Do you know what could poison your pet?

Every so often a case comes into work that prompts me to write a blog post about it.  This time I decided to write about poisonous things that you may or may not know are poisonous, either in your house or when you're out walking the dog.

I used the BSAVA/VPIS Guide to Common Canine and Feline Poisons to help me.  It was put together by the BSAVA and the VPIS to aid Veterinary practices.  We can contact the VPIS at any time for advice on a case but they decided to put this book together using their most common cases.

Obviously, this list is very limited.  There are a great many poisonous things out there, and I've chosen to only list a few drugs but, generally speaking, if you're pet eats any of your medication you should contact your Vet as soon as possible.  Not every medication is bad but most of them can lead to problems, especially if ingested in excess.

I've also not listed any actual poisons, for example slug and rat bait, weed and plant killer.  I felt those were kind of obvious but in case they're not ...... THEY'RE POISONOUS!  If your pet ingests any of them or gets them on their coat, contact your Vet as soon as possible.

Another one I've not listed but is common, especially in the winter, is Ethylene Glycol (Antifreeze), it is sweet tasting so pets want to lick it and it is EXTREMELY toxic to them.

As I said, this list is limited, I've tried to keep it to common and/or household toxins.  I'll be listing the onset times of clinical signs as well as what the clinical signs are.  In those lists there may be some words you don't know, I have made a list at the end of any words I think readers may have trouble with.  If there's a word you don't know and I haven't listed it at the end, let me know in the comments.

So on with the list, to keep it simple I'll be using the alphabet as my guide.

Alcohol (Ethanol) poisoning in dogs

Onset of clinical signs within 1-2 hours

Common signs are

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Excitability & agitation then depression
• Ataxia
• Vocalisation
• Drowsiness

Other signs are

• Coma
• Hyperthermia
• Hypoglycaemia
• Urinary incontinence

Treatment of alcohol toxicity

• Induction of emesis
• Monitor & correct hypoglycaemia if present
• Supportive care

Alkali poisoning in cats

Alkalis are present in a number of household products – drain cleaners, oven cleaners, paint stripper, dishwasher products

Onset of clinical signs soon after exposure (as quick as minutes), burns may be painless initially and not immediately evident. Burn onset is dependent on the concentration and volume of alkali and the duration of contact

Common signs are

With ingestion:

• Burning pain in mouth, oesophagus & stomach
• Swelling of lips
• Vomiting
• Haematemesis
• Hypersalivation
• Ulcerative mucosal burns
• Dyspnoea
• Dysphagia
• Shock

Skin/eye contact:

• Deep penetrating burns and necrosis

Other signs are

• Acute complications such as gastrointestinal haemorrhage
• Upper airway obstruction
• Oesophageal stricture

Treatment of alkali toxicity or burns

With ingestion:

• Oral fluids unless severe injury indicates otherwise
• Endoscopy to assess degree of injury
• Analgesia
• Supportive care

Skin/eye contact:

• Irrigation
• Frequent pH testing and further irrigation if required
• Supportive care

Caffeine toxicity in dogs

Onset of clinical signs within 1-3 hours

Dogs with cardiac disease are at a higher risk

Common signs are

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Tachycardia
• Ataxia
• Tachypnoea
• Hyperthermia
• Diuresis
• Dilated pupils
• Polydipsia
• Hyperaesthesia
• Excitation
• Hyperactivity
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Agitation
• Twitching
• Convulsions

Other signs are

• Hypertension
• Cyanosis
• Coma

Treatment of caffeine toxicity

• Oral activated charcoal
• Hydration & anti-emetics if required
• Treat hyperactivity and convulsions if required
• Supportive care

Chocolate toxicity in dogs

Theobromine is the name of the toxic part of chocolate. The darker the chocolate the more Theobromine per gram. Dogs are also at risk from the use of cocoa shells instead of, for example, bark in gardens.

