March 15-21, 2015 is National Pet Poison Prevention Week
Every home contains a variety of items that can be toxic and poisonous to our pets. Prevention is the best medicine to keeping our dogs and cats safe and healthy.
Many foods that are safe for people can be potentially be deadly to dogs and cats. Coffee grounds, baker’s chocolate and chocolate containing candy, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, raw meat, raw eggs, and bones can cause serious side effects if ingested by our pets.
Chewing gum, candy and breath fresheners contain xylitol, a chemical safe for people but potentional toxic to our pets.
Many household cleaners can be safely used around dogs and cats but many can be poisonous. Read and follow label directions. As a general rule keep all cleaning products in a secure cabinet, in their original containers and out of reach of our pets.
Garage and yard items can be toxic to our pets. Antifreeze, even if consumed in a small amount can be fatal to dogs and cats. Gasoline, plant/lawn fertilizers, weed killers, and rat and mouse poisons should be stored securely away from our pets and used following label directions.
The most common signs and symptoms of pet poisoning include: vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, convulsions, depression, lethargy and/or black bloody stools.
If your pet shows any of the above signs or you have reason to suspect that your pet has been poisoned call Hamilton Road Animal Hospital at 614-470-5964, Med Vet, (24/7 local pet emergency center) at (614)846-5800, or ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-800-548-2423.