Summer is nearly upon us and that's good news for our companion animals. It means longer days, camping trips, hikes, playing ball in the backyard, and generally enjoying the relaxing "dog days" of summer. However, summertime can also mean increased dangers to our pets. These dangers can
include poisoning from toxic plants/flowers/insecticides, and poisoning from household products/foods.
Imagine this...I'm having a barbecue party with friends in my back yard. We're grilling burgers, playing croquet, and soaking up the summer weather. While I'm distracted with serving potato salad, I don't see one of my dogs munching on grapes that my kids accidentally dropped on our deck. "Uh Houston...we have a problem" (grapes are highly toxic and even a few can cause significant kidney damage).
Luckily, the ASPCA has made a list of the top 10 poisons dangerous to our pets: (www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control)
1.Human medications. Last year, over 45,000 calls were received by the ASPCA poison control center involving a pet accidentally ingesting a human medication (acetaminophen and cats for example...NOT a good scene).
2. Insecticides
3. "People" food such as grapes, raisins, avocados, baker's chocolate (or any food containing methylxanthines), and any food with the sugar substitute xylitol
4. Plants such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and Lilies
5. Misuse of veterinary medications
6. Rodenticides
7. Household cleaners including bleaches, detergents, and disinfectants
8. Heavy metals like lead, zinc, and mercury found in paint, linoleum, and lead dust
9 Garden products such as fertilizers and products that accelerate and enhance flower growth
10. Chemical hazards such as ethylene glycol (found in engine antifreeze/coolant), paint thinners, pool/spa chemicals, and drain cleaners.
Can anyone think of some other possible toxins for our pets? I welcome your ideas and suggestions!
P.S. Hey folks, a few days after writing this post, I realized that the list of "people food" hazards was incomplete. I also need to include:
- Leeks, onion, garlic, and chives (large amounts can cause red blood cell destruction
- Caffeine (it affects the animal's metabolism in damaging ways)
- Yeast or any type of dough with yeast in it (the yeast grows in the stomach causing it to distend and sometimes twist...this is known as "GDV-" gastric dilitation and volvulas and can be fatal)
- Fatty foods like butter, meat scraps, and grease (can cause severe pancreatitis)
- Alcohol (animals have trouble metabolizing it)
Glad we got those in there...let's protect our pets!
(photo from Dreamstime.com)
--Dana
Q: I find I'm having a problem with how to react to my neighbors ailing dog. Her dog has been ill for quite some time and has not had a good "quality of life". Now my neighbor and her husband are going on a three week vacation to Europe. Their grown son will watch their dog for them while they are gone, but he has a young dog of his own which stresses the sick one. My neighbor can't come to grips with euthansia. She says she is waiting for her dog to die naturally. From my own personal experience, we took a week long vacation when I knew that my dog was ailing and wouldn't be around much longer. In retrospect, I resent and regret that we took that vacation at that time.
I don't know what to say to her when she talks about her plans, as I don't agree with how she is handling things. However, she has not asked for my advice and I know it is strictly her business. How can I keep from saying the wrong thing?? ---
willthepill, CO