Onset of clinical signs usually within 4 hours, sometimes up to 24 hours

Common signs are

• Vomiting
• Abdominal tenderness
• Hypersalivation
• Polydipsia
• Polyuria
• Excitability
• Tachycardia (sometimes bradycardia)
• Ataxia
• Mild hypertension

Other signs are

• Muscle rigidity
• Tremors
• Convulsions
• Tachypnoea
• Hyperthermia
• Cyanosis
• Renal dysfunction

Treatment for chocolate toxicity if >9g/kg milk chocolate ingested or >1.25g/kg dark chocolate ingested

• Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
• Hydration & anti-emetics if required
• Supportive care

Colchicium Autumnale ingestion in dogs (Wiki page on Colchicum Autumnale)

Alternative names

• Colchicium
• Autumn crocus
• Meadow saffron

Onset of clinical signs within 48 hours

Common signs are

• Gastrointestinal irritation
• Hyperthermia
• Renal impairment
• Liver impairment

Other signs are

• Weakness
• Dehydration
• Recumbency
• Collapse
• Shock secondary to gastrointestinal irritation

Treatment of colchicium autumnale ingestion

• Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
• Intravenous fluids
• Gut protectants
• Repeated blood samples to check renal and hepatic function
• Supportive care

Cordyline & Dracaena ingestion in cats (Wiki page on Cordyline and Wiki page on Dracaena)

Onset of clinical signs within a few hours

Common signs are

• Hypersalivation
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal tenderness
• Depression
• Tachycardia
• Ataxia
• Dilated pupils
• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Dyspnoea

Other signs are

• Renal failure
• Jaundice
• Hyperthermia

Treatment of cordyline and dracaena ingestion

• Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
• Repeated blood samples to check renal and hepatic function
• Supportive care

Lily toxicity in cats

The pollen of the lily is the usual source of ingestion. If the pollen gets on the fur, the cat will then groom it off and ingest it but there is also a risk if the cat eats the petals.

Onset of clinical signs usually 2-6 hours, 24-72 hours for renal impairment to become apparent

Cats with pre-existing renal impairment are at higher risk

Common signs are

• Vomiting
• Anorexia
• Depression
• Renal failure

Other signs are

• Polyuria
• Polydipsia
• Pancreatitis
• Convulsions

Treatment of lily toxicity

• Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
• Wash off any pollen on skin or fur
• Intravenous fluids
• Repeated blood tests to monitor renal function
• Supportive care

Nicotine toxicity in dogs

Onset of clinical signs within 15-90 minutes

Common signs are

• Vomiting
• Hypersalivation
• Pale mucous membranes
• Ataxia
• Tremors
• Tachycardia
• Tachypnoea
• Hypertension, followed by bradycardia
• Hypotension

Other signs are

• Convulsions
• Coma

Treatment of nicotine toxicity

• Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
• Supportive care

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory drug toxicity in cats & dogs (Wiki page on NSAIDs)

Onset of clinical signs within 2-6 hours

Animals with dehydration, hypotension and/or pre-existing renal impairment are at higher risk

Common signs are

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Meleana
• Haematemesis
• Abdominal tenderness
• Ataxia
• Inappetance
• Polyuria
• Polydipsia
• Nausea
• Pale or congested mucous membranes
• Weakness
• Depression
• Lethargy
• Renal failure
• Gastric ulceration

Other signs are

• Tremors
• Drowsiness
• Convulsions
• Dyspnoea
• Hyperaesthesia
• Tachycardia

Treatment of NSAID toxicity

• Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
• Intravenous fluids
• Repeated blood tests to monitor renal function
• Gut protectants
• Supportive care

Oak/Acorn ingestion in dogs

Onset of clinical signs within 1-24 hours

Common signs are

• Retching
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal tenderness
• Lethargy
• Depression

Other signs are

• Meleana
• Haematemesis
• Shaking
• Urticaria
• Gastrointestinal obstruction
• Renal and liver damage

Treatment for oak/acorn toxicity

• Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
• Adequate hydration & anti-emetics if required
• Repeated blood tests to monitor renal and hepatic function
• Supportive care

Onion toxicity in dogs

Baby food has quite a high concentration of onions. I mention this because a lot of dog owners may use baby food to hide crushed tablets in.

