Veterinary Toxicology - toxins, animal poisoning, adverse drug reactions.
Raisins and grapes are very toxic to dogs and possibly cats. Some dogs love eating raisins and grapes and will seek them out. Pet owners have used even raisins as a "healthy" treat for their dogs. At this point in time, the toxic factor of raisins and grapes has not been identified. It is thought to be contained in the flesh, not the seed, of the fruit. Some animals may be more sensitive than oth…
Dough that has yeast in it poses a hazard to pets who consume it in large quantity. The risks are two-fold. The first risk is that the dough may rise after ingestion, causing intestinal obstruction. Secondly, the yeast can ferment sugars, creating a secondary problem of ethanol (alcohol) poisoning in the animal. Ahna Brutlag DVM and Justine A. Lee DVM DACVECC of Pet Poison Helpline detail the cas…
I asked veterinary specialists Ahna Brutlag DVM and Justine A. Lee DVM DACVECC at
Pet Poison Helpline what are the top 5 calls they receive questions about during the holidays. Here is their list of common pet household hazards that they have received calls about in 2009.
Keeping our pets safe is a year-round job, with emphasis on holidays and special occasions. Pets chew up and eat things humans never would think of consuming. Sometimes we unknowingly give our pets human foods or medications that are deadly poison.
We love taking our pets with us - across town or on a vacation - but caution is advised: temperature (and humidity) extremes may be dangerous or…
This range of this topic is almost endless, as pets have (and will) eat almost anything. Sometimes it is the food we unknowingly give them - either recalled pet food, human foods that are toxic to pets, or medications intended for humans. Other times, they find rat bait, stray strings and socks or other household items that leave us scratching our heads and asking why.
Learn about foods to…
It has been known for quite some time that second-hand cigarette smoke is dangerous to pets and people. Pets may also find discarded cigarette or cigar butts, nicotine patches, nicotine gum and chewing tobacco and give them a taste test. Especially curious puppies. All of these tobacco products contain nicotine, which can cause illness and even death in fairly small amounts. This quick tips is to…
A viewer who recently moved to Arizona asked about her pet cats and scorpions. What are the effects of a sting, and what should she do in the event of a scorpion sting? I can't classify this as a "frequently asked question" (FAQ) because this one was a first. I needed to do a little research first.
Has your pet experienced an adverse reaction to a drug or topical medication/product? The first thing to do is call your vet as soon as possible. It is a good idea to write down any details you can remember - the time and method of administration, what signs were noted, and what time(s) those signs appeared. It is important to report these events to provide data and alert other veterinarians, reg…
Dietary Indiscretion - Tell us the worst thing your pet has eaten
The popular home improvement glue, Gorilla Glue, is a polyurethane glue that expands and hardens when it cures. It needs water (or similar liquid) to cure. Veterinary Pet Insurance has seen an increase in claims related to pet ingestion of this class of clue (similar product: Elmer's Nano Glue) and this Quick Tip is to alert people to the possible danger of leaving this glue out and available to pets.
Find information about many common poisonous plants. This directory has photos for easy identification of the plant.
A viewer of this site asked: "Are Christmas trees poisonous to cats? My cat was chewing on the end of a branch last night and although she appears to be fine, I have had issues in the past with her eating plants and getting very sick." Learn more about Christmas tree hazards and pets in this FAQ.
According to Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), the number one insurance claim by far for poisonings in 2007 was owner-induced; classified as "drug reactions" (3,455 claims). Most of these drug reaction poisonings were caused by pet owners giving their pets drugs intended for human use, such as over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil. Learn about this dangerous practice of giving pets human medicines and 9 other top household toxins.
Ah, spring. It is nice to have a little color after a long winter. Easter and springtime decorations (and edibles) liven the scenery, but also pose a potential hazard to pets. Who knew that plastic Easter grass could be dangerous? Spring is a great time to take an inventory of potential pet hazards. It's better than the alternative of spending time at the veterinary hospital. Here is are a few Quick Tips on what to watch for this spring.
