This is National Poison Prevention week. Keep your furry and feathered family members safe by reviewing this article from the ASPCA on the top 10 Toxins affecting pets last year…

In 2012, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, Illinois, handled more than 180,000 cases about pets exposed to possibly poisonous substances. Topping the toxins list for the fifth year in a row are prescription human medications.

1. Prescription Human Medications
The APCC handled 25,000 cases regarding human prescription medications in 2012. The top three types of medications that animals were exposed to include: heart medications (blood pressure pills), antidepressants and pain medications (opioids and prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Many of these exposures were due to people dropping their medication when preparing to take it, and before they knew it, Fido had gobbled the pill off the floor.

2. Insecticides
Insecticides are used in the yard, home and on our animals. While only 11% of all calls to the APCC are about insecticides, over 50% of the calls to the APCC involving cats pertain to felines exposed to insecticides. Always read the label before using any insecticide on your pet, in your home or in your yard.

3. Over-the-Counter Human Medications
More than 18,000 cases that the APCC fielded in 2012 regarded over-the-counter human products. This group contains acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen as well as herbal and nutraceutical products (fish oil, joint supplements). Many of these products are tasty to pets, and some can be life threatening if ingested.

4. Veterinary Products and Medications
Veterinary products made up nearly 6% of the APCC’s case volume for 2012. Both OTC and prescription veterinary products are included in this group. Flavored tablets make it easy to give your pet pain or joint medication, but it also makes it more likely for them to ingest the entire bottle if given the chance.

5. Household Products
There were more than 10,000 calls to the APCC about household products in 2012. Household toxins can range from fire logs to cleaning products. Some items can be corrosive, while other can cause obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract requiring surgical intervention.

6. People Food
More than 5% of our cases in 2012 were related to the ingestion of people food. One particularly common food accidentally ingested by pets is xylitol (the sugar substitute). Xylitol can cause seizures and liver failure in dogs.

7. Chocolate
Chocolate is still the number one people food that pets ingest (we received over 8,500 calls last year). Too much chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, high heart rate and seizures.

8. Plants
More than 7,000 cases in 2012 were pet parents calling about their animals eating plants. This is one category that cats lead dogs in the number of exposures. Lilies can cause kidney failure and death in cats. Please see our list of toxic/non-toxic plants for more information.

9. Rodenticides
When putting out baits to kill mice and rats, never underestimate the resourcefulness of your pet. Nearly 4% of calls to the APCC in 2012 were related to baits. Depending on the type of rodenticide, ingestion can cause internal bleeding, kidney failure or seizures.

10. Lawn and Garden Products
Fertilizers, which can be made of dried blood, poultry manure and bone meal, are very attractive to pets, so it is not surprising that we get many calls (almost 3,600 in 2012) on lawn and garden items.
If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

(source: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/top-10-pet-poisons-of-the-year.aspx)

Most of us probably have a first aid kit at home or in our car—but do you have first aid supplies for your pet? It’s a good idea to keep some pet-specific first aid items on hand in case of emergency and when you are travelling with your pet. Pet first aid kits are available for purchase but it’s easy to make your own as well. Here’s what to include as suggested by the Humane Society:

Pet-specific supplies
• Pet first aid book
• Phone numbers: veterinarian, nearest emergency veterinary clinic (and know how to get there!), poison-control center or hotline (such as ASPCA poison control center at 1-800-426-4435)
• Paperwork (in a waterproof container or bag): proof of rabies vaccination status, copies of other important medical records, current photo of your pet in case he gets lost
• Nylon leash
• Self-cling bandage (Stretches and sticks to itself but not to fur—available at pet stores and through pet supply catalogs)
• Muzzle or strips of cloth to prevent biting (as long as pet is not vomiting, choking, coughing, or otherwise having difficulty breathing)

Basic Supplies
• Absorbent gauze pads
• Adhesive tape
• Antiseptic wipes, lotion, powder or spray
• Blanket (foil emergency blanket)
• Cotton balls or swabs
• Gauze rolls
• Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting when directed by a veterinarian or poison control)
• Ice pack
• Non-latex disposable gloves
• Petroleum jelly (to lubricate thermometer)
• Rectal thermometer (your pet’s temperature should not rise above 103°F or fall below 100°F)
• Scissors (with blunt ends)
• Sterile non-stick gauze pads for bandages
• Sterile saline solution (sold at pharmacies)
• Tweezers
• A pillowcase to confine your cat for treatment
• A pet carrier

Additional useful items
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) if approved by a veterinarian for allergic reactions. Vet must specify correct dosage for your pet’s size.
• Ear-cleaning solution
• Expired credit card or sample credit card (from direct mail credit card offers) to scrape away insect stingers
• Glucose paste or corn syrup (for diabetic dogs or those with low blood sugar)
• Nail clippers
• Over-the-counter antibiotic ointment
• Penlight or flashlight
• Plastic eyedropper or syringe
• Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) to clean thermometer
• Splints and tongue depressors
• Styptic powder or pencil (sold at veterinary hospitals and pet supply stores and your local pharmacy)
• Temporary identification tag (to put your local contact information on your dog’s collar when you travel)
• Towels
• Needle-nosed pliers

In addition to the items listed above, include any items recommended by your veterinarian specifically for your pet. Check the supplies in your pet first aid kit occasionally. Replace any items that have expired.
For your family’s safety, keep all medical supplies and medications out of the reach of children and pets.

source: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/pet_first_aid_kit.html

Great tips from She Knows!   It’s warming up out there, so pay special attention to tip #4!

Keep Your Pets Safe

A really informative article on allergies in pets.   Check out the symptoms – your pet may just have an allergy and you may not even know it!

http://www.healthypet.com/petcare/DogCareArticle.aspx?art_key=f5cc7406-3709-496f-a2be-21200c323be0

An interesting article about being cautious with your dryers and your kitties.   They may look really cute sleeping inside but it is a potentially dangerous activity to encourage!

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/veterinaryqa/a/CatDryerWarning.htm