Household Pet Hazards
You may not realize all the potential toxins that you have in and around your home that are hazards for your pets. The list is endless, but here are the most common:
Anti-freeze
Deacon or other rodent killers
Symptoms may include:
• Bleeding from mouth
• Blood in stool or urine
• Internal bleeding
Tylenol (Acetaminophen)
Symptoms may include:
• Depression
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Hypersalivation
• Chocolate brown mucous membranes
• Hyperventilation
• Cyanosis (Blue or purple coloring of the mucous membranes)
• Dyspnea (Shortness of breath)
• Facial or paw edema (Swelling)
• Tachycardia (Increased heart rate)
• Hypothermia (Below normal body temperature)
• Hemolysis (Ruptured red blood cells)
• Shock
• Death
Poinsettias
Symptoms may include:
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
House-hold plants
Symptoms vary and are dependent upon the plant ingested
Plant food/fertilizer
Symptoms vary and are dependent upon food or fertilizer ingested
Human prescription drugs
Please call poison control, as symptoms are dependent upon the medication ingested.
Marijuana
Symptoms may include:
• Depression
• Ataxia (Lack of coordination of muscle movement)
• Bradycardia (Low heart rate)
• Agitation
• Disorientation
• Vocalization
• Vomiting
• Hypesthesia (Decreased response to stimulation)
• Hypothermia (Below normal body temperature)
• Mydriasis (Dilated pupil)
• Hypersalivation
• Diarrhea
SOS Scrub Pads
Toilet Bowl Tablets (if your pets drink out of the toilet)
There are also several foods that you may not know that “could” be harmful to your pet:
Alcohol
Symptoms may include:
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Disorientation
• Seizure
• Swollen stomach
Chocolate
Symptoms may include:
• Omitting
• Restlessness
• Hyperactivity
• Tachycardia (Increased heart rate)
• Other heart arrhythmias
• Tachypnea (Rapid breathing)
• Polyuria (Abnormally high production of urine)
• Hyperthermia (Elevated body temperature)
• Tremors
• Seizures
Cloves
Garlic
Grapes or raisins
Symptoms may include:
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Bloody urine
• Restlessness
• Kidney failure
Mushrooms
Symptoms may include:
• Gastrointestinal up-set
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea (possibly bloody)
• Salivation
• Abdominal discomfort
• Lethargy
Macadamia Nuts
Symptoms may include:
• Weakness
• Depression
• Vomiting
• Ataxia (Lack of coordination of muscle movement)
• Tremors
• Hyperthermia (Elevated body temperature)
Onions
Symptoms may include:
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Difficulty breathing
• Jaundice (Yellow coloring of skin, mucous membranes or eyes)
This is just to name a few “common” household items and foods that are harmful to your pet, please visit the ASPCA and the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center.
If you feel your pet may have ingested any of the above, please call our hospital immediately at 303-467-0345 and ask to speak to a certified veterinary technician.
