The types of things your pets come into contact with this time of year can have detrimental consequences. And believe it or not, some of the things you thought were deadly to your pet aren’t all that bad.
What’s what? Here are some important ones to be aware of from the ASPCA Poison Control Center:
Chocolate
Is there anyone still out there that doesn’t know chocolate can be harmful or even deadly to pets?
Depending on the type, chocolate can contain high amounts of fat and caffeine-like substances known as methylxanthines. If ingested in significant amounts, chocolate can potentially produce clinical effects ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death in severe cases.
Typically, the darker the chocolate, the higher the potential for clinical problems from methylxanthine poisoning. White chocolate has the lowest methylxanthine content, while baking chocolate contains the highest. Twenty ounces of milk chocolate or a mere two ounces of baking chocolate can cause serious problems in a 10-pound dog. While white chocolate may not have the same potentcy as darker forms to cause a methylxanthine poisoning, the high fat content of lighter chocolates could still lead to vomiting and diarrhea, as well as the possible development of life-threatening pancreatitis, an inflammatory condition of the pancreas.
Alcohol
Did you know that alcoholic beverages can be potentially dangerous to pets?
During the winter season, holiday parties abound, with many festivities including cocktails and other alcoholic libations. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center advises pet owners to avoid leaving alcoholic drinks unattended; such beverages should always be kept well out of the reach of pets.
Depending on the amount ingested, alcohol ingestions can potentially result in vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, acidosis, coma and even death.
Poinsettias
Did you know that Poinsettias are not the deadly flowers that popular legend has made them out to be?
Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are part of a family of plants known as spurges. During the 1820s Joel Robert Poinsett, the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico at the time, first brought poinsettias to the U.S. from a Mexican city he had visited. It was during the early part of the 20th century that the myth of the plant's toxicity began when the two-year-old child of a U.S. Army officer was alleged to have become ill and died from consuming a poinsettia leaf.
As a result of this rumor, the toxic potential of poinsettia has become highly exaggerated. In reality, poinsettia ingestions typically produce only mild to moderate gastrointestinal tract irritation, which may include drooling, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Therefore, while keeping this plant out of the reach of your pet to avoid stomach upset is still a good idea, pet owners need not fear the poinsettia and banish it from their homes for fear of a fatal exposure.
For more information on the toxic potential of plants, please be sure to check out the ASPCA’s lists of toxic and non-toxic plants on their website, www.aspca.org.
Antifreeze
NEVER ALLOW YOUR PETS NEAR IT! It tastes sweet and is attractive to your pets, but is deadly. Stay aware of leaks and spills in your garage and on your driveway and clean them up immediately. It only takes a very small amount to cause serious illness or death. Don’t gamble with it.
Antifreeze typically contains one of three active ingredients: ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or methanol. Ethylene glycol is found in most antifreeze products and is the most toxic to cats and dogs. In fact, it is about three times as toxic as propylene glycol. A 15-pound dog would only need to ingest about 2 tablespoons for it to be lethal, and a 10-pound cat about one-half of a tablespoon. Though smaller quantities may not be lethal, they can still make an animal critically ill. Ethylene glycol can lead to organ damage, particularly of the kidneys, as well as an increase in acidity of the blood's pH.
Symptoms of ethylene glycol poisoning appear in three stages. Within the first twelve hours after ingestion these can include the following: mild depression, ataxia, knuckling, seizures, hyperexcitability, stupor, lack of appetite, vomiting, drop in body temperature, increase in drinking and urination, and death. Though rare, coma can occur as well. Many of these signs resemble alcohol intoxication, or drunkenness. Within twelve to twenty-four hours after ingestion, an increase in both the heart rate and respiratory rate can occur. The kidneys begin to be affected within twelve to seventy-two hours after ingestion, at which time signs may include severe depression, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, kidney failure, and death.
If you suspect that your pet may have ingested a product or substance that you suspect may be harmful, contact your local veterinarian, take him to an emergency veterinary hospital or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435) for immediate assistance.
