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  MAKE YOUR HOME SAFE FOR YOUR PETS

Warm Weather Hazards 
- Animal toxins—toads, insects, spiders, snakes and scorpions
- Blue-green algae in ponds
- Citronella candles
- Cocoa mulch
- Compost piles Fertilizers
- Flea products
- Outdoor plants and plant bulbs
- Swimming-pool treatment supplies
- Fly baits containing methomyl
- Slug and snail baits containing metaldehyde

Medication 
Common examples of human medications that can be potentially lethal to pets, even in small doses, include:
- Pain killers
- Cold medicines
- Anti-cancer drugs
- Antidepressants
- Vitamins
- Diet Pills

Cold Weather Hazards
- Antifreeze
- Liquid potpourri
- Ice melting products
- Rat and mouse bait

Common Household Hazards
- Fabric softener sheets
- Mothballs
- Post-1982 pennies (due to high concentration of zinc)

Holiday Hazards 
- Christmas tree water (may contain fertilizers and bacteria, which, if ingested, can upset the stomach.
- Electrical cords
- Ribbons or tinsel (can become lodged in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction—most often occurs with kittens!)
- Batteries
- Glass ornaments

Lead Poisoning

Lead is extremely common in the environment. It is found in linoleum, caulk, toys, lead based paint (esp. paint from prior to 1977), solder, batteries, weights, golf balls, bullets and other items. This toxicity must be considered as a possible diagnosis with a variety of clinical signs, including loss of appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. Especially if these gastro-intestinal signs are accompanied by neurologic signs, such as blindness, seizures, difficulty walking, tremors, or usual behavior. This can be a cause of increased drinking and urinating as well. Since these signs occur with a number of other diseases, it is easy to miss lead poisoning. Be sure to tell you vet if there is a possibility of lead poisoning that you are aware of, such as living in an older house or a dog that tends to eat unusual objects.

Lead poisoning interferes with certain enzymes in the body. It causes the red blood cells to be weak and easily destroyed. Anemia can result from this but is usually mild. Blood vessel irritation leads to the other clinical signs.

Most of the time lead poisoning occurs in younger dogs because they are the most likely to ingest unusual items such as fishing sinkers or lead putty. Older homes that have been remodeled recently are a common cause of lead poisoning. Older buildings are always a risk for lead based paints and items like lead sash weights.

Lead poisoning can be diagnosed through lab tests of the blood of affected pets. It is a treatable condition but the treatment can be expensive, especially if extensive supportive care such as IV fluids are necessary for extended periods. Retreatment is sometimes necessary.

If there is lead poisoning in a pet, it is important to consider the possibility that it might also occur in children in the household if it is related to old paint or lead containing objects available for ingestion. Please tell you family doctor or local health department if your pet is diagnosed with lead poisoning and you have children.

Non-toxic Substances for Dogs and Cats 
The following substances are considered to be non-toxic, although they may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some animals:
- Water-based paints
- Toilet bowl water
- Silica gel
- Poinsettia
- Cat litter
- Glue traps
- Glow jewelry

Despite all your care and supervision, accidents can still happen and it is important to know what to do if your pet is poisoned. Dogs and cats are particularly prone to poisoning as dogs will chew and eat almost anything (particularly when puppies are teething) and cats are insatiably curious.

Common Poisons

Many household items can be toxic to pets - these include many pesticides (especially rat poison - even a small amount of this can be fatal), weed-killers, ammonia, bleach, washing detergents and a variety of indoor and outdoor plants, such as azalea, oleander, mistletoe, sago palm and Easter lily. Anti-freeze is another deadly substance - because of its sweet taste, it is particularly attractive to pets; watch that your car is not dripping a puddle onto the garage floor or driveway, which is then being lapped up by your pet - even small amounts can cause kidney failure and death. Other dangerous items include batteries, moth balls, pot pourri and over-the-counter medications - a 200mg tablet of ibuprofen can cause stomach ulcers in a ten-pound dog. Always store potentially toxic products in cupboards safely out of paws' reach.

Even food can be a potential source of poisoning - dogs, for example, should never be fed grapes or raisins, potatoes, onions and most of all, chocolate. Chocolate contains a compound similar to caffeine, called theobromine. Just one-half ounce or less of chocolate per pound body weight can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, nervousness, restlessness, excitement, tremors, seizures, and even coma.

Cats can be particularly prone to toxic products deposited on their fur or picked up on their paws, as they inadvertently ingest the poisons when they then wash themselves. Never use a product designed for a dog on a cat, as cats are far more sensitive to any chemical toxicity than dogs.

Symptoms of Poisoning

Signs of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, nervousness, difficulty breathing (panting), and change in pupil size. Depending on the poison, the animal may show extremely rapid or extremely slow heart rate. In extreme cases, your pet may become unsteady on their feet, go into convulsions, or become unconscious.

Help! My Pet Has Been Poisoned - What Should I do?

First of all, don't panic! A rapid response is important but keeping calm will give you a higher chance of saving your pet's life. Take a deep breath and follow these steps:

• First, always make sure you have your veterinarian's number (or an emergency on-call vet) on hand - place it by the phone or on the fridge. If you suspect poisoning, don't hesitate to call immediately - their advice is crucial.
• Check the animal's vital signs (airway/ breathing, heartbeat, bleeding, temperature) and administer first-aid if necessary. Check for signs of shock (pale gums, listless, weak pulse).
• If the poison was topical, flush the area with large volumes of water (eg, in the eye). If it was in powder form, you may need to brush or vacuum it off the coat.
• If the poison was inhaled, take the animal into fresh air as soon as possible.
• Most poisons are ingested - in some cases, inducing vomiting as soon as possible is a good thing to do. However, always check with a vet before trying to make your pet vomit - and you need to know exactly what the poison was. Some poisons are particularly caustic and can actually cause as much damage coming back up as they did going down. In these cases, it might be better to give your pet some milk to neutralise the substance but again, check with your vet first.
• To induce vomiting, administer some washing soda crystals or a strong salt solution.
• Try to determine how much of the poison your pet ingested and try to take along a sample to your vet, as well as anything the animal may have vomited. Even if your pet seems to be fine, it is best to seek veterinary advice following a poisoning as some poisons may be slow acting or require further treatment.

Poisoning is high on the list of a pet owner's nightmares and unfortunately, is quite a common occurrence. Therefore, arming yourself with the knowledge of what to do before any accident occurs means that you will be in the best position to help your pet if he or she is poisoned.