Poison Prevention Awareness Month

Common Household Toxicities

This week we are continuing to recognize March as poison prevention awareness month as we extend our discussion of common household toxicities of your pet dog and/or cat. There are many human medications kept around the house that if accidentally ingested or deliberately given could cause medical issues for your pet. We will touch on just a few of the more commonly reported ones this week. As always if you would like more information about a particular topic or have any questions feel free to contact us via email or call 725-8117!

Acetaminophen Toxicity:
Acetaminophen is the main active ingredient in a number of prescription and over the counter non-aspirin pain reliever medications such as Tylenol. It works as a pain medication and also reduces fever. Acetaminophen is VERY toxic to our feline companions. In GENERAL (varies with size of kitty and strength of pill) one regular strength (325mg) tablet can cause toxicity and a second could potentially be lethal. One extra-strength tablet (500mg) is enough usually to cause toxic symptoms.
Once ingested most species are able to metabolize acetaminophen normally, excreting any toxic products produced during the body’s processing in the urine. However, cats lack the ability to process acetaminophen in this way. This means that toxic products from processing the drug acetaminophen stay within your cat’s body and cause serious, potentially fatal, illness.
The affects of acetaminophen toxicity targets your feline’s liver and red blood cells. It results in the red blood cells being unable to carry oxygen normally, loss of red blood cells (anemia), and liver damage. If your cat ingests Acetaminophen look for these symptoms within 4 hours of ingestion: Pale, white, or blue tinged mucous membranes such as the gums, red or brown tinged urine, swelling of the face and front limbs, not eating, drooling, vomiting, lethargy.
If you notice any of these symptoms contact your veterinarian or closest emergency hospital as soon as possible. If caught within time there is an antidote for the toxicity. However, if left untreated death for our feline companions can occur within 18-36 hours after ingestion. The prognosis depends on how quickly the toxicity is caught.

Our canine friends are susceptible to acetaminophen toxicity as well. Unlike cats, they ARE able to process acetaminophen properly. However, if they ingest too much acetaminophen they are susceptible to liver damage and potentially liver failure. Look for vomiting, lethargy, unwilling to eat, salivation, and yellow-tinged eyes and/or mucous membranes.

Make sure all medication in your household are out of reach from all canine and feline friends. Make sure they are not only elevated but stored within a second area that your cat cannot access. Always know what medications you have that they could potentially become exposed to, and NEVER give any medication that has not been prescribed to your pet by a veterinarian without consulting your veterinarian first.

Ibuprofen:
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with fever reducing, inflammation reducing, and pain reducing properties found in many HUMAN over the counter medications such as Motrin and Advil. Ibuprofen is available in tablet and liquid form, and may be found in topical skin ointment and general cold medicine formulas as well.

Ibuprofen works by inhibiting a the formation of compounds called prostaglandins which are responsible for bringing about the local inflammatory response. However, prostaglandins are necessary for other normal bodily functions such as protecting the lining of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract and making sure your body can clot blood properly.

Although ibuprofen has been used therapeutically in dogs and cats for inflammation, you should NEVER give over the counter or prescription human formulated ibuprofen to your pet due to the high likelihood for side effects. Ibuprofen, even in small amounts can be toxic to your pet and cause life threatening illness. Ibuprofen is not recommended for your pet due to its ability, and high likelihood, of causing stomach ulceration which can lead to life threatening perforation of the stomach and intestines. Ibuprofen also causes blood flow to the kidneys to decrease and may lead to serious kidney side effects and possible failure. An inability to clot blood correctly and liver disease are also known consequences of ibuprofen toxicity.

If you have given your pet, or your pet has accidentally ingested ibuprofen look for these symptoms: not wanting to eat, nausea, salivation, lethargy, vomiting, increased drinking and urination, dark tarry stool, and bloody vomitus. If you notice any of these symptoms, or have witnessed an ingestion contact your local veterinarian or emergency hospital right away. Treatment for ulceration, kidney failure etc can be very successful if instituted quickly.

It is important to remember that not all pain medications are the same. While we do have veterinary formulated non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as Rimadyl (carprofen) and Metacam, they ARE NOT THE SAME as the anti-inflammatory medications you take and can buy over the counter. You should always contact your veterinarian before giving anything at home. We are your best source for safe, reliable information on how to keep your pet healthy and happy.

Adderall
Adderall is a prescription amphetamine commonly prescribed to treat attention deficit disorders in adolescents and adults. This medications and others like it are considered to be in the class of central nervous system stimulants, that also affect the heart. They work by changing the amounts of natural substances within the brain to produce a desired result. Ingestion by your pet can result in very serious consequences and even death. Accidental ingestion by your pet my result in the following symptoms: restlessness, seizure, coma, increased heart rate, panting, abnormal heart rhythm, and trembling. If you witness an ingestion or suspect accidental ingestion call your local veterinarian or emergency hospital right away.

Nicotine products
Products such as cigarettes, nicotine patches, nicotine gum, and other smoking cessation aids can be very harmful to your pet if ingested in a large enough quantity for that particular weight animal. Nicotine, when ingested, has the potential to cause vomiting, diarrhea, elevated heart rate, depression, seizures, dangerous drops in blood pressure, and in very severe cases, death. Always make sure you keep tobacco products out of the reach of your pet, and dispose of smoking cessation aids in a waste bin that is not available to your pet. If accidental ingestion occurs contact your local veterinarian or emergency clinic.

Respiratory Inhalers:
Many inhalers commonly used for human respiratory conditions such as asthma contain medication that if inhaled by your pet in a large dose could cause toxicity. Our dogs and cats like to play and respiratory canisters can easily become punctured therefore expelling a large amount of inhaled medication to your canine and feline friend. One of the most common medications used in respiratory inhalers is albuterol. If your pet punctures one of these containers you might see any/all of the following symptoms: dilated pupils, elevated heart rate, weakness, incoordination, hyperactivity, vomiting, muscle tremors, irregular heart rhythm, and panting. If you notice your pet puncture one of these canisters or find the canister contact your local veterinarian or emergency hospital right away as a high dose can cause death. Always keep these canisters away from your pet’s reach, do not assume they wont chew on them!

Top Ten Common Toxicities according to the ASPCA

In 2011 the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in Illinois fielded more than 165,000 phone calls about substances ingested by their pet that were potential hazardous. Below is a list compiled from their phone calls of the most commonly reported toxicities. Make sure to pay attention to these items that you might have around your house:

1. Prescription human medications (ADHD meds, heart meds)
2. Insecticides
3. Over The Counter human medications (Tylenol, ibuprofen)
4. People Food (chocolate, onions, grapes etc)
5. Household products (mothballs, cleaners etc)
6. Veterinary Medications
7. Rodenticides (rat bait)
8. Plants (lilies, rododendrons, azaleas etc)
9. Lawn and Garden Products (fertilizers, bone meal, manure)
10. Automotive Products (anti-freeze, deicers)

We appreciate your interest an responsible pet owner's regarding potential toxic substances your pet may become exposed to. Please feel free to stop by anytime (35 Harrison st Gloversville NY) or call anytime (715-8117) with more specific questions or concerns.

Dr. Santspree