Common Household Toxins a Danger to Pets

Understanding what potentially harmful poisons exist in your home helps keep your pets safe! Spring is in the air, so remember that your pets will be curious about new items that you bring into your home. At Easter time, many pet owners are unaware that many species of lily are potentially fatal to cats. Even small ingestions of the pollen or water from the vase can result in acute kidney failure, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and even death. Another potentially harmful item that comes along with Easter is Easter basket grass! When a pet ingests Easter grass, it can become anchored to the base of the tongue or stomach, rendering it unable to pass through the intestines and can result in severe damage to the intestinal tract.
When chocolate is ingested by pets, the chemical toxicity due to methylxanthines can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors and even death. In general, the darker and more bitter the chocolate, the greater the danger.
Onions cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage, and the ingestion of grapes or raisins can cause kidney failure.
Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum and candy. It can cause insulin release in most species, and can leads to low blood sugar and liver failure. Signs of toxicosis include vomiting, tremors and loss of coordination.
The ingestion of marijuana causes pets to become lethargic, have a loss of balance, abnormal heart rhythms, low blood pressure and urinary incontinence.
Adderall and other prescription medications cause overstimulation of the nervous system. Amphetamine poisoning in dogs and cat leads to agitation, tremors, seizures, elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, drooling, vomiting and diarrhea.
The treatment of choice is decontamination, or induce vomiting, and gastrointestinal protection to prevent further absorption and healing of the gut. Trying to make them vomit as soon as possible after ingestion is best, but if you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
If you have any question, please email Dr. Cristina Valas at drcrisvalas@thefamilypethospital.com .