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TamiL Oct 17, 2008

Top 10 Human Medications That Poison Our PetsAlthough pet parents are well aware of poisons lurking around their home, many don’t realize that some of the biggest culprits are sitting right on their own nightstands. In 2007, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center received 89,000 calls related to pets ingesting over-the-counter and prescription medications. To help you prevent an accident from happening, our experts have created a list of the top 10 human medications that most often poison our furry friends.

If you suspect your pet has ingested any of the following items, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435. And remember to keep all medications tucked away in bathroom cabinets—and far from curious cats and dogs.

NSAIDs
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are the most common cause of pet poisoning in small animals, and can cause serious problems even in minimal doses. Pets are extremely sensitive to their effects, and may experience stomach and intestinal ulcers and—in the case of cats—kidney damage.

Antidepressants
Antidepressants can cause vomiting and lethargy and certain types can lead to serotonin syndrome—a condition marked by agitation, elevated body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, disorientation, vocalization, tremors and seizures.

Acetaminophen
Cats are especially sensitive to acetaminophen, which can damage red blood cells and interfere with their ability to transport oxygen. In dogs, it can cause liver damage and, at higher doses, red blood cell damage.

Methylphenidate (for ADHD)
Medications used to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in people act as stimulants in pets and can dangerously elevate heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature, as well as cause seizures.

Fluorouracil
Fluorouracil—an anti-cancer drug—is used topically to treat minor skin cancers and solar keratitis in humans. It has proven to be rapidly fatal to dogs, causing severe vomiting, seizures and cardiac arrest even in those who’ve chewed on discarded cotton swabs used to apply the medication.

Isoniazid
Often the first line of defense against tuberculosis, isoniazid is particularly toxic for dogs because they don’t metabolize it as well as other species. It can cause a rapid onset of severe seizures that may ultimately result in death.

Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine is a popular decongestant in many cold and sinus products, and acts like a stimulant if accidentally ingested by pets. In cats and dogs, it causes elevated heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature as well as seizures.

Anti-diabetics
Many oral diabetes treatments—including glipizide and glyburide—can cause a major drop in blood sugar levels of affected pets. Clinical signs of ingestion include disorientation, lack of coordination and seizures.

Vitamin D derivatives
Even small exposures to Vitamin D analogues like calcipotriene and calcitriol can cause life-threatening spikes in blood calcium levels in pets. Clinical signs of exposure—including vomiting, loss of appetite, increased urination and thirst due to kidney failure—often don't occur for more than 24 hours after ingestion.

Baclofen
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant that can impair the central nervous systems of cats and dogs. Some symptoms of ingestion include significant depression, disorientation, vocalization, seizures and coma, which can lead to death.

             

Michelle Helen Oct 17, 2008

Great reminders Tami....if I drop one of my medication pills, I won't stop looking for it until I found it. Same for sewing needles and pins. I use a magnet to capture them if I can't spot them at a glance.

Bear Hearts Oct 17, 2008

Thank you very much Tammi for such great info.  I would like to add something to this as well.  A few weeks ago my dog (1 year old miniature pinscher) was stung by a bee.  Within 5 minutes he went into anaphalactic shock and was just a couple of minutes away from death.  Luckily the vet is right across the street.  We were able to pick up his unconcious body and carry him to the vet.  When he arrived at the vet he was only takin about 5 breaths per minute and his stomach was inflating and deflating like a ballon.  He was in the hosiptal overnight on oxygen.  Not all dogs are allergic, but you can never know until they are stung.  If you do not actually see your dog get stung here are some signs to look for: 

Anaphylactic shock: A widespread and very serious allergic reaction. Symptoms include dizziness, loss of consciousness, labored breathing, swelling of the tongue and breathing tubes, blueness of the skin, low blood pressure, heart failure, and death. Immediate emergency treatment is required for this type of shock, including administration of antivenom in the case of bee or wasp stings.
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art … ekey=10092

At first my dog panting heavily, when he wasnt even running around.  Then he started fainting and regaining consciousness.  Then he had bowel movements while unconscious. 

The vet prescribed EpiPen, which requires a prescribtion and can be aquired in a regular pharmacy.  I will have to give him an injection of this stuff if this were to ever happen again.  It was around $80

I have always wanted a doggy door incase my pup had to use the restroom when I'm not home.  Now, I am so glad I do not have one.  I keep an eye on him at all times while outside.  Here is a photo of my buddy.  His name is Zilo.

Kat Oct 17, 2008

I would like to add another one too - for reptile owners.

In August I to take my Bearded Dragon to the vets to treat pinworms. The nearest reptile specialist to me is an hours drive away, so I took him to the local vets instead (as I had done last year).

The local vet gave him Ivermectin (most often used in cattle) to treat the worms.

I had to take him to the specialist and feed him a critical care solution by syringe (orally) for around 4 weeks. I had to bathe him daily too, to help keep him hydrated.

The Ivermectin causes lethargy and anorexia in Lizards and is usually fatal to Turtles and Tortoises. Dino seemed to struggle with his breathing too, so I had to keep a close eye on that too.

It almost killed him, but with a lot of care I managed to get him back. I had read on a forum that Beardies don't usually survive this treatment.

Bear Hearts Oct 17, 2008

You are very lucky.  I am so glad to hear he is doing well now.   :hug:

TamiL Oct 17, 2008

Thanks all!! Keep adding your tips!!! It will be great info for all of us Pet Lovers

MerBear Oct 17, 2008

I suspect one of my Boston's was stung last weekend. He came home after a good run in the field and was very quiet and lathargic for most of the rest of the day - which is unusual for him. I found a small lump on his muzzle that looked like a bee sting. It wasn't serious enough for the vet but I was keeping a close watch on him.