Bright ornamental plants are a great way to dress up the house during the holidays and a dreary winter. Pet owners should be aware however, that many of these common plants are poisonous to pets. Gastrointestinal upset is the most common finding, but if enough plant material is ingested, seizures, coma or death is possible. Read this Quick Tip to familiarize yourself with potential pet toxins.
Most people are aware that chocolate is toxic to pets, and knowledgeable pet owners would never think of giving their dog an entire box of chocolates to enjoy (and likely become sick). This Quick Tip is a reminder for special occasions and holidays where gifts abound - think twice before leaving gifts and curious pets unattended.
This is the page to find information, news and a general timeline of the pet food recall events, as reported in the Veterinary Medicine blog since March 17, 2007.
The scope of the pet food recall continues to expand. Now consumers need to be aware of the growing number of human food recalls as well; namely pork and chicken meat known to be contaminated with melamine.
The distinction between the pet foods and human foods being recalled is starting to blur. News of contaminated pork was released late last week from a small, private hog farm in California. Now the FDA has issued warnings for pork in 6 states as well as chicken meat. This article is a collection of the leading headlines regarding the contaminated wheat, corn and rice recalls -- for both pet and human food.
Melamine is known to many people as a type of dinnerware, the hard plastic material used to make colorful plates and trays for picnics and camping. Now, with recent headlines detailing the pet food recall, the public has learned another thing about melamine -- it is toxic when eaten.
The average home contains many possible poisons for pets and children. Properly storing and locking up hazardous items is the first step to preventing accidental poisonings. An additional thing to remember for pet owners is the ability of many pets to chew through child locking caps and "safe" containers.
Originally thought to be an urban legend, it is now known that raisins and grapes are indeed toxic to dogs. The type of grape and the type of dog doesn't seem to matter, and the toxic amount may be a small serving to several ounces. Read this FAQ to learn what is known about this mystery toxin and to safeguard your pets from accidental posioning.
Xylitol is a sugar-alcohol sweetener found in many sugar free candies, chewing gums, baked goods and other products. In humans, ingestion of large quantities of xylitol may have a mild laxtive effect. In dogs, ingestion of even small amounts of xylitol can have potentially life-threatening effects. Read this Quick Tip to keep your pet safe.
Poisons can be eaten, absorbed through the skin, and inhaled. Poisonings can mimic many things. Some poisons act immediately, some take days to appear, which can make diagnosis difficult. If you suspect that your pet has been poisoned, time is of the essence! Please call your veterinarian immediately to avoid further injury/damage to your pet. These tips will help your veterinarian help your pet as quick as possible.
Keep your pet safe by being aware of these common toxins around your house and yard. Pets are unpredictable - prevention is the key to a safe environment for pets (and children).
Chocolate is a popular treat all year round. Care must be taken when animals are around, though. Chocolate can be toxic, and sometimes even fatal, for animals. Dogs are most commonly affected, due to their ability to find it and the common 'sweet tooth' they seem to have. It is important to remember that cats and other species are susceptible to the toxic effects of chocolate, too.
Veterinary Q & A about poison and pets. Learn the hazards, how to recognize possible signs of poisoning, and what to do to help your pet as quickly as possible when you suspect a toxin ingestion.
How to recognize potential poisoning, what to do in an emergency, and how to poison-proof for your pet.
A branch of the FDA where both veterinarians and owners can report adverse drug reactions and product failures.
Advice on how to prevent poisoning, and a hotline to call if you suspect your pet has been poisoned.
From your Guide. Protect your pet from winter hazards, including additional links to antifreeze toxicity information.
From your About.com guide. Signs of toxicity, how to treat chocolate overdose.
Easy-to-follow chart for types / amount of chocolate, and dog's weight to determine toxic amounts. In pounds and kilograms.
Five US universities working in a cooperative effort provide a searchable database for toxicology.
David Emery, Urban Legends Guide at About.com, explores the information available on Febreze deodorizer.
The plants and plant parts that are toxic, and what symptoms you can expect to find if the plant is eaten.
As the weather improves and people spend more time outside however, the possibility of pets being poisoned increases.
