Based on our Pet Poison Helpline call volume and extensive data base, here are the top 10 toxins of 2009 that our
pets get into! Now that you've seen this list, take special care to keep these out of your pet's reach and pet-proof your
house!
DOGS:
1 Chocolate
2 Insect bait stations
3 Rodenticides
4 Fertilizers
5 Xylitol-containing products (i.e., sugar-free gums and candies)
6 Ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin® in brand name or generic form)
7 Acetaminophen (Tyleno®l in brand name or generic form)
8 Silica gel packs
9 Amphetamines, such as ADD/ADHD drugs
10 Household cleaners
CATS:
1 Lilies
2 Canine permethrin insecticides (topical flea and tick medicine designed for dogs but
erroneously placed on cats)
3 Household cleaners
4 Rodenticides
5 Paints and varnishes
6 Veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (Rimadyl®, Deramaxx®)
7 Glow sticks/glow jewelry
8 Amphetamines (such as ADD/ADHD drugs)
9 Acetaminophen (Tylenol® in brand name or generic form)
10 Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin® in brand name or generic form)
Pet Poison Helpline (PPH) is an Animal Poison Control that provides treatment advice and recommendations relating to
exposures to potential dangerous plants, products, medications, and substances, to veterinarians, veterinary staff and
pet owners 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please be aware there is a $35.00/per case consultation fee. Pet Poison
Helpline is located in Bloomington, Minnesota. The Helpline number is 1-800-213-6680.
If you suspect your pet has ingested any of these items or any other questionable substance, call Pet Poison Helpline
or your veterinarian for assistance. Accurate and timely identification of the suspected substance is very important.
Having the container, package, or label in hand will save valuable time and may save the life of your pet.
Caring for geriatric pets
Nowadays, it's not unusual for your pet to be a part of your life for a decade--or more! Thanks to improvements in
veterinary medicine, our trusted companions are living longer than ever; as a result, you may notice health problems
that are different from those of their youth. Here are the top issues facing older pets--and breakthroughs that can help
owners give them longer, healthier lives.
Bad Breath
It means: Your pet may simply need to have her teeth cleaned, or, more seriously, she may have dental disease, which
can include problems such as severe plaque, gingivitis, bleeding gums, tooth loss, or ulcers. Untreated, oral bacteria
from an infected mouth can spread to the bloodstream or even the heart valves, which can result in a life-threatening
infection. If it's not a dental issue, your vet will rule out other possibilities, including cancerous oral masses or metabolic
problems (like kidney disease or diabetes).
My advice: A dental cleaning will take care of dirty teeth and fend off more serious problems. Though that means
anesthesia--which can be risky in an older pet--keeping those pearly whites healthy is worth it. If your pet has dental
disease, your vet may prescribe antibiotics, followed by a scaling (cleaning around the gumline) and even tooth
extraction.
Lumps and Bumps on Your Pet's Body
It means: Your aging pet has imperfections that we vets dub "old dog warts." But be careful--while most are benign,
there is the risk that some may be cancerous. Cats do not typically develop these lumps, so if you see them on a feline,
they are definitely abnormal.
My advice: Get protrusions checked out by a vet as soon as you can--ASAP in the case of a cat. Your vet should do a
visual exam and use a needle to sample the lumps and pull out cells (called an "aspirate") that will show whether your
pet has a fatty benign tumor (lipoma) or an aggressive cancer. If the masses are benign, they typically don't need to be
removed unless they become ulcerated or limit mobility because of their size and location (on a joint, for example). If
they are cancerous, the doctor will want to schedule surgery or remove them immediately--before they metastasize.
Your Pet Has Trouble Finding His Way Around
It means: The clear part of the eyes (the lens) may have become hazy, a condition called lenticular sclerosis. Your pet
may also develop cataracts, which are white "clouds" on the lens that block vision. The latter may cause your pet to
have a harder time climbing stairs or navigating the yard.
My advice: Have the doctor evaluate your pet's vision by using a bright light to look at the lenses of his eyes. Lenticular
sclerosis affects vision only at distances and in low light and generally does not require treatment. Cataracts, too, can
often be left alone--provided they aren't blinding the animal or causing a secondary inflammation (uveitis).
5 Signs You Need to See the Vet--Stat!
As your pet ages, the chances increase for serious medical problems, such as kidney or heart failure, internal bleeding,
or cancer. Sadly, people often notice the signs too late--which means an expensive ER visit and a poorer prognosis. If
you notice any of these symptoms, get your pet to a vet as soon as you can:
* Shivering or crying
* Lethargy or an inability to stand
* Breathing problems, such as coughing or panting
* Eating issues, including vomiting, a swollen belly, decreased appetite, or weight loss
* A change in urination or drinking patterns
pets get into! Now that you've seen this list, take special care to keep these out of your pet's reach and pet-proof your
house!