Marion

TamiL Oct 17, 2008

My little Tiffani had a tangle with a bee back a few years ago, I didnt know it happened until I noticed her face was really swollen on one side, called the vet and they told me to give her childrens Benadryl and the swelling went down really fast....

tuppies teddies Oct 17, 2008

I had a close call with our new puppy a couple of weeks ago.

I was here on the computer and Penny was in the lounge room, she came into the study and had something hanging out of her mouth.

As she loves to chew sticks, I thought this was what she had, at closer inspection it was a sewing needle and when I took it off her the cotton that was threaded came out too.

I had left it stuck in the arm of the couch and she had got to it.

Am ever so careful now....

Jellybelly Bears Oct 18, 2008

Thank you Tami, I'm always careful, but its good to remind ourselves how serious this is......

reading the other stories too....so important to be careful isn't it...needles are a big worry too since I drop so many, yikes!!  snakes are out here now too, which I'm in half panic about each time Pip goes out to the loo now 

Michelle Helen Oct 19, 2008

Robert wrote: A few weeks ago my dog (1 year old miniature pinscher) was stung by a bee.  Within 5 minutes he went into anaphalactic shock and was just a couple of minutes away from death.

Oh Robert, how awful your poor dog got stung and almost died. Thank goodness you were there to get him help. I do hope he is well into recovering now....please his little hear.... :hug:  :hug:

puca bears Oct 19, 2008

I recently read that XYLITOL - which, I think, is an artificial sweetener, is also dangerous to pets..........report of a small dog who almost died after pinching and eating a couple of sticks of chewing gum.
Just show - you can never be too careful!
huggies
Maria

Us Bears Oct 20, 2008

Cigarettes & Tabacco:

Randy once had a cat which got very, very sick when it ate almost a whole pack of his ciggies!   
The poor cat was hyperactive and had an accelerated heartbeat/breathing rate for almost a whole day.  He was horking up all his food and water too!

The vet said that tobacco has an effect on cats like "mega catnip."

Cats will get into everything if you're not careful.  Appearently, some cats think tobacco smells good.  Randy left his pack out on the coffee table and the cat smelled them from far away.  By the time he figured out what had happened, the cat was lying on the floor with a pile of half-chewed cigarettes strewn all about the floor!

Hey!  It's a free country!  Smoke if you really want to.
Us Bears happen to think it's a silly habit.  That's why we talked Randy into quitting.  ;)

But, if you're not going to quit smoking, it would be a wise move if you would keep your smokes in a cupboard or in a drawer some place.

fredbear Oct 21, 2008

Thanks for sharing this. Always good to get a reminder that one has to be careful with both animals and small children.

Lynette

Densteds Oct 21, 2008

Never feed chocolate or onions to dogs, our TV vet is always telling us this....

Barling Bears Oct 21, 2008

Hi everyone,

One important point I heard of a little while ago was concerning raisins. 

Apparently they are extremely toxic to dogs and can kill them in some cases.  So if your dog tends to nibble on left over cake, be careful.

Hugs

Marilyn

Barling Bears Oct 21, 2008

Whoops,  just thought of another one, this time for cat lovers.

Apparently you have to be extremely careful with some lilies that you grow.  I think it has to do with the pollen or something rubbing off onto the coats of cats as they brush past them.  Then, of course, when they go to lick their coats, they ingest it and it can be fatal.  This can also apply to lilies that have been cut and placed in vases.  I am not sure whether this applies to all lilies or just certain ones, but I keep clear of them completely.

Hugs

Marilyn

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorOct 21, 2008

Hi everyone,

One important point I heard of a little while ago was concerning raisins. 

Apparently they are extremely toxic to dogs and can kill them in some cases.  So if your dog tends to nibble on left over cake, be careful.

Hugs

Marilyn

I've read that grapes are toxic to dogs, so that must be the reason that raisins are.

Linda Oct 22, 2008

We had a couple of Kelpy crosses years ago, who went every where with us in the car. They once ate a whole kilo bag of sultanas (golden raisins), when we had left them in the car with the shopping. They didn't seem to come to any harm, though they did have unusual bowel movements afterwards    Needless to say we were careful about what we left in the car with them after that!!!!!!!

puca bears Oct 22, 2008

I do wonder whether some of these reactions to say, chocolate or grapes, are size (of dog)related..........we've always had Giant breed dogs, and every one of them has LOVED grapes . O.K. - they don't get to eat them by the bucket load, but we've never had a problem. Tho' maybe we've just been lucky - I would probably think twice before giving grapes to a new pup.
huggies
Maria

Laura Lynn Banner SponsorOct 22, 2008

What a wonderfully informative thread!  Thanks Tami!

Robert, oh my gosh!!!  Thank goodness your vet was SO close!  Zilo looks wonderful!  I'm so glad you were able to save him!  We have 4 whippets and a Chihuahua (Sequoya).   

Sequoya is only 4 pounds.  We live near the forest preserve and have hawks and owls about.  I NEVER let her outside by herself as she's even smaller than the rabbits that get carried away - and a fence won't keep out hawks and owls!  I've heard many stories of small dogs being lost this way :(

Denise how scary to realize that they "chewie" was actually a needle     Thank goodness you got it away and no harm done.  I use a magnetic pin cushion ALL the time.  I only keep the needles on it that I am currently using so I can tell at a glance if I'm missing one.  (I'll only  use 3-4 at a time)  If I drop a needle, I can use the pin holder itself to run over the top of the carpet to find the needle.

Kat how horrible that your Bearded's treatment almost killed him!  I'm so sorry!!!  I'm glad he made it thru though.