by Angie Pollock

Created on: September 02, 2008   Last Updated: July 25, 2009

Our environment is surrounded with a variety of poisonous and toxic substances, not just poisonous to us but our pets as well. Most pets are curious and tend to put things in their mouth much like a toddler does when exploring the world around them.

-Keep Out of Reach of Pets-

*Rodent and Pest Poisons. Poisons are put out to kill rodents and other pests. Unfortunately, this accounts for the most pet related poisons reported among pets. The first signs of poisoning are agitation and excitability. This is followed by intense pain and seizures which can ultimately lead the animal's death.

*Lead Poisoning. Just like in humans, our pets are susceptible to lead poisoning. Most common in dogs especially puppies, lead poisoning is caused when a pet chews on an object that is either made of lead or has been painted with a lead-based paint.

*Poisonous plants. While some plants may only cause irritation or cause a hallucinogenic state, there are many that can cause vomiting and even seizures which can lead to death. The reactions of the plants may differ among the different species of pet you own. If in doubt, keep these plants out of reach of your beloved pet.

*Antifreeze poisoning. This type of poisoning is not uncommon. Since antifreeze has a sweet flavor, our pets will eat it. New regulations are requiring that antifreeze contain an additive to make it unappealing not only to young children but our pets as well. Signs of antifreeze poisoning include sudden vomiting, weakness, poor coordination leading to coma and eventually death. Dogs that are treated in time and recover may suffer from kidney damage or kidney failure.

*Household cleaners. Every year, thousands of pets are poisoned from common household cleaners. These poisons can cause burns in the mouth, throat and the stomach as well as death if left untreated.

*Food poisoning. Most common among dogs, food poisoning can be serious for pets. The most common food poisoning is chocolate. Signs of poisoning by chocolate include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing and heart rate, seizures and coma. A small sized dog can be poisoned by consuming only 16 ounces of chocolate.

*Human drugs and medications. What we keep in our medicine cabinet can even be harmful to humans if not used correctly but even small doses ingested by our pet can lead to serious conditions. Contact your vet if your pet has consumed any human medications especially if the drug was an antihistamines, sleeping pill, diet pill, heart medication

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