March 2018

Rat Poison

This month we will be covering Poison Prevention. In the articles this month, we will discuss signs, symptoms, treatment, & ways to prevent possible exposure. With any poison, speed is critical. Prompt vet care is often a matter of life or death with poison exposure.

My hope for these articles is to provide more education so you, as an owner, can better protect your pet & in the unfortunate situation where poison is ingested, know the proper steps to ensure the best possible outcome for your pet.

These articles are not meant for self diagnosis. If you are concerned about your pet's health or believe that your pet has been exposed or ingested Rat Poison, please immediately contact our clinic or an emergency after hours vet clinic for prompt vet care.

**Any word marked with a * can be found in our glossary at the end of this article for it's definition**

Rat Poison comes in 3 different varieties: Bromethalin, vitamin based, & anti-coagulants. I will discuss each type in more detail below. As mentioned above, we strongly recommend seeking immediate vet attention if you suspect your pet has ingested any rat poison. Your vet staff will need to know several things in order to treat your pet in the quickest & most efficient way possible.

1. What type of rat poison
2. Bring the original packaging if possible
3. Have an estimate of how much your pet could have possibly ingested
4. How long ago did your pet ingest the rat poison?
5. Have you tried to induce vomiting at home? (we do not recommend this due to risk of aspiration*)
6. Are you seeing any signs/symptoms (see below)
7. Is your pet on any current meds?

Bromethalin can sometimes be confused with Anticoagulant rodenticides since the names on packaging can be similar, but this type of rat poison is one of the most dangerous and deadly versions because there is no medication to help, treatment is mainly supportive care based. This type of rat poison increase the pressure of several types of fluid surrounding & inside the brain tissue causing swelling & neurologic signs. Signs to look for:

1. Lethargy*
2. Anxiety
3. Vomiting
4. Tremors
5. Seizures
6. Instability walking
7. Coma
8. Death
Treatment: Inducing vomiting, using activated charcoal*, IV fluids, anti-seizure meds, muscle relaxants, & supportive care.

**Due to the neurologic nature of this type of rat poison, prognosis* is very guarded**

Anticoagulant rodenticides, also known as ACR, work by stopping your dog/cat's blood's ability to clot. This occurs by preventing the production of Vitamin-K in your pet's blood. This type of poisoning, if ingested in enough quantity, if untreated, is FATAL. Clinical signs are seen 3-5 days after ingestion. Signs to look for:

1. Lethargy*
2. Difficulty breathing
3. Pale gums
4. Coughing (with blood)
5. Vomiting (with blood)
6. Bloody nose
7. Bleeding from the gums
8. Collapse
9. Death

Treatment: Vitamin K tablets given orally (min 30 day supply), possible blood transfusion, plasma transfusion, oxygen, blood work monitoring & supportive care depending on the critical nature of the animal at the time.

The Vitamin based rat poison is called Cholecalciferol. Very small amounts result in very severe poisoning. How this type of rat poison works is by increasing the amount of calcium in the body, which leads to kidney failure. Signs to look for:

1. Inappetance*
2. Anorexia*
3. Lethargy*/weakness
4. Kidney Failure
5. Bad Breath
6. Tremors
7. Weight loss
8. Changes in thirst & urination habits
9. Death

Treatment: Aggressive IV fluids to try and flush the kidneys & increased calcium in the body, bloodwork monitoring, medications such as diuretics or steroids to help decrease calcium levels.

Glossary
Activated charcoal: charcoal type substance used to prevent further absorption of substance in the stomach & intestines
Anorexia: decrease in appetite
Aspiration: movement of fluids into the lungs
Lethargy: decrease in activity
Prognosis: likely outcome of a disease

ASPCA Hotline ($59 fee)

855-764-7661

The best way to avoid exposure is simply not use rat poison. There are other options for rodent problems, such as catch/release, & rat traps.

Not only do poisons present a very dangerous environment for your personal pets, they also pose a very dangerous problem for wildlife through secondary poisoning.

When wildlife predators, such as owls & hawks, eat rats or mice that have been poisoned, that poison can reach toxic levels in wildlife predators. I have included a full article concerning the effects of rat poison in wildlife. Click on image to read that article.

Stay tuned this month for more articles on a variety of everyday poisons.

