During the winter months antifreeze is often used during the cold weather along with screen washes and de-icers. These products contain ethylene glycol or methanol which are poisonous but unfortunately appear quite palatable to our pets.
Pet owners and people who use these products should ensure that they are stored well out of the reach of pets and in secure sealed containers. Numerous poisoning cases especially in cats occur because antifreeze has been left outside for cats to drink in people’s gardens.
Signs of poisoning include:
- Loss of balance/unable to walk properly
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Breathing difficulties
- Convulsions/severe twitching
- Kidney damage
You should seek immediate veterinary treatment if you suspect your cat has been exposed to ethylene glycol. Symptoms can start within 30 minutes of ingesting ethylene glycol but it can take a couple of days before kidney failure is seen. Unfortunately treatment is not always successful and euthanasia can be the kindest option.
Chocolate (Theobromine)
Chocolate is one of the most common causes of poisoning in dogs. Generally the higher the percentage of cocoa or the darker the chocolate is the more poisonous it is to dogs. Chocolate contains a stimulant called theobromine and in large quantities this can cause problems with their heart and central nervous system. Dogs should never be given chocolate as a treat and all chocolate should be kept well out of the way from inquisitive dogs.
Signs of poisoning include:
- An increase in thirst
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Hyperactivity
- High temperature and blood pressure
- Abnormal heart rhythm and tremors
- Seizures
- Coma and death
If you suspect that your dog has eaten chocolate and you are concerned please contact your vet immediately. Make sure you have the details of the chocolate consumed to hand as this will help your vet calculate whether the amount that has been consumed is toxic or not.
Grapes and Raisins
It is not very well known among pet owners that these fruits can be poisonous and many people do give them routinely as treats. It is not known why grapes and raisins can be poisonous to some dogs but it has been found that in certain quantities dogs developed acute kidney failure.
Signs of poisoning include:
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Anorexia (not eating)
- Depression
- Acute renal failure
You should seek immediate veterinary advice if you suspect your dog has ingested a quantity of grapes or raisins and you are concerned.
Human Pain Relief Medications
Pet owners often give human painkilling medication to their pets in an attempt to relieve pain without seeking advice from a veterinary surgeon. Human preparations should not be given to animals as this is highly dangerous, especially for cats as just one paracetamol tablet is enough to cause severe illness or death. On occasion dogs have been poisoned by ingesting Ibuprofen and other pain relief tablets that have been left within their reach.
Signs of poisoning include:
- Depression
- Vomiting
- Swelling
- Bleeding from the gut
- Severe stomach ulceration
- Kidney and liver failure
You should seek immediate veterinary treatment if you have administered or your pet has ingested any human medical preparations.
Lilies
Although lilies are very pretty flowers to look at and have in our gardens and homes, they are extremely toxic to our pets, especially cats. This can include the Easter, Stargazer, Tiger and Asiatic lilies. Kittens can be prone to being poisoned by them due to their naturally inquisitive behaviour and habit of eating things. Older cats are at just as much risk from lilly poisoning when they brush against the flowers causing pollen to rub off on their coats. This is then ingested when they groom themselves. As little as one leaf can cause kidney failure in a cat.
Signs of poisoning include:
- Vomiting
- Anorexia (not eating)
- Depression
- Respiratory problems
- Paralysis
- Seizures
- Kidney damage
You should seek immediate veterinary treatment if you suspect your cat has ingested any part of a lilly. Check the labels on the flowers for warnings of toxicity to animals.
Onions and Garlic
These ingredients regularly feature in our own food but can be toxic to dogs and cats. They contain a chemical compounds which provide the odour and taste we associate with these foods. If your pet absorbs these chemicals it can cause damage to their red blood cells resulting in a life threatening condition called haemolytic anaemia. Any type of onion or garlic product can cause a problem for pets, cooked or not. Poisoning usually occurs after a large quantity is ingested or if repeatedly eaten at regular intervals. Symptoms can be seen within 24 hours but it is more common to occur over a few days.
Signs of poisoning include:
- Depression
- Weakness
- Anorexia (not eating)
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
You should seek immediate veterinary treatment if you suspect your dog has ingested onions or garlic and you are concerned.
Rat Bait
This is a relatively common type of poisoning. Typical ingredients include warfarin and bromadiolone. These anticoagulant rodenticides do not produce signs of poisoning for several days after it has been ingested and they cause internal bleeding which can be fatal. The rat bait interferes with the body’s ability to produce clotting factors.
Signs of poisoning include:
- Weakness
- Pale gums and lips
- Nose bleeds
- Bloody urine and faeces
- Bruising on their body
You should seek immediate veterinary treatment if you suspect your pet has ingested rat bait. Remember to ensure you take the container or details of the ingredients in the bait as this is vital information for your veterinary surgeon.
Slug/Snail Bait (Metaldehyde)
Metaldehyde, the common ingredient in some slug baits is an extremely serious type of poisoning and is usually fatal without urgent emergency treatment. Pets are attracted to the bait due to the resemblance to kibble.
Signs of poisoning include:
- Salivation
- Twitching
- Convulsions
- Loss of balance
- Fever
- Fast heart rate
- Respiratory failure
You should seek immediate veterinary treatment if you suspect your pet has ingested slug bait. Remember to ensure you take the container or details of the ingredients in the bait as this is vital information for your veterinary surgeon. You should never use slug bait containing Metaldehyde if you have pets.
