by Charlotte Howard

Created on: July 28, 2008

Keeping our pets safe from poison is one of the many responsibilities that come with being an owner. Toxic substances can cause many illnesses and if not treated often lead to severe disability or death so it is important that we are aware of not only the products that are poisonous, but how to prevent poisoning from happening and what to do if it does.

POISONOUS SUBSTANCES

The definition of the word poison' refers to any substance that can cause harm. The following are all considered to be poisonous to pets if ingested or absorbed through the skin.

*Medication any medication can be poisonous if given in the wrong doses, but some animals are more sensitive to drugs than others. For instance, whilst a dog can withstand small amounts of paracetamol it can be fatal if given to cats.

*Household Chemicals Disinfectants, washing soap and alcohol can all spill onto your pet's coat by accident. These can cause severe gastric problems if not treated immediately.

*Plants Although most animals will eat vegetation of some description there are plants that are poisonous and should be avoided.

*Bites & Stings Reptile bites and insect stings can have the same reaction in our pets as they can us.

*Oily Compounds We are all inquisitive creatures by nature, so it is not surprising that cats and dogs want to stick their noses where they don't belong. Unfortunately this can also mean going under leaky car engines and getting oil and petrol onto their coats.

*Herbicides we treat our lawns with weed killer and don't even think about the different animals that roam into our gardens.

*Insecticides Whilst ants and wasps may be a pest to us, it is the poisons we put down to control them that become a pest to our pets.

*Rodenticides Although poisons are generally avoided by pets, it doesn't stop them from picking up an animal that has died by poisoning. Cats are frequently the victims of poisoning by killing a mouse or rat that has recently eaten some rodenticide.

*Molluscicides Slugs and snails wreak havoc in our gardens, but the poisons we put down can affect our pets too.

*Certain Foods Chocolate is one of the most common causes of liver failure in dogs and cats. There are also certain fruits and vegetables that contain toxins, for example tomatoes contain the same toxic substance as deadly nightshade, but whereas we can easily digest this very tiny amount of poison, our pets can't and it will cause fatalities if fed to them.

TREATMENT

It is vital that as soon as you suspect some form of poisoning that you take your pet to the vets for treatment. This usually includes induced vomiting to pump the stomach, as well as putting the animal on fluids through an intravenous drip to flush out all toxins and prevent dehydration from occurring. They will also be given a bath to prevent any more poisons from being absorbed through the skin.

In some cases it may be necessary to contact the poison control authorities. In America you can visit www.aspca.org for more information, whilst in Britain it is www.defra.gov.uk that you need to contact.

PREVENTION

It is very easy to keep our pets safe from poisoning, just make sure that everything is put away after you use them! If you disinfect the kitchen floor, do not allow your pet to walk in that area until it is completely dry. Never leave a toilet lid up, as cats and dogs do drink from the bowl and can easily ingest the bleach that we use to keep them clean.

Controlling the poisons within our homes and gardens is highly important towards the well-being of our pets. Books regarding your specific pet will contain a list of most toxic substances and it is a good idea to keep this close to hand, just in case you do have an accident.

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