DOGS:
1 Chocolate
2 Insect bait stations
3 Rodenticides
4 Fertilizers
5 Xylitol-containing products (i.e., sugar-free gums and candies)
6 Ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin® in brand name or generic form)
7 Acetaminophen (Tyleno®l in brand name or generic form)
8 Silica gel packs
9 Amphetamines, such as ADD/ADHD drugs
10 Household cleaners
CATS:
1 Lilies
2 Canine permethrin insecticides (topical flea and tick medicine designed for dogs but
erroneously placed on cats)
3 Household cleaners
4 Rodenticides
5 Paints and varnishes
6 Veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (Rimadyl®, Deramaxx®)
7 Glow sticks/glow jewelry
8 Amphetamines (such as ADD/ADHD drugs)
9 Acetaminophen (Tylenol® in brand name or generic form)
10 Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin® in brand name or generic form)
Pet Poison Helpline (PPH) is an Animal Poison Control that provides treatment advice and recommendations relating to
exposures to potential dangerous plants, products, medications, and substances, to veterinarians, veterinary staff and
pet owners 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please be aware there is a $35.00/per case consultation fee. Pet Poison
Helpline is located in Bloomington, Minnesota. The Helpline number is 1-800-213-6680.
If you suspect your pet has ingested any of these items or any other questionable substance, call Pet Poison Helpline
or your veterinarian for assistance. Accurate and timely identification of the suspected substance is very important.
Having the container, package, or label in hand will save valuable time and may save the life of your pet.
Caring for geriatric pets
Nowadays, it's not unusual for your pet to be a part of your life for a decade--or more! Thanks to improvements in
veterinary medicine, our trusted companions are living longer than ever; as a result, you may notice health problems
that are different from those of their youth. Here are the top issues facing older pets--and breakthroughs that can help
owners give them longer, healthier lives.
Bad Breath
It means: Your pet may simply need to have her teeth cleaned, or, more seriously, she may have dental disease, which
can include problems such as severe plaque, gingivitis, bleeding gums, tooth loss, or ulcers. Untreated, oral bacteria
from an infected mouth can spread to the bloodstream or even the heart valves, which can result in a life-threatening
infection. If it's not a dental issue, your vet will rule out other possibilities, including cancerous oral masses or metabolic
problems (like kidney disease or diabetes).
My advice: A dental cleaning will take care of dirty teeth and fend off more serious problems. Though that means
anesthesia--which can be risky in an older pet--keeping those pearly whites healthy is worth it. If your pet has dental
disease, your vet may prescribe antibiotics, followed by a scaling (cleaning around the gumline) and even tooth
extraction.
Lumps and Bumps on Your Pet's Body
It means: Your aging pet has imperfections that we vets dub "old dog warts." But be careful--while most are benign,
there is the risk that some may be cancerous. Cats do not typically develop these lumps, so if you see them on a feline,
they are definitely abnormal.
My advice: Get protrusions checked out by a vet as soon as you can--ASAP in the case of a cat. Your vet should do a
visual exam and use a needle to sample the lumps and pull out cells (called an "aspirate") that will show whether your
pet has a fatty benign tumor (lipoma) or an aggressive cancer. If the masses are benign, they typically don't need to be
removed unless they become ulcerated or limit mobility because of their size and location (on a joint, for example). If
they are cancerous, the doctor will want to schedule surgery or remove them immediately--before they metastasize.
Your Pet Has Trouble Finding His Way Around
It means: The clear part of the eyes (the lens) may have become hazy, a condition called lenticular sclerosis. Your pet
may also develop cataracts, which are white "clouds" on the lens that block vision. The latter may cause your pet to
have a harder time climbing stairs or navigating the yard.
My advice: Have the doctor evaluate your pet's vision by using a bright light to look at the lenses of his eyes. Lenticular
sclerosis affects vision only at distances and in low light and generally does not require treatment. Cataracts, too, can
often be left alone--provided they aren't blinding the animal or causing a secondary inflammation (uveitis).
5 Signs You Need to See the Vet--Stat!
As your pet ages, the chances increase for serious medical problems, such as kidney or heart failure, internal bleeding,
or cancer. Sadly, people often notice the signs too late--which means an expensive ER visit and a poorer prognosis. If
you notice any of these symptoms, get your pet to a vet as soon as you can:
* Shivering or crying
* Lethargy or an inability to stand
* Breathing problems, such as coughing or panting
* Eating issues, including vomiting, a swollen belly, decreased appetite, or weight loss
* A change in urination or drinking patterns
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