Dangerous Food For Your Dog

Who can resist those big brown eyes & cute doggie grin? Can a little reward from the table really hurt your dog? The answer?

It depends on what it is and what's in it.

Due to the volume of toxic food to dogs & cats, I have split up this article into part I & II. Part II, which is the cat version will be posted this Thursday so stay tuned.

These articles are not meant for self diagnosis. If you are concerned about your pet's health, and believe they have ingested food that is toxic to them, please immediately contact our clinic or an emergency after hours vet clinic for prompt vet care.

**Any word marked with a * can be found in our glossary at the bottom of this article for it's definition**

Chocolate
The amount & type of chocolate your dog consumes determines the symptoms and toxicity level he/she will experience. Chocolate has caffeine & theobromine* which cause toxicosis* in dogs. Darker chocolate, like baker's chocolate or cocoa powder, have higher concentrations of both substices and therefore are more toxic to dogs in lower doses.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, lethargy*, muscle tremors, irregular heartbeat, high body temperature, seizures and death.
Treatment: Supportive care, activated charcoal*, IV fluids, inducing vomiting, EKG monitoring*

Grapes & Raisins
Grapes & Raisins are hit & miss with dogs. Some dogs tolerate them very well while others can quickly develop kidney failure after ingestion. The trouble is that there is not currently a test to determine any pattern of susceptibility so we have to include them as a toxic product for all dogs. Simply put, it’s not worth the risk to find out!
Symptoms: Vomiting, lethargy*, & diarrhea can occur within 12 hours of ingestion. Untreated, they can lead to dehydration*, decreased appetite, change in urinary habits, kidney disease, kidney failure.
Treatment: Supportive care, IV fluids, inducing vomiting, blood work monitoring, diuretics*

If your dog has consumed grapes or raisins, take them to a vet immediately. Your dog can develop long-term kidney disease or even die from kidney failure within 3-4 days.

Alcohol
Small amounts of alcohol found in drinks, syrups, and raw bread dough can be poisonous to dogs. These products contain ethanol*, and beer also contains hops, both of which can cause alcohol intoxication.
Symptoms: Vomiting, disorientation, high body temperature, restlessness, excessive panting, muscle tremors or seizures.
Treatment: Supportive care by a veterinarian clinic until the animal recovers.

Xylitol
This is an artificial sweetener found in foods like sugarless gum, sugar-free candy, toothpaste, mouthwash, chewable vitamins and cough drops, and even some brands of peanut butter. It takes a small amount of xylitol to create toxic levels so any ingestion of xylitol needs to be addressed immediately.
Symptoms: Vomiting, seizures, loss of coordination, hypoglycemia*, liver damage.
Treatment: Inducing vomiting, supportive care, IV fluids, glucose monitoring, blood work monitoring.

Onion & Garlic
Anything in the onion family–from garlic to shallots to scallions to chives–is toxic to dogs. They contain compounds that can cause inflammation of the stomach & intestines, anemia* and serious damage to the red blood cells. Garlic is considered to be five times as potent as onions.
Symptoms: Lethargy*, weakness, & orange-dark red urine.
Treatment: Supportive care, IV fluids, inducing vomiting, use of activated charcoal, blood work monitoring.

Please keep in mind, I am NOT covering EVERY substance that is toxic to dogs in this article. Please be careful what you choose to feed & expose your furry friend to. Below I have included more toxic substances to avoid.

The safest route is always only feed dog brand food & treats.

ASPCA Hotline ($59 fee)

855-764-7661

Glossary
Activated Charcoal: material that is used to prevent absorption of toxic materials in the stomach & intestines
Anemia: decreased number of red blood cells in the body
Dehydration: decrease in water concentration in the body
EKG Monitoring: use of heart rate machines to continually monitor the heart rate and heart rhythm of a patient
Ethanol: a colorless volatile flammable liquid produced by natural fermentation of sugar
Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar
Lethargy: Decreased activity
Theobromine: a bitter compound from cacao seeds that resembles caffeine
Toxicosis: condition caused by a poison or a toxin

Dangerous Food for Your Cat

Cats are part of the family, so it’s only natural to want to share our food with them. Although your cat may not be interested in a lot of the things you eat, she may still help himself to something she shouldn’t eat. Knowing what foods are safe for your cat to consume is an important component of being a responsible pet owner.

