National Poison Prevention Week
It’s National Poison Prevention Week, so Little Paws Academy is taking a moment to share the Top Pet Toxins of 2023 from ASPCA, common signs of poisoning, and what to do if you think your pup has ingested something toxic to help you keep your pup safe.
It comes as no surprise that #1 on ASPCA’s Top Pet Toxins of 2023 list is over the counter medications for humans as they can easily be found in everyone’s home and are commonly used to treat a variety of human ailments. #2, human foods, also comes at no surprise since foods such as grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, and the artificial sweetener xylitol can be found in most kitchens. Continuing down the list is #3 prescription medication and #4 chocolate, which is understandable as they are very similar to numbers 1 and 2. Veterinary products come in at #5, followed by plants at #6, plants. And we finish off the list with #7 household products, #8 rodenticides, #9 insecticides, and #10 recreational drugs.
Now that you know the top pet toxins, here’s a list of Common Signs of Poisoning to help you determine if your pup has ingested something toxic.
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Excessive drooling
Lack of coordination
Weakness/lethargy
Collapse
Excessive thirst/urination
Unusual behavior
So, you suspect your pup has ingested something toxic, what to do you do now?
Seek Help Immediately - Call your veterinarian, go to your nearest emergency veterinary hospital, or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4455 (fee applies) or Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680 (fee applies) immediately. It is vital to find help immediately as poisons can work extremely fast. A veterinarian or Animal Poison Helpline can aid you in deciding what is the best next step to take.
Determine What Your Pup Ingested - Try to figure out what your pup has ingested and how much. If you know what the item is, bring it with you or take a picture of the product with the ingredient list so you can share it with the veterinarian.
Be Honest with the Veterinarian - Be honest with your veterinarian about what your pet may have consumed. They have heard it all. They are there to help you and your pup. Helping them know what your pup has ingested will aid them in address the situation much faster and could save your pup’s life.
The best way to keep your pup safe is to make sure they never come into contact with these toxins by using management tools such as a leash, crate, baby gate, tether, or simply putting your toxins out of reach. However, we know this is not always realistic and accidents happen. Are you going to never buy grapes again simply because you have a pup? Probably not. So teaching your pup a simple command such as “wait” or “leave it” could be lifesaving. If you want to learn more about what it takes to teach your pup these basic commands please contact us and check out our services today!
