The Dayton Emergency Veterinary Clinic, Dayton, Ohio

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Common Household Toxins

COMMON HOUSEHOLD TOXINS

The following household items can be toxic to pets.

HOUSEHOLD

  • Tobacco Products including cigarettes and cigarette butts
  • Lighter fluid
  • Detergents
  • Fabric Softener
  • Bleach
  • Disinfectants
  • Drain Cleaners
  • Oven cleaner sprays
  • Solvents
  • Lead
  • Liquid potpourri
  • Lime remover
  • Mothballs
  • Home insect products, fly, snail and slug bait
  • Mouse and rat bait
  • Flea and tick products
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (i.e. aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.)
  • Acetaminophen/Tylenol
  • Vitamins
  • Anti-depressants
  • Cold and flu medications
  • Diet pills
  • Many over the counter and prescription medications
  • Anti-cancer medications
  • Marijuana, cocaine and other illegal drugs

FOODS

  • Grapes or raisins
  • Avocados
  • Onions and onion powder
  • Garlic
  • Salt
  • Fatty Foods
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Coffee
  • Chocolate
  • Alcohol
  • Tea leaves
  • Raw yeast dough (i.e. bread dough)
  • Anything sweetened with Xylitol (i.e. gum, candy, etc.)

OUTDOOR

  • Antifreeze is HIGHLY toxic even in small amounts
  • Gas
  • De-icing salts
  • Pesticides
  • Cocoa bean shell mulch
  • Algea
  • Swimming pools or hot tubs
  • For a complete list of toxic plants please visit the ASPCA at www.aspca.org/apcc

If your pet has ingested any of the above listed toxins seek veterinary attention immediately. 

When you contact your veterinarian try to have the package that the toxin came in available for reference.  If your veterinarian is not available contact us at (937) 293-2714 or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435.  When you contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center you will be speaking with a board certified veterinary toxicologist who is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year.  The ASPCA does charge a fee for the call.

 

Keep Your Pets Cool During Warm Weather

On a warm day it can take less than 10 minutes for the inside of a car to reach over 100°.  When the outside temperature is 70° the inside of a car can easily be more than 20° warmer.  It is not uncommon for the interior of a car to reach 120° in less than 30 minutes on a warm day.  A common misconception is that cracking your car windows will ventilate the inside of a vehicle enough for your pet.  This is simply not true.  When it is warm outside, it is never safe to leave your pet in the car even for a few minutes.  Even when shaded a vehicle is unsafely warm.

When it is warm outside it is safest to leave your pet at home when running errands. 

Some pets are at an increased risk for overheating. These include young pets, elderly pets, pets with short muzzles, pets with thick coats, pets with dark colored coats, and overweight pets.

If your pet has been exposed to excessive heat:

You may attempt to bring down the body temperature by soaking the dog in cool water.  DO NOT use ice water.  If your pet is unconscious make sure that water does not get into their nose or mouth.  Immediately seek veterinary care.

 

Pets and Disaster: Be Prepared

The following information has been prepared by the Humane Society of the United States in cooperation with the American Red Cross

Our pets enrich our lives in more ways than we can count. In turn, they depend on us for their safety and well-being. Here's how you can be prepared to protect your pets when disaster strikes.

Be Prepared with a Disaster Plan
The best way to protect your family from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan must include your pets. Being prepared can save their lives.

Different disasters require different responses. But whether the disaster is a hurricane or a hazardous spill, you may have to evacuate your home.

In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them, too. Leaving pets behind, even if you try to create a safe place for them, is likely to result in their being injured, lost, or worse. So prepare now for the day when you and your pets may have to leave your home.

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