Poison Prevention Month: Pet Poisons to Be Aware Of

March is poison prevention awareness month, a fitting occasion to go through the pet poisons that can affect your furry friend. Pet poisoning events are more common than most people would think. Most times, people are unaware of the poison until their pet ingests it and starts to suffer.

When your pet ingests poison, and you see it happen, it is vital to take measures immediately. You can call your vet and tell them exactly what has happened; they will guide you on the steps to take. If you did not see, but your pet is showing the symptoms of poisoning, take them to the vet immediately for treatment.

Human Medication

Due to the pandemic over the recent years, people stocked up on various medications in case they needed them. While they had all the good intentions, this increase in human medicines in the homes made them dangerous places for their pets. Pets do not know if food is harmful to them, especially if the smell does not work up their instinct. Thus, medication may smell and taste harmless to them.

Pets’ biological systems are different from humans, and they are much smaller. This means they are more prone to overdosing on regular medication, let alone a whole packet. One of the most common medications found in almost all homes is paracetamol. Paracetamol is immensely useful to humans but is deadly to pets. If your pet ingests any medication, take them to the vet immediately for treatment.

E-cigarettes

E-cigarettes have been growing in popularity. People use them to enjoy a favorite pastime but stay healthy. While this may seem noble, they are not safe for everyone in the home. E-cigarettes have a high nicotine level that is dangerous to pets. You must rush your pet to the vet's clinic if they ingest the refills.

Symptoms

Some symptoms that may arise when your pet ingests e-cigarette refills are

• Vomiting
   

• Diarrhea
   

• Increased heart rate and breathing
   

• Poor coordination
   

• Coma

Sweets

Yes, you read that right—sweets. It's not all sweets, however; only the ones with the artificial sweetener called xylitol. The scary thing is that it is used in candies and foods you may have around the house. You can find toothpaste and supplements with the sweetener as a main ingredient.

When your pet ingests xylitol, they will experience a life-threatening drop in sugar levels. This is from only a small amount, such as a piece of chewing gum. If they ingest more, they could have liver damage.

Chocolate

Chocolate is one of the most known pet poisons. However, some people do not know how it can affect their pets. There are specific substances in chocolates that are toxic to pets. The more cocoa content in chocolate, the more lethal it is to your dog or cat.

Symptoms

If your pet ingests chocolate, it may present the following symptoms

• Vomiting
   

• Diarrhea
   

• Rapid breathing
   

• Restlessness
   

• Hyperactivity

For more on pet poisons to be aware of this poison prevention month, visit Liberty Animal Clinic at our office in Hinesville, Georgia. Call (912) 368-4080 to book an appointment today.