, bleach, detergents, de-icing salts, fertilizer, herbicides, paint
Rodenticides and insecticides:
Mouse bait, ant bait, slug bait, bug spray
Plants:
Aloe, azalea, chrysanthemum, hyacinths, mistletoe, philodendron, sago palm, tulips, marijuana, certain mushrooms (amanita among others) true lilies (Tiger, Day, Asiatic, Easter, Oriental, Japanese Show) leaves/flowers/ pollen/water
Household hazards:
Dental floss, yarn/string, tinsel, hair ties, glow sticks and jewelry, small toys with movable parts
Four Seasons Veterinary Specialist
4120 Clydesdale Pkwy Loveland
970-800-1106 | 4seasonsvetspecialists.com/services