Pet Poison Prevention Tips (Adobe Acrobat PDF file)
Alcoholic beverages & Hops
Ethanol is the component in alcoholic beverages that can be toxic when an excessive amount is ingested. Pets can be highly affected by small amounts of alcohol. Toxicity can cause a wide variety of signs, and may even cause death. Signs can include odor of alcohol on the animal's breath, staggering, behavioral changes, excitement, depression, increased urination, slowed respiratory rate or cardiac arrest and death.
Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches and Plums. Ingestion of large amounts of stems, seeds and leaves of these fruits can be toxic. They contain a cyanide type compound and signs of toxicity include apprehension, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation and shock.
Avocados. The leaves, fruit, bark and seeds of avocados can all be toxic. The toxic component in the avocado is "persin," which is a fatty acid derivative. Signs of toxicity include difficulty breathing, abdominal distension, fluid build-up in lungs, abdomen and sac around the heart. The amount that needs to be ingested to cause signs is unknown. Do not feed your pet any component of the avocado.
Candy or Gum containing Xylitol
Chocolate and Coffee
Chocolate concentrations http://www.vspn.org/Library/misc/VSPN_M01325.htm
Cocoa Bean Mulch Hazard
Dairy Products are not highly dangerous but can pose problems. The high fat content can cause a risk of pancreatitis. Also, pets lack the enzyme required to digest lactose. This affects some pets more than others causing gas to diarrhea. Small amounts of plain yogurt or cheese may be tolerated but it is probably safest to avoid dairy products altogether.
Fatty Foods, leftovers or getting into the trash can cause pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can affect any pet, but miniature or toy poodles, cocker spaniels and miniature schnauzers are particularly prone. Signs of pancreatitis generally include a sudden onset of vomiting, sometimes diarrhea and abdominal pain. Abdominal pain is often noted as hunched posture or "splinting" of the abdomen when picked up. The dog may become very sick quickly and often needs intensive fluid therapy with medications to control vomiting, acid build-up in the stomach, special food (once vomiting stops) and sometimes antibiotic therapy.
Garlic & Garlic powder
Red blood cell damage can occur due to garlic and onion ingestion. The use of garlic and other members of the Lily family such as onions, shallots, and chives is not advised. Ingestion of these plants in a raw, cooked, or dried form can lead to damage of the red blood cells, which are rejected by the body from the bloodstream, and a continued use of garlic or onions can eventually result in hemolytic anemia.
"An alkaloid, N-propyl disulphide, present in both cultivated and wild onions, chives, and garlic, affects the enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, in red blood cells that interferes with the hexose monophosphate pathway. Oxidation of hemoglobin results because there is either insufficient phosphate dehydrogenase or glutathione to protect the red blood cells from oxidative injury. The resulting formation of Heinz bodies within erythrocytes is characteristic of onion poisoning. (...)"
Marielle Gomez-Kaifer, PhD, Department of Chemistry, University of Miami
Grapes & Raisins
Macadamia nuts
Nicotine (Cigarettes, Cigars, Snuff, chewing Tobacco)
Tobacco products can be fatal to dogs and cats if ingested. Signs of nicotine poisoning often develops within 15-45 minutes. Adverse clinical signs include excitation, salivation, panting, vomiting and diarrhea. Muscle weakness, twitching, increased heart rate, depression, coma, and cardiac arrest can follow. Did you know a study of cats exposed to cigarette smoke showed a significant increase in the incidence of Lymphoma cancer?
Onions and onion powder (see Garlic)
Rhubarb leaves
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/rhubarb.html
Salt
http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/vettech_0202.pdf?docID=344
Tomato leaves and stems
Yeast dough
Ingested uncooked bread or yeast dough can rise and expand in the stomach. Pets who have eaten yeast dough may experience abdominal pain, bloat, vomiting, disorientation and depression. The breakdown product of rising dough is alcohol, which can cause alcohol poisoning. Many cases like this require surgical removal of the dough. Even small amounts can be dangerous.
