| Did you know
that there are substances in your home that are poisonous to your pet?
You can easily find all of these products in stores. In fact, pet
owners buy and use them regularly. But by reading labels; keeping
informed of what substances are dangerous; and keeping these products
out of your pet's reach, you can substantially reduce the chances that
your dog or cat will become poisoned.
Flea and tick control products can cause
serious toxic reactions when misused. This includes shampoos, sprays,
dips and formulas that treat the environment. Symptoms of poisoning
may appear 1 to 6 hours after exposure and include muscle tremors,
vomiting, excessive salivation and difficulty in breathing. Make sure
to follow manufacturer's instructions when using flea and tick control
products on your pets. Never use a formula that's meant for dogs on
your cat, and vice versa.
Rodent killers are also toxic to dogs
and cats, especially if your pet has been exposed on more than one
occasion. Pets who eat rats and mice who have ingested rodenticide can
also be affected. Symptoms may develop 1 to 5 days after ingestion and
include weakness, weak pulse and internal bleeding.
Over-the-counter drugs also pose a
threat to your pet. The painkiller acetaminophen, to which cats are
especially sensitive, can cause liver failure within 1 to 3 days. A
toxic reaction to the anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen can cause
vomiting and loss of muscle coordination. High doses can be fatal. And
aspirin can be dangerous if ingested, depending on the dosage and your
pet's species.
Do not keep plants in your home that
could be poisonous to your pet. English ivy, for example, may cause
vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity and coma. After ingesting just a
nibble of a tiger lily, a pet can start vomiting within minutes. If
not treated, kidney damage can occur in 12 hours. Many other plants
can cause harm to your animal companion if eaten. Toxicity varies
between species, so check with your veterinarian if you are not sure
if a particular plant is safe or not.
Certain human foods can also be toxic
to dogs and cats if eaten in large quantities. Chocolate, for example,
can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and seizure-like activity within
one to four hours of eating. Onions can cause toxic reactions, too.
In most cases of household poisoning,
early detection and treatment increase the chances of complete
recovery. If you think your pet may have been poisoned, note what he
has eaten and how much, the estimated time of ingestion and any
problems he is experiencing. Immediately call your veterinarian or the
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's 24-hour emergency hot line at
(888) 426-4435. There will be a $45 credit-card charge per case.
The preceding
information was brought to you by
Nutro MAX, natural pet food for superior nutrition,
Taste and performance. For more information, call
1-800-833-5330 or visit
www.nutroproducts.com
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