Poison Control

Warning: Deadly Dangers of Antifreeze

Monday, January 16, 2012 - 1:15pm

dog outside

Brr…winter’s chill may have settled in your neighborhood, but Fido still needs to go out for walks. Please take it slow, pet parents, and keep your eyes open for suspicious puddles.

ASPCA poison control experts warn that the toxic dangers of antifreeze can turn a simple stroll into a devastating event for our furry friends. Used to protect cars from extreme temperatures, antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, a colorless and odorless alcohol known for its sweet taste.

“Antifreeze is a serious safety concern for both cats and dogs,” says Mindy Bough, Vice President of Operations for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. “Unfortunately, just a few licks can cause kidney failure and death in a matter of days—even a small amount that may be licked off a paw is enough to cause serious harm.”

As always, if you suspect your pet has consumed a toxic substance, please note the amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

For a full list of cold weather tips, visit our pet care section.

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Poison Control

Deadly or Not? Busting the Poinsettias Myth

Thursday, December 6, 2012 - 4:30pm
Poinsettia

Can you believe it’s December already? Candy canes, twinkly lights and bow-topped gifts abound. But before we bring out the eggnog, it’s high time we clear the air about one type of holiday décor that has gotten a pretty bad rap: the poinsettia.

Believe it or not, pet parents, these festive plants are not the deadly flowers legend has made them out to be. The myth of the plant’s toxicity actually began in the early part of the 20th century, after the two-year-old child of a U.S. Army officer allegedly died from consuming a poinsettia leaf. As a result of this rumor, the plant has never lived down its poisonous reputation.

Okay, so you still don’t necessarily want your pets to eat them. Because consuming poinsettias may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation, keeping these plants out of pets’ reach is still a good idea. But there’s no need to banish them altogether.

So, what do you say? Let’s give this plant a break—I hear they make quite the centerpiece.

For a full list of seasonal tips, check out our top holiday hazards.

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Pet Care
Poison Control

No Trip to the Beach: Popular House Plant Toxic to Pets

Thursday, July 7, 2011 - 11:15am

Sago Palm Are you daydreaming of a sandy beach and palm trees? Paradise, right? Not so fast, says Fido. Though palm trees evoke relaxation of the highest order, Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)—a stocky member of the Cycad family of plants—can be downright dangerous to our furry companions.

According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, Illinois, pet poisonings from the increasingly popular Sago Palm are on the rise. A native of Southern Japan, the plant is a common addition to outdoor landscaping in sunny climes, and in recent years, has emerged as a trendy houseplant in northern states. Though attractive with its dark green leaves and hairy trunk, Sago Palm is highly toxic to cats and dogs. Common signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures and liver failure.

Many pet parents may not be familiar with the toxic effects of Cycad Palms and assume only the seeds or nuts are poisonous—but all parts of the plant are toxic.

As always, pet parents should guard against any mishaps and place Sago Palm well out of the way of their animal companions. Or consider a non-toxic alternative—it will brighten your home and keep the dog days of summer cool and carefree.

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Pet Care
Poison Control

What Hazards Are Lurking in Your Garden?

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 - 3:15pm

dog in gardenIt´s time to treat the lawn, spray the trees and, of course, plant the garden. If you're a pet parent, please read this before you begin exercising your green thumb.

Every year the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) receives tens of thousands of calls involving animal companions who’ve been exposed to potentially deadly garden hazards.

The same products that produce vibrant lawns can cause serious health problems for our companions. In fact, many common plants can be poisonous, while fertilizers, weed killers and pesticides also pose serious hazards if not handled correctly.

Please read our Guide to Pet-Safe Gardening. Your pet is depending on you.

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Pet Care
Poison Control

Beware of Nibbling—ASPCA Experts Offer Thanksgiving Safety Tips!

Monday, November 22, 2010 - 3:15pm

Friends, family and feasts—the main ingredients for holiday fun can actually result in distress for pets. Not only can too many table scraps set furry tummies a-rumble, but many animals get anxious at the change in household routine.

The following tips will help guarantee a safe and fulfilling Thanksgiving for you and your companions:

Talkin’ Turkey
If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don't offer her raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.

Sage Advice: This peppery herb makes stuffing taste delish, but also contains essential oils and resins that can cause pets to suffer stomach upset and possible depression of the central nervous system.

