Tag: poison

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Keep Pets Safe Around Easter

The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association warns that Easter lilies are incredibly toxic to cats causing kidney failure if ingested.  All parts of the plant are poisonous—including the pollen they lick off their own fur.  There is no cure, so it’s important you get your cat to a vet if you suspect ingestion of any of the plant.  Early signs of poisoning are vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy and dehydration.  Tiger lilies, Day lilies and Asiatic lilies are also toxic to cats.

Ingestion of fake Easter grass is another hazard.  It can wrap around the base of the tongue or cause serious intestinal blockage requiring surgery to remove.

Of course, chocolate is another hazard, with darker chocolate being more hazardous.  If you suspect your pet has eaten any of these things, contact your vet or if you’re in North America, the Pet Poison Helpline:  1-800-213-6680

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Human Medication Hazards for Pets

At this time of year when you’re likely to have guests in your home or to be a guest in someone else’s home and there’s lots of hustle and bustle, it’s important that everyone is careful about pets getting access to human medications.  A dropped pill or one left on the counter can be fatal.  The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association has a useful list of the top 10 human medications most frequently consumed by pets and how they’re affected by them.

It also includes these smart tips on how you and your guests can keep your pets safe.

  • Never leave loose pills in a plastic Ziploc® bag – the bags are too easy to chew into. Make sure visiting house guests do the same, keeping their medications high up or out of reach.
  • If you place your medication in a weekly pill container, make sure to store the container in a cabinet out of reach of your pets. Unfortunately, if they get a hold of it, some pets might consider the pill container a plastic chew toy.
  • Never store your medications near your pet’s medications – Pet Poison Helpline frequently receives calls from concerned pet owners who inadvertently give their own medication to their pet.
  • Hang your purse up. Inquisitive pets will explore the contents of your bag and simply placing your purse up and out of reach can help to avoid exposure to any potentially dangerous medication(s).
  • Update: Carrie on Facebook gave the excellent advice to do a room check of your hotel room if you’re staying with your dog.  Other guests may have dropped medication before your stay.

If your pet does ingest any human medication call The ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at 1-(888)-426-4435 and you veterinarian.

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