Onset of clinical signs is sometimes within 24 hours but more common after several days

Japanese and Korean breeds are at a higher risk

Common signs are

• Inappetance
• Vomiting
• Abdominal discomfort
• Diarrhoea
• Heinz body anaemia

Other signs are

• Jaundice

Treatment of onion toxicity

• Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
• Repeated blood tests to monitor haematological parameters
• Adequate hydration
• Supportive care

Paracetamol toxicity in cats & dogs

As little as a single 500mg tablet is toxic to cats

Onset of clinical signs within 4-12 hours, liver impairment apparent within 24 hours

Cats that are malnourished, anorexic and on current treatment with enzyme inducing drugs are at a higher risk

Common signs are

• Vomiting
• Depression
• Brown mucous membranes
• Tachycardia
• Tachypnoea
• Dyspnoea
• Hypothermia
• Facial & paw oedema (less common in cats)

Other signs are

• Renal damage

Treatment of paracetamol toxicity

• Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
• Repeated blood tests to monitor renal & hepatic function
• Vitamin C
• Oxygen therapy
• Supportive care

Prognosis much more guarded in cats

Pot Pourri ingestion in dogs

Onset of clinical signs within 12 hours, sometimes 24-48 hours

Common signs are

• Vomiting
• Anorexia
• Abdominal pain
• Depression
• Lethargy
• Ataxia,
• diarrhoea
• dehydration

Other signs are

• Hypersalivation
• Haemorrhagic diarrhoea
• Collapse
• Convulsions
• Renal failure

Treatment for pot pourri ingestion

• Adequate hydration & anti-emetics if required
• Gut protectants
• Analgesia
• Supportive care

Quinine toxicity in dogs (Wiki page on Cinchona)

Quinine is in the bark of the Cinchona tree

Onset of clinical signs within 15 minutes – 2 hours

Common signs are

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Lethargy
• Ataxia
• Tachycardia
• Hypotension
• Dilated pupils
• Hyperaesthesia
• Tremors

Other signs are

• Blindness
• Collapse
• Convulsions
• Cyanosis

Treatment of quinine toxicity

• Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
• Adequate hydration
• Repeated blood tests to monitor electrolytes
• Treatment for convulsions
• Intravenous fluids

Raisins/Grapes/Currants/Sultanas toxicity in dogs

Onset of clinical signs within 6-24 hours

Common signs are

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Hypersalivation
• Haematemesis
• Bloody stools
• Anorexia
• Ataxia
• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Acute renal failure

Other signs are

• Haematuria
• Polydipsia
• Pancreatitis

Treatment of grape/raisin/currant/sultana toxicity

• Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
• Intravenous fluids
• Repeated blood tests to monitor renal function
• Supportive care

Salt toxicity in dogs

2-3g/kg of Sodium Chloride is enough to be considered toxic, ingestion of 4g/kg is considered lethal

Onset of clinical signs (vomiting) within a few minutes, (neurological) 1 – several hours

Common signs are

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Depression
• Lethargy
• Tremors
• Polydipsia
• Dehydration
• Ataxia
• Weakness
• Tachycardia
• Tachypnoea
• Neurological signs progress to seizures, coma & death if severe

Other signs are

• Muscular rigidity
• Convulsions
• Coma
• Renal failure

Treatment of salt toxicity

• Induction of emesis
• Repeated blood tests to monitor blood glucose & renal function
• Intravenous fluids
• Supportive care

Tremorgenic Mycotoxin ingestion in dogs

These are fungal metabolites found in mouldy food

Onset of clinical signs 30 minutes – 3 hours

Common signs are

• Vomiting
• Irritability
• Ataxia
• Muscle tremors
• Rigidity with hyperextension of extremities
• Hyperactivity
• Hyperaesthesia
• Tachycardia
• Panting
• Tachypnoea
• Nystagmus
• Dilated pupils
• In severe cases tremors, convulsions & coma

Other signs are

• Risk of aspiration of vomit

Treatment of tremorgenic mycotoxin ingestion

• Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
• Adequate hydration & anti-emetics if required
• Cooling if required
• Treatment of convulsions
• Supportive care

Vitamin D Compound ingestion in dogs

Commonly found in Psoriasis creams

Onset of clinical signs 6-12 hours

Dogs with pre-existing renal impairment are at a higher risk

Common signs are

• Polydipsia
• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Polyuria

Other signs are

• Renal failure
• Cardiac impairment
• Shock

Treatment of Vitamin D ingestion

• Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
• Adequate hydration & anti-emetics if required
• Repeated blood tests to monitor renal function
• Gut protectants

Xylitol ingestion in dogs

Commonly found in artificial sweeteners, chewing gum & nicotine replacement products. Food additive E967 stimulates insulin release & causes hypoglycaemia

Onset of clinical signs within 2 hours, hepatic effects can be delayed up to 72 hours