Please keep in mind, this list is not all inclusive. Make sure you do your research prior to feeding your cat any human food.

Alcohol
Cats can become intoxicated too, but it has worse effects than with dogs. As little as a tablespoon of alcohol can put an adult cat into a coma.
Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, disorientation, trouble breathing, coma, & death.
Treatment: Supportive care +/- inducing vomiting, activated charcoal*, & IV fluids

Chocolate
The amount & type of chocolate your cat consumes determines the symptoms and toxicity level he/she will experience. Chocolate has caffeine & theobromine* which cause toxicosis* in cats. Darker chocolate, like baker's chocolate or cocoa powder, have higher concentrations of both substitutes and therefore are more toxic to cats in lower doses.
Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, abnormal heart rhythms, high body temperature, seizures
Treatment: Supportive care, activated charcoal*, IV fluids, inducing vomiting, EKG monitoring

Raw Meat or Raw Eggs
Just like humans, consumption of raw eggs or raw meat can lead to Salmonella or E. coli poisoning in cats. It also has the risk of causing pancreatitis* which may require hospitalization. The other thing to mention about the risk of raw meat and eggs is that if you cat does contract either Salmonella or E-coli poisoning, it is considering zoonotic*.
Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Raw eggs also contain an enzyme that can lead to skin and coat problems.
Treatment: Varies on severity but can require antibiotics or up to hospilization

Grapes & Raisins
Cats are not likely to eat these, but similar to dogs, small amounts have the potential to cause rapid development of kidney failure. It's best not to give your cat access to any grapes or raisins by keeping them off counter tops and other places accessible to your cat. Simply put, it’s not worth the risk to find out!
Symptoms: Vomiting, increased activity, lethargy*, & diarrhea can occur within 12 hours of ingestion. Untreated, they can lead to dehydration*, decreased appetite, change in urinary habits, kidney disease, kidney failure.
Treatment: Supportive care, IV fluids, inducing vomiting, blood work monitoring, diuretics*

Onion & Garlic
All members of the onion family can cause problems if eaten in sufficient quantity. A little bit of onion or garlic in some sauce is not likely to cause any problems. However, eating a clove of garlic or a green onion may cause digestive upset. Baby food made from meat is often seasoned with onion or garlic, so read the labels carefully if you feed these to your cat. They contain compounds that can cause inflammation of the stomach & intestines, anemia* and serious damage to the red blood cells. Garlic is considered to be five times as potent as onions.
Symptoms: Lethargy*, weakness, & orange-dark red urine.
Treatment: Supportive care, IV fluids, inducing vomiting, use of activated charcoal, blood work monitoring

Please keep in mind, I am NOT covering EVERY substance that is toxic to cats in this article. Please be careful what you choose to feed & expose your furry friend to. Below I have included more toxic substances to avoid.

The safest route is always only feed cat brand food & treats.

ASPCA Hotline ($59 fee)

855-764-7661

Poisonous Greenery

Many plants poisonous to dogs are very common in backyards. These toxic time-bombs range from being only mildly toxic to being responsible for more serious canine health problems. Listed below are some of the plants poisonous to dogs that must be avoided if there are dogs in your home. While in some cases, just parts of a plant (bark, leaves, seeds, berries, roots) might be poisonous, we strongly suggest avoiding the entire plant. If you must have any of them, keep them safely out of reach. Should you suspect your canine friend has eaten any part of a poisonous plant, seek immediate veterinarian care. If you can, take the plant with you for ease of identification.

Poisonous Plants, Flowers, & Trees
1. Autumn Crocus
2. Azalea
3. Daffodil
4. Dieffenbachia
5. Tulip
6. Kalanchoe
7. Sago Palm
8. Oleander
9. Cyclamen
10. Amaryllis

Possible Signs/Sympoms
1. Vomiting
2. Diarrhea
3. Abdominal Pain
4. Tremors
5. Decreased appetite
6. Seizures
7. Loss of coordination
8. Liver failure
9. Bleeding disorders
10. Low blood pressure
11. Kidney damage/failure
12. Coma
13. Death

Please keep in mind, I am NOT covering EVERY flower & plant that is toxic to dogs & cats in this article. Please be careful what you choose to expose your furry friend to.

