Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen top the list of human medications most poisonous to pets.

“The Pet Poison Helpline (1-800-213-6680) offers tips for the prevention of pet poisoning caused by human medications.

Justine A. Lee, DVM, DACVECC, associate director of veterinary services at the helpline, said as far as animal poisonings go, “they are unfortunately very, very common.” The 24-hour helpline is available throughout North America for veterinary professionals and pet owners who need help treating a potentially poisoned pet.

Tens of thousands of phone calls are fielded on human prescription drugs, rat poisons and environmental/home toxins, Lee said. Nearly half the calls involve over-the-counter and prescription medications for humans.”

Below are the top 10 human medications most frequently ingested by pets.

1. NSAIDs (e.g. Advil, Aleve and Motrin) Common household medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) top the list. The names include ibuprofen (e.g., Advil and some types of Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).
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2. Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) Even though this drug is safe, this is not true for pets—especially cats. One regular strength tablet of acetaminophen may cause damage to a cat’s red blood cells.
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3. Antidepressants (e.g. Effexor, Cymbalta, Prozac, Lexapro) While occasionally used in pets, overdoses can lead to serious neurological problems such as sedation, incoordination, tremors and seizures. Pets, especially cats, seem to enjoy the taste of Effexor and often eat the entire pill. One pill can cause serious poisoning.
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4. ADD/ADHD medications (e.g. Concerta, Adderall, Ritalin) Minimal ingestions of these medications by pets can cause life-threatening tremors, seizures, elevated body temperatures and heart problems.
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5. Benzodiazepines and sleep aids (e.g. Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, Lunesta) About half of the dogs who ingest sleep aids become agitated instead of sedate. In addition, these drugs may cause severe lethargy, incoordination and slowed breathing in pets.
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6. Birth control (e.g. estrogen, estradiol, progesterone) Large ingestions of estrogen and estradiol can cause bone marrow suppression, particularly in birds. Additionally, female pets that are intact are at an increased risk of side effects from estrogen poisoning.
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7. ACE Inhibitors (e.g. Zestril, Altace) Pets ingesting small amounts of this medication can potentially be monitored at home, unless they have kidney failure or heart disease.
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8. Beta-blockers (e.g. Tenormin, Toprol, Coreg) Small ingestions of these drugs may cause serious poisoning in pets. Overdoses can cause life-threatening decreases in blood pressure and a slow heart rate.
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9. Thyroid hormones (e.g. Armour desiccated thyroid, Synthroid) Large acute overdoses in cats and dogs can cause muscle tremors, nervousness, panting, a rapid heart rate and aggression.
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10. Cholesterol lowering agents (e.g. Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor) Most “statin” ingestions only cause mild vomiting or diarrhea. Serious side effects from these drugs come with long-term use. <HOME>

You know us pets. We love “see food.” If we see food, or anything else small and enticing, we eat it, so whatever drops on your floor is fair game. Thanks for thinking of us when you have something potentially dangerous hanging around the house!

So, now that we’re starting a new year, let’s make good dog and cat health our number one resolution by saying goodbye to common pet poisons…because it’s not the big stuff that seems to get most pets in trouble, but the things that kind of fly under the radar.  To help make sure that you and your parents keep an eye out, here’s a list of the Top 10 Pet Poisons for 2010, according the ASPCA:

Human Medications

It goes without saying that swiping them off counter tops and nightstands is a no-no.  But, that’s not the only way we get them.  We sometimes gobble them up off the floor when they fall and can’t be found by our parents.  It’s amazing how our keen eyes can see them!  And, just like that–you have another pet in danger.  That’s why year after year, human medications have topped the ASPCA’s list of common hazards, with over 45,000 calls related to prescription and over-the-counter drugs.  Please, for pet’s sake, tell your parents to keep meds tucked away in hard-to-reach cabinets and pick them up off the floor when they fall.

Insecticides

Surprisingly, one of the most common incidents last year involved the misuse of flea and tick products.  Yep…the thing that’s supposed to help us can actually hurt us!  The problem arises when the wrong product is used to treat the wrong species.   So, parents, if you’re not sure what’s bugging us, talk to your veterinarian before applying any flea and tick formulas.

People Food

Although this stuff tastes good to people (and it might even taste good to some of us pets), it’s really not good for us at all.  Foods like grapes, raisins, avocado and products containing xylitol, like gum, can cause serious problems.  Accounting for more than 17,453 cases last year,  it’s obvious that people food is not pet food.  And what’s the biggest offender?  Chocolate!  It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures in pets.  Yikes!

Plants

Ah, plants…they’re everywhere.  While they are good to look at, they’re not good to eat.  Fascinating little foliage, like azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, kalanchoe and schefflera, is often found in homes and can be harmful to us. Lilies are especially toxic to cats, causing life-threatening kidney failure.  Best advice:  Be sure the plants are off the floor and out of reach.

Veterinary Medications

I know you’re saying, how did this make the list?!  But, the truth is that even though veterinary medications are intended for pets, they’re often misapplied or improperly dispensed.  Common culprits are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements.  As a pet, you really don’t have much say in the application of the medication, so remind your Mom and Dad to read the instructions and call the vet if there are any questions.  Your health depends on it.

