Poison Prevention
It may be surprising, but many everyday household items can be toxic to our furry family members. The two most common pet toxins are human medications and human food. It’s critical to keep prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines safely stored, and that includes those carried in backpacks or purses. While we may not offer our pets bites from our plates, they are very capable of finding potentially harmful foods on their own, both inside and out of the house. So vigilance is a must.
It’s under-the-radar items like these that can be overlooked when we think about poison, so here is a list of what to ensure is outside their reach.
TOXIC FOOD
Chives, chocolate, currants, xylitol (a sugar substitute often in gum, candy, baked goods, peanut butter, supplements, and vitamins), garlic, grapes, leeks, onions, raisins, scallions, shallots, yeast
TOXIC PLANTS
Azaleas, lilies (cats), oleander, sago palm, tulips
TOXIC PRODUCTS
Rodenticides, ethylene glycol (found in many antifreeze products)
What are the symptoms?
There is a wide range of symptoms that pets may display in response to ingesting toxins and the symptoms vary by substance. You may see vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, lack of coordination, or fever, or other signs of distress. In general, if you are concerned your pet may have been exposed to a toxin, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Time is of the essence.
What can I do?
– Check your household for the items and substances as mentioned above.
– Store your veterinarian’s phone number in your cell phone contacts.
– Look up the location of your nearest emergency clinic, and save their phone number and address in your contacts.
You can contact the San Francisco SPCA Veterinary Hospitals for an urgent care appointment at 415-554-3030.
You can also call the California Poison Control Center at 888-222-1222.