No Bread Dough
Don't spoil your pet’s holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal's body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.

To learn more, read our complete list of Thanksgiving Safety Tips straight from our experts.

If you suspect your pet has ingested a harmful substance, on Thanksgiving or at any time, please call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

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Pet Care
Poison Control

Pet Health Alert: FDA Issues Warning on Buying Pet Drugs Online

Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 11:00am

Although it may be tempting and convenient to order your pet’s medications online, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to pet parents about unregulated online pharmacies that sell expired or counterfeit drugs without a prescription. According to the FDA, foreign and domestic web pharmacies may ask pet parents to fill out an online form and then falsely claim that a veterinarian will evaluate the pet’s condition to prescribe the appropriate treatment.

“Some of the Internet sites that sell pet drugs represent legitimate, reputable pharmacies,” says Martine Hartogensis, D.V.M., deputy director of the Office of Surveillance and Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). “But others are fronts for unscrupulous businesses operating against the law.”

The ASPCA does not recommend that pet parents forgo purchasing pet drugs on the Internet altogether, but encourages the active participation of your veterinarian in any decision to medicate your pet. “All pet drugs should be prescribed by a veterinarian after an in-person physical exam, and should either be purchased from that veterinarian or outsourced to a reputable pharmacy, whether on- or off-line,” says Dr. Camille DeClementi, ASPCA Senior Director of Medical Records.

Dr. DeClementi also recommends that pet parents avoid purchasing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)—one of the most common types of drugs dispensed online without a prescription—to treat their pet’s pain without consulting a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause of the pain. NSAIDs can be dangerous if not dispensed properly, and pets who are taking these drugs should be monitored closely.

If you do decide to purchase your pet’s medications online, please follow these smart practices:

  • Bring your pet to a veterinarian for a physical exam and obtain a written prescription for any necessary medications.
     
  • Ask your veterinarian if he or she uses an online pharmacy service. These services are state-licensed and require the active participation of a reputable doctor.
      
  • Only purchase medication from websites that are Vet-VIPPS (Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) accredited. Check to see whether the online pharmacy you’re considering is accredited at www.nabp.net.
       
  • Mail or fax your veterinarian’s written prescription to a Vet-VIPPS accredited pharmacy.

For more helpful tips and to watch an informational video about purchasing pet drugs online, please visit the FDA’s consumer health information page.

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Advocacy
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Poison Control

Beef Dog Treats Recalled for Possible Salmonella Contamination

Thursday, September 9, 2010 - 10:30am
Sad Dog

Hartz Mountain Corporation has issued a recall for one lot of Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats for Dogs, after random samples tested positive for Salmonella. The voluntary recall includes 74,700 8-oz bags of Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats for Dogs, lot code BZ0969101E, UPC number 32700-11519. No reports of illness have surfaced, but the ASPCA and the FDA recommend all pet parents immediately discontinue use of and properly discard the recalled product.

Although pets are fairly resistant to Salmonella-related disease, affected pets may show decreased appetite, fever, lethargy, vomiting, abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. Humans should avoid contact with suspect food and follow strict hand washing procedures. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

For more information about this recall and the affected brand, please visit the FDA’s website.

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Pet Care
Poison Control

Pet Food Recall: Dry Dog Food May Be Affected by Salmonella

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 - 11:00am

The ASPCA is advising pet parents to immediately discontinue the use of Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food with the "best by" date of June 17, 2011, in 5- and 28-lb. bags. The manufacturer has announced a voluntary recall due to potential Salmonella contamination. No illnesses have been reported, and the Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food with the aforementioned "best by" date is the only product affected. Pet parents should avoid direct contact and wash their hands thoroughly after handling any potentially contaminated food.

While healthy adult dogs are relatively resistant to illness from Salmonella bacteria, pets with health issues, young puppies and elderly or pregnant dogs that may have compromised immune systems may be at greater risk for becoming ill. Dogs who do become ill from Salmonella may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy, and drooling or panting—an indication of nausea. In severe cases, the bacterium may spread throughout the body resulting in death.

If you suspect that your pet may have eaten the recalled food, please contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. For more information on this health alert and the affected brand, please visit the FDA's website.

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Pet Care
Poison Control

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