Well, that’s the top 5.  Rodenticides, household cleaners, heavy metals (like lead found in paint chips and linoleum), garden products and chemical hazards round out the list.  To get the full info and how to prevent toxic exposures, visit the ASPCA website at http://www.aspca.org/news/national/01-15-10.html.

Just doing my part to keep pets safe!

-Mittens

Pets get diabetes?

Yes.  An estimated one in 200 cats and one in 500 dogs globally have been diagnosed with the disease.  Yet, many people don’t even realize that dogs and cats can get diabetes, which is a disease caused by a lack of insulin that affects the level of glucose, or sugar, in your blood.  Glucose comes from the food that you eat, and insulin is required to process glucose so that it can be absorbed in the body.  The problem comes when there is too much insulin, not enough or what is being produced isn’t absorbed and builds up in the body.  Ironically, it affects us the same way that it affects humans and can lead to cataract formation in dogs and hind leg weakness in cats.

What to watch for?

According to Dr. M. Margaret King, a longtime veterinarian in Edmond, OK, here are some initial symptoms of diabetes to be on the lookout for:

• Excessive thirst and urination
• Possible sudden weight loss
• Frequent urinary tract infections
• Lack of energy and listlessness
• Excessive hunger while losing weight
• Lethargy (less active/sleeps more)
• Cloudy eyes (dogs)
• Doesn’t groom (cats)
• Thinning, dry and dull hair

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please have your Mom or Dad take you in for a diabetes screening.  Your veterinarian will be able to determine whether you do or don’t have the disease and set a course of action.  While it’s true, insulin injections are likely the best way to restore and maintain proper insulin levels, there are also some other factors that play an important role in your health.

Prevention is the key!

Since being overweight is a leading cause of diabetes, diet, exercise and regular check-ups for early detection are helpful in staying healthy before problems occur and even after diagnosis. Your veterinarian can recommend a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that provides the extra energy need without the extra carbs that can turn into excess sugar.  Consistent timing and size of meals will also help a lot.  Here’s what you can do for a healthier you:

Eat fewer treats! I know that’s a hard one, but push back from the bowl buddy.

Eat healthier foods. All-natural products with plenty of protein and no fillers or byproducts are great for your digestive system.

Get out there and play! Even if you’re an indoor pet, there are plenty of toys for dogs and cats that encourage exercise, like this light beam cat toy.

Take your owner out for a walk around the block. A consistent exercise routine will work wonders for your waistline!

As always, your veterinarian is the best resource for information.  You may also contact the American Diabetes Assocation and visit petdiabetesmonth.com for more additional resources regarding Pet Diabetes Month.

No, it’s not about me, but it’s still cute, right? As a kitten, I can tell you playing with yarn is a ball, but sometimes cats arent’ smart enough to resist eating the yarn, or the string or the thread with the needle.

Swallowing a lot of wool, string or thread can be very dangerous for us.  It can cause a blockage of our intestinal tract, and if there’s a needle in there too, it can perforate and require surgery. So if you see yarn, string or thread hanging out of your cat’s mouth, check it out immediately.

Here’s How!

If your cat has swallowed thread, string, or yarn, use the following cat care tips from HowStuffWorks.com:

Step 1: Approach the cat carefully. If your cat is nervous or anxious, restrain the cat if necessary.

Step 2: If nothing is visible, proceed to Step 3. If thread, string, or yarn is hanging out of the cat’s mouth or rectum:

Step 2a: Pull on the material lightly. If you feel resistance, stop. Do not continue to pull the material.

Step 2b: Cut off the material as short as possible and proceed to Step 3.

Step 3: Give the cat one tablespoon of white petroleum jelly. Using a small amount each time, rub the jelly on the cat’s mouth and paws. The cat will lick it off. Do not give the cat mineral oil.

Step 4: If vomiting occurs or the cat stops eating, transport to the veterinarian immediately.

Be Ready to Pounce!

And speaking of pet emergencies, an online service called Pet Summary allows you to organize, access, and share your pet’s important information with anyone, anywhere, at any time for a small, one-time fee. Whether preparing a pet sitter, getting ready for a trip, or rushing to the emergency room, PetSummary.com makes it easy to have the right information at your fingertips. If you need to pull up your pet’s authentic vaccine record, it’s available from any online connection. Find them online at http://PetSummary.com.

That’s it for now. I’m going to see if Max wants to dig in the dirt around some potted plants. Always great fun!

Invisible Fence Brand owners Phillip and Kathie Vroman, in conjunction with the their parent company, say their passion is animals, and they are giving back to the communities across the country that have always been good to their business.  Mittens and I applaud them for finding such a wonderful way to give back.

The masks are intended to work with a variety of pets and can be used in smoke-inhalation cases, ice rescues and other times when pets need an air supply. The masks come in sets of three, each one a different size to accommodate most all pets. Human masks have been tried on pets before, and they just don’t work over a dog’s nose and mouth.

Firefighters, especially the ones who have pets of their own, are thrilled to have the equipment, and we’re thrilled for them! Four paws up for the Vromans!