Common Pet Toxicities

Many environmental and household items can be detrimental to our pets if they are ingested.  Foods or medications that are perfectly safe for us, as humans, can be deadly to our pets!  If you are concerned about something your pet has eaten, please call Noah’s or your regular veterinarian immediately for advice. 

One phone number every pet owner should have is the number to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.  ASPCA poison control has the largest database of animal toxicity/poison information in the world.  They are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with veterinary staff to provide assistance if your pet ingests a toxin.  By calling (888) 426-4435, you will be given a case number that can be referenced by our veterinarians.  This is especially helpful in cases of toxicity we may be unfamiliar with, as the ASPCA database can provide us, your regular veterinarian, with the information we need to help your pet!  A $65 fee may be charged to your credit card for this invaluable service.

Below are some of the most deadly and most common toxins we see in pets.

Antifreeze:  Just one small lick of antifreeze can be absolutely deadly to your dog or cat.  The toxic component of antifreeze is ethylene glycol.  When ingested in even tiny amounts, this chemical changes to a crystal in the body and becomes lodged in the kidneys, leading to severe renal failure.  This type of renal failure is irreversible.

   The key to antifreeze toxicity treatment is immediate medical care.  An ingestion of antifreeze in any amount should be considered an immediate emergency.  If treated within 3 to 5 hours or less after ingestion, the patient can make a full recovery.  After 8 hours of ingestion, kidney failure is permanent.  After 12 hours in cats and 36 hours in dogs, the kidneys can completely shut down.

   Prevention is key to this toxicity.  If your car leaks antifreeze on the driveway or in the garage, or if you spill antifreeze, clean it up right away!  Pets are drawn to this toxic substance due to its sweet taste, and will readily lick it up if given the opportunity.

Rat Poison:  Rodenticides, or rat poisons, are unfortunate toxicities in our pets.  Rat poisons work a couple of different ways.  One method is to affect the animal’s ability to clot its blood, which causes internal bleeding.  Another method is to increase calcium in the body, which can lead to tremors or seizures.  If ingested by your pet, these same problems occur. 

   Call your veterinarian immediately if you see your pet ingest any type of rat poison!  Treatment recommendations are dependent on the type of rat poison your pet ingests.  Sometimes inducing vomiting within the first couple of hours can dramatically decrease the severity of problems seen.  In addition, there is an antidote available for rat poisons that affect blood clotting.

   You can help prevent this type of toxicity by not using rat poison products in your home or your yard.  Pets can make their way into smaller crevices and higher places that you think they can to come into contact with these chemicals!

Human Medications:  Probably the most common group of toxins we deal with in veterinary medicine is the ingestion of human medications.  These include prescription medications, as well as over the counter ones.  Remember that our pet’s bodies are usually smaller than ours, and they often function in a very different way.  Medications that we use for a daily headache or a mild fever can be deadly to our pets!

   Over the counter pain medications such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, and naproxen are extremely dangerous to dogs and cats.  The ingestion of as little as ½ tablet of Tylenol can cause life-threatening anemia and liver failure in cats.  A regular strength ibuprofen or naproxen can cause kidney failure in even large breed dogs. 

   If you are ever in doubt about the safety of an over the counter medication for your pet, please call Noah’s or your regular veterinarian for advice!

   If your pet ingests a prescription human medication, please call us immediately!  Many human medications are not routinely used in pets, and early intervention is important for a good outcome for your pet.

Food:  Many foods that we enjoy are not safe for our pets.  Onions and garlic, especially concentrated forms such as powders or salts, can cause anemia in pets.  Grapes and raisins cause kidney failure, and chocolate can lead to hyperactivity and high heart rates. 

   Xylitol, a newer sweetening agent found in bubble gums, bakery frostings, and other sweets can cause severe liver failure if ingested by your pet. 

As always, we are available at Noah’s Central 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to help you!  Our phone line is always open to answer questions for you regarding what is safe for your pet, and what is not.  Don’t hesitate to call!