TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – March marks the beginning of spring, a time where critters, blooms and unsuspecting pet poisons all come out of hiding.
As people begin to clean and freshen their living spaces, deter newly awakened bugs and even start their gardens, they also bring in dangerous threats to their pets. Dr. Meredith Stanaland with Nacogdoches Animal hospital pointed a few everyday items that might go fatally undetected.
Rodents, Pests & Plants
Although meant to kill much smaller creatures, rodent and slug baits promise a similar threat to pets.
Stanaland explained that while rat poison used to only cause a blood-clotting issue, a change in ingredients means now it causes brain swelling that can not be reversed.
“Most of your rat baits are going to be extremely, extremely, extremely toxic to your dogs and your cats,” Stanaland said. “So you got to be really careful. If you have it out, it can be nowhere where your pet can eat it because it’s very toxic.”
She said the same level of risk applies to slug bait.
“Very, very highly toxic. And the window of trying to reverse that or get your pet to vomit that up is very small. So you got to be really careful where you put that this time of year.”
Although a beautiful spring bloom and Easter staple, lilies are also dangerous.
“Stargazer lilies are my favorite flower, but I can never get to have them because they are extremely toxic, especially to our cat friends,” Stanaland said. “No lilies anywhere your pets can eat them.”
Around the House
Spring brings allergies, and allergy medicine lying on the coffee table, in your purse, or dropped on the floor could be a hazard for a curious cat or dog.
Common medications or common medication ingredients that can prove toxic to pets include:
AleveMidolIbuprofenAllergy InhalersNasal SpraysAcetaminophenPseudoephedrinePhenylephrineXylitol (sweetener for some cough drops)
Stanaland says pets are not able to metabolize or process the medications like people can, resulting in harmful toxins.
Other common toxic items found around the home include:
BatteriesPenniesAntifreezePotpouri (may contain lilies)
Antifreeze, while it seems unappetizing, actually has a sweet taste to it, making it appealing for a pet or even a child to consume.
“It’s almost like it entices them to want to drink it,” Stanaland said, but noting it is just as deadly as it is delicious to both people and pets.
“It’s going to cause acute kidney failure. So, it is extremely, extremely, extremely toxic. So, if you have any antifreeze in your home, make sure it’s sealed in something that your pet can’t get into. Even if it falls off the shelf a child can’t get into it and then make sure it’s high up so they can’t try and chew into it as well.”
Flea & Tick Toxins
As flea and tick season kicks off, it is important to remember that these medications are not interchangeable between species.
“You want to be really careful not to put the cat on the dog or the dog on the cat, because they’re very different active ingredients and each of them cannot metabolize it the same.”
Poison Help
Time is crucial if you think your pet has been poisoned.
“It’s really about how much they ate and how fast you can get them to a veterinarian,” Stanaland emphasized. “So, if you even suspect it, give your veterinarian a call and say, ‘Hey, I think my pet ate this and definitely see what they say, what you need to have done.”
She said depending on the toxin, they may need to induce vomiting, provide a toxin absorbent, or flush out toxins with IV fluids.
Foe overnight or holiday emergencies, the ASPCA has a 24/7 pet poison hotline that can be reached at 888-426-4435
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