There are many flower & plants that are toxic to cats as well. Plants often add the finishing touches to any decor. But, if you have a cat, that beautiful plant could become a deadly enemy. Listed below are some of the plants poisonous to cats that must be avoided if there are cats in your home. While in some cases, just parts of a plant (bark, leaves, seeds, berries, roots) might be poisonous, we strongly suggest avoiding the entire whole plant. If you must have any of them, keep them safely out of reach. Should you suspect your feline friend has eaten any part of a poisonous plant, seek immediate veterinarian care. If you can, take the plant with you for ease of identification.

Poisonous Plants, Flowers, & Trees
1. Amaryllis
2. Autumn Crocus
3. Azaleas
4. Castor Bean
5. English Ivy
6. Lily
7. Oleander
8. Peace Lily
9. Pothos
10. Sago Palm
11. Spanish Tyme
12. Tulip
13. Yew

Possible Signs/Symptoms
1. Difficulty breathing
2. Drooling
3. Diarrhea
4. Vomiting
5. Increase in thirst
6. Changes in urine habits
7. Seizures
8. Kidney Damage/Failure
9. Low Blood Pressure
10. Bleeding Disorders
11. Liver Failure
12. Coma
13. Death

ASPCA Hotline ($59 fee)

855-764-7661

Poisonous Household Products

Many common household items can pose a threat to our animal companions. The easiest way to protect your pet is to use common sense and take similar precautions that you would with a child. Unfortunately, medication isn’t the only danger to your dog. While it’s easy to leave items haphazardly around your home, especially if you’re rushing out the door, you should take extra precaution with certain things. I will go into detail about a few household products & possible signs and symptoms below.

Please keep in mind, I am NOT covering EVERY household product that is toxic to dogs & cats in this article. Please be careful what you choose to expose your furry friend to.

Antifreeze
Ethylene glycol, the main ingredient in most antifreeze brands, has an inviting aroma and a sweet flavor.
Signs & Symptoms: Lethargic, disoriented, ataxia, vomiting, kidney failure, coma, & death.
Treatment: Inducing vomiting, supportive care, activated charcoal, monitoring bloodwork, IV fluids.

Aspirin
Aspirin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, has been found to have beneficial effects for some animals. It has been used for conditions related to blood clotting, inflammation, and for its analgesic properties. However, it can also be toxic to the body.

Signs & Symptoms: Lethargy, vomiting (+/- blood), decreased appetite, increased breathing rate, high temperature, muscle weakness, ataxia, coma, death
Treatment: No antidote. Supportive care, IV fluids, inducing vomiting, activated charcoal

ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN PRIOR TO STARTING YOUR PET ON ANY MEDICATION!!

Batteries
When a battery is punctured or swallowed, there is risk for the alkaline or acidic material to leak out, resulting in severe corrosive injury. The most common types of batteries ingested or chewed on by dogs are alkaline dry cell battery (e.g., 9-volt, D, C, AA, AAA) or button/disc batteries.
Signs & Symptoms: Drooling, Pawing at mouth, Vomiting, Difficulty Swallowing, Abdominal Pain, Decreased appetite

Detergents
Tide pods...never a good to ingest by humans or animals.
Signs & Symptoms: Vomiting, Diarrhea, abdominal pain, & oral ulcers
Treatment: Activated charcoal, bloodwork monitoring, IV fluid therapy

Prescription Pills
Signs & Symptoms: These will vary depending on the type of medication.
Treatment: Varies depending on type of medication

IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR DOG HAS INGESTED ANY PRESCRIPTION PILLS, SEEK IMMEDIATE VETERINARY ATTENTION & HAVE THE ORIGINAL BOTTLE IF POSSIBLE.

These articles are not meant for self diagnosis. If you are concerned about your pet's health, and believe they have ingested a product that is toxic to them, please immediately contact our clinic or an emergency after hours vet clinic for prompt vet care.

ASPCA Hotline ($59 fee)

855-764-7661

Thank you guys for following us for this month's Blog posts.
Stay tuned next Month as we discuss Heartworm Awareness. We will cover Heartworm Disease, treatment, & prevention.

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