Common signs are

• Vomiting
• Tachycardia
• Ataxia
• Drowsiness
• Coma
• Convulsions
• Collapse

Other signs are

• Liver failure

Treatment of xylitol ingestion

• Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
• Repeated blood tests to monitor blood glucose levels & hepatic function & treatment as required

DEFINITIONS

Again I've just went alphabetical to make it easier to look up

Anti-emetic – Drug to help stop vomiting

Ataxia – Lack of coordination. Wobbly and uncoordinated gait

Bradycardia – Slow heart rate

Cyanosis – Blue mucous membranes due to lack of Oxygen

Diuresis – Increased frequency of urination

Dysphagia – Difficulty eating/swallowing

Dyspnoea – Difficulty breathing

Haematemesis – Blood in vomit

Haematuria – Blood in urine

Hepatic – Relating to the liver

Hypoglycaemia – Low blood glucose levels

Hypothermia – Low temperature

Hyperaesthesia – Increased sensitivity to external stimuli

Hypersalivation – Increased salivation

Hypertension – Increased blood pressure

Hyperthermia – Increased temperature

Induction of emesis – Administer drugs to induce vomiting

Meleana – Black, tarry faeces usually associated with gastrointestinal haemorrhage

Mucous membranes – Gums, inside eyelids

Nystagmus – Flickering eyes, can be either horizontal or vertical

Oedema – Fluid accumulating under the skin where it shouldn't

Oesophageal stricture – Narrowing or tightening of the oesophagus

Polydipsia – Increased drinking

Polyuria – Increased urination

Renal – Relating to the kidney

Tachycardia – Fast heart rate

Tachypnoea – Fast respiration rate

Urticaria – Commonly referred to as Hives

Heatstroke in Dogs

Hyperthermia is an elevation of body temperature out with the normal range.
Heatstroke is a form of hyperthermia (non-fever) that usually occurs in the hotter weather but it can happen at any time.

There are some predispositions to heatstroke:

• Brachycephalic (short nosed, flat faced) breeds like pugs, shih tzus, bulldogs, boston terriers etc. are more at risk than other dogs purely due to the shape of their face making breathing more difficult
• Very young or very old dogs
• Obesity
• Heart and lung disease
• Dogs with a thick, heavy coat
• Dehydration

All of the above have an increased risk of developing heatstroke.

Things that can cause heatstroke:

• Excessive heat - may be due to weather conditions or being shut in an unventilated area
• Being left outdoors in hot weather without adequate shade and/or water source

Symptoms of heatstroke:

• Panting
• Excessive salivation
• Red gums
• Thick saliva
• Muscle tremors
• Weakness
• Ataxia (uncoordinated gait)
• Vomiting
• Shock
• Coma

What to do if you suspect your dog has heatstroke:

• Contact your Vet ASAP, your dog will need to be seen
• Cool your dog down in transit, don't use ice or ice cold water.  Wet some towels and cover your dog with them, put a fan on them
• Don't force water into their mouth but have drinking water available in case they want a drink

Prevention is better than cure:

• Don't leave your dog in a car - doesn't matter what time of year it is, dogs pant and they can cause a car to heat up real quick
• Don't exercise your dog when it's warm outside.  My own gets walked in the morning when it's cool and then she doesn't get walked again until later in the evening - toilet breaks only during the day
• Make sure your dog has plenty of drinking water
• If your dog is in your garden, make sure they have the ability to get back inside or some form of shelter

This is just some basic info I wanted to put out there as we usually see a lot of dogs in work with Heatstroke at this time of year.

Breedism

Today I'd like to talk about breedism. It's something that I always see in the media, and it's something that never fails to get me riled up.

The above types of dog, if involved in an incident, are described as being "devil dogs". Especially Rottweilers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
I have worked with animals for about 10 years now and, of the above types of dog, I rarely see aggressive ones. For each type, I could count on one hand how many aggressive dogs I have seen. The problem with these dogs are the types of people that buy them. A lot of idiots that think they're "hard" will buy these breeds as a status symbol. Then they don't train them right, or purposefully train them to be aggressive to make seem even "harder".
When truthfully, they're actually just complete dicks that are doing more harm than good.
I'm always reading letters, or such like, from parents and other dog owners saying these dogs should be banned, should all be muzzled etc. Again, the people that write these letters know nothing of what they're writing about.


