Pet Poisonings: the Unexpected

Aren't those pictures great? My thanks to Dr. Clarke Atkins for sharing his travel postcards from Africa. 

The holiday season is upon all of us. Families and their guests get busy with festivities, traveling, and cooking. Guests often leave opened suitcases and exposure to a variety of substances. Unexpectedly, a family pet starts showing unusual signs: vomiting, diarrhea, depression, hyperactivity, and even seizures. The common question is “now what?" I thought this might be a good time to go back and look at the emergency contact numbers for poison control – the first step – and contacting your veterinarian or emergency veterinary hospital. 

WHAT ARE THE EMERGENCY PET POISONING HOT LINE NUMBERS? Note both have a fee

ASPCA is 888-426-4435

Pet Poison Hot Line is 800-213-6680 (check out the iphone app) www.petpoisonhelpline.com

There is a Pet Poison Help on iTunes for $1.99



WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON POISONINGS?

This time of year it is human food that is toxic to pets (dark chocolate, xylitol sweetened products, raisins, macadamia nuts, garlic, onions, raw-yeast dough, and grapes), garbage can stuff, and human meds.

SINCE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HUMAN MEDICATIONS WHICH ARE THE MOST WIDELY REPORTED OF CONCERN TO VETERINARY POISON CENTERS?

1. NSAIDs - ibuprofen pain medication (e.g., Advil and some types of Motrin) and naproxen (e.g., Aleve). **may develop serious gastro –intestinal ulcers as well as kidney failure.

2. Acetaminophen—(e.g., Tylenol for pain) is popular. While approved for dogs’ pain (though not very effective) one regular tablet to cats may lead to red blood cell destruction (limiting their ability to carry oxygen) and liver failure.

3. Antidepressants (e.g., Effexor, Cymbalta, Prozac, Lexapro)— can lead to sedation, incoordination, tremors and seizures. Other forms of these medications may lead to elevated heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Cats seem to enjoy the taste of Effexor.

4. ADD and ADHD medications (e.g., Concerta, Adderall, Ritalin)— contain potent stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. ** can cause life-threatening tremors, seizures, elevated body temperatures, and heart problems.

5. Benzodiazepines and sleep aids (e.g., Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, Lunesta)— About half of dogs that ingest sleep aids become agitated instead of sedate. In other pets may see severe lethargy, incoordination (including walking “drunk”), and decreased breathing. In cats, some forms of benzodiazepines (think valium) can cause liver failure when ingested.

6. Birth control (e.g., estrogen, estradiol, progesterone)— small ingestions typically do not cause trouble. However, large ingestions can cause bone marrow suppression and irreversible anemia.

7. Ace Inhibitors (e.g., Zestril, Altace)—Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are commonly used to treat high blood pressure in people and, occasionally, pets. Overdoses can cause low blood pressure, dizziness, and weakness..

8. Beta-blockers (e.g., Tenormin, Toprol, Coreg)—Beta-blockers are also used to treat high blood pressure but, unlike with ACE inhibitors, small ingestions of these drugs may cause serious poisoning in pets. Overdoses can cause life-threatening decreases in blood pressure and heart rate.

9. Thyroid hormones (e.g., Armour desiccated thyroid, Synthroid)—luckily, the dose of thyroid hormone needed to treat low thyroid in dogs is much higher than a person’s dose. However, large overdoses in cats and dogs can cause muscle tremors, nervousness, panting, a rapid heart rate, and aggression.

10. Cholesterol lowering agents (e.g., Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor)— most statin ingestions only cause mild vomiting or diarrhea. Serious side effects from these drugs come with long-term use, not one-time ingestions.


What is the concern about dietary supplements and vitamins in opened suitcases of guests and risk to pets?

Although Vitamins C, K, and E are pretty safe, those of concern include iron, vitamin D, and alpha-lipoic acid when consumed in overdose situations. This is compounded by the artificial sweetener xylitol that is contained in sugar-free vitamins and is very toxic to pets.

What should you do if you think your pet is poisoned?
1. Remove your pet from the area. Make sure no other pets or children are exposed to the area, and safely remove any poisonous material.

2. Collect a sample of the material, along with the packaging, vial, or container for documentation.

3. Don’t induce vomiting or administer milk, food, salt, oil, hydrogen peroxide* or any other home remedies unless instructed by professional advice. *do not use in cats


Betsy Sigmon DVM, Diplomate ABVP canine and feline

Creature Comforts Animal Hospital



Cary, NC