Now, every Vet Nurse I know, has a breed that they have had run ins with in the past and are wary of. That's not to say we think they're all aggressive and must all be muzzled, my breed?

West Highland White Terriers





Most that I meet in practice are snappy. But I'm not running around saying all Westies should be banned and muzzled, calling them "devil dogs". I'm just more wary around them than other breeds. Although with the small aggressive dogs, I think it's because they're spoiled when they're pups and then, when they're older, it's too late to do anything about it.


So, my biggest bugbear is with the media always blowing these things out of proportion, and idiots buying dogs they know nothing about. So, if you're going to buy a dog? Research the breed first. Take it's training seriously. And socialise from a young age. If every dog owner did thise, we'd see less "devil dog" stories in the media.


To finish this off, here's some cute pictures of some cute puppies. And the classic "staffie smile".

Christmas Hazards for Pets

Yup, it's that dreaded time of year again. Christmas.

I'm a total bah humbug person but, given my day job, I thought I'd write a post about the hazards of christmas to your pet.

Christmas Trees
Yes, the simple christmas tree ... can very easily be pulled down by a curious cat or a hyperactive dog. Please make sure your tree is secured or cordoned off so your playful puppy or climbing kitty cannot be harmed. Also, if you have a real tree, make sure you clean the pine needles up regularly. They're not overly dangerous but they could stick in delicate unshod little paws and would be very uncomfortable.

Lights
Again, very easy for a cat or dog to get tangled in them or chew on them. Make sure they are attached securely and try and cover the cables so they can't be spied by curious eyes.

Tinsel & Ribbon
This stuff can be very dangerous if swallowed. If you're pet is lucky, it could just pass out with no damage. The unlucky ones could end up needing surgery to remove the offending article and also some damaged bowels. Keep everything out of the way from your pets.

Baubles
Anyone that's ever dropped one of these while decorating know how easily they shatter. Just be careful with glass baubles if you have a pet, try and not give your pet the chance to knock any off the tree.

Holly
Holly leaves and berries can be toxic to pets and will cause some gastric upset. Best not to give your pet the chance to eat any.

Mistletoe
Mistletoe, same as holly, can cause some gastric upset and it can also cause some heart problems. So, again, better to not give your pets the chance to eat any.

Ponsietta
While not toxic to pets, it can cause some irritation of the mouth, as well as excess salivation and possibly some vomiting. Again, as with most of the things on here, try and avoid your pet getting a hold of it.

Lilies
A relatively new turn up in the Veterinary field, lilies are extremely toxic to cats. A simple brush up against it leaving pollen on the cat's coat can cause kidney failure. Not just a christmas thing but a lot of flower arrangements will have lilies in them. If you are a cat owner, you should try and avoid lilies completely.

Batteries
Again, not primarily a christmas thing but it is a time of year where people tend to have a lot of batteries around for toys and decorations. Obviously batteries, if chewed, can cause a lot of damage so make sure batteries are well hidden from your pets.

Chocolate
Most people know about this by now but I thought I'd put it in here anyway. Chocolate contains a chemical called Theobromine which is toxic to pets. The general rule is: the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine so the less is needed to be toxic. Try and keep all chocolate away from pets, so don't place chocolate beneath the tree and try not to use chocolate hanging decorations.

Raisins, Grapes & Currants
Not as many people know about this, but grapes, raisins & currants can cause kidney failure in dogs if ingested. Again, the best course is to make sure your dog can't access these.

Turkey BONES
No, turkey's aren't toxic to pets but the bones can cause a lot of damage if ingested. Bird bones are hollow and shatter very easily so if a dog or cat swallows a bone, they can cause a lot of damage to their digestive tract. They can scratch and cut on there way down and could puncture through the intestines, this would require fairly major surgery. So it's just better to make sure your turkey carcass is disposed of properly and don't give your pets a chance to get at it.

Another thing to remember at this time of year is a chemical called Xylitol. It's an artificial sweetener and can be found in a lot of chewing gums and diet sweets. This is, again, fairly new to us in the Veterinary world but it can cause a lot of problems if ingested. And it doesn't need to be a lot. So, like everything else, try and make sure your pet doesn't get a chance to eat it.


When you look at this list, it seems like christmas is a very dangerous time of year, but if you think of all these things as you're decorating and "hiding" (not always from pets) presents, you'll hopefully be hazard free.