Current Topics

●Backyard Toxins
●Poison Proof your Home
●Canine Influenza and Vaccine
●Online Prescriptions warning
 

Backyard Toxins

The following has been reproduced from a lecture by Sandra E. Morgan, DVM, MS, DABVT from the  Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

The average backyard contains many compounds and plants that are potentially toxic to pets. These things can be around for years without ever causing a problem and then the addition of a new pet or other factors may result in illness or death.

Acorns

Acorns are toxic to backyard pets, whether large or small.Many people do not realize that acorns are toxic. The toxic principle is unknown, but they do contain gallotannins, which are a combination of gallic acid and tannic acid.  Acorns, oak buds, leaves and drinking water that acorns and oak leaves have soaked in, have all caused symptoms of oak poisoning.  Symptoms may include bloody diarrhea, kidney failure and liver disease.

 MSMA (Herbicide)

Monosodium metharsenate (MSMA) is still commonly used as a herbicide. It will kill crabgrass and other weeds without killing desirable grasses. The toxic compound is arsenic. This compound will remain on the plant until a good rain-washes it into the dirt. Many people believe that since a few days or a couple of weeks have gone by, that it will be safe for their animals. The salty taste may attract a dog to it. Arsenic is a deadly gastrointestinal toxicant. Sudden death is often the only finding. Intense abdominal pains, combined with a bloody diarrhea, are clinical signs observed in animals that survive long enough for these to develop. Ataxia, salivation, weakness and trembling may be observed before the animal goes down. The prognosis is usually poor even with intense treatment.

Cocoa Bean Mulch

In general, animals don't bother mulch, but when it began to smell like chocolate, they became interested. Cocoa bean mulch has become a popular item in gardens. Dogs have been attracted to it and have ingested more than they need. The mulch typically consists of cocoa bean hulls, a by-product of the chocolate industry. Damaged cocoa beans, cocoa bean fines and other unnecessary plant parts are mixed in with the hulls and sold as mulch. The toxic principles in cocoa beans are caffeine and theobromine.  It is possible for a dog or a horse to ingest a toxic amount of theobromine and caffeine if there is an excessive amount of cocoa beans in the mulch. Clinical signs would consist of anorexia, diarrhea, violent excitement and death in horses. Dogs exhibit vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, tachycardia, ataxia, seizures, coma and death.

Swimming Pool Products

With the popularity and affordability of the above ground pools, the exposure of pets to the chemicals needed for them has increased in recent years. Some of the products commonly used are: chlorine tablets, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, chlorinated isocyanurates, lithium hypochlorite, sodium bicarbonate, hydrogen peroxide, and muriatic acid. Most of these are strong acids or bases and are highly corrosive. They are used to adjust the pH, sanitize and clean the pool. If possible, find out exactly what the pet ingested and get your pet to your veterinarian as soon as possible.  The chemicals are very damaging to the esophagus and stomach.  Inducing vomiting and stomach lavage should not be used in acid and alkali ingestions and activated charcoal administration is not beneficial.   

Flower beds and Vegetable gardens

Some pets never bother flowerbeds or vegetable gardens. Younger ones or new arrivals may ingest plants that many people were not aware of being harmful to pets. Accidental poisoning occurs most often when people are not aware that a plant might be toxic. The following is a list of plants toxic to pets and the organ system affected.

Flowerbeds

Vegetable garden

Many of these plants (*) must be ingested in large quantity or lower amounts for a long period of time to cause a problem. The cardiotoxic plants are the most dangerous. Single feedings can cause death.

These are just a few of the things commonly found in a yard that could be toxic to pets. Never assume that an animal will not eat or drink something.

References

1.  Beasley VR, Dorman DC, Fikes JD, et al. A Systems Affected Approach to Veterinary Toxicology. Reference notes for Toxicology VB 320, Department of Veterinary Medical Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Urbana, IL, 1997.

2.  Burrows GE, Tyrl RJ. Toxic Plants of North America: Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press, 2001.

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Poison Proof your


 Home

•    Never medicate your pets with human products without first speaking to your veterinarian.  Most human products (e.g. ibuprofen) are toxic to animals. 

•    Keep pets away from cleaning products.  Keep pets out of the room when using them.

•    Keep toilet lids closed to keep pets from drinking the water, especially if you use automatic chemical bowl or tank treatments

•    Keep home fragrance products, including potpourri, out of reach and do not spray heavily around birds or other caged animals. 

•    Keep rodenticides far away from a pet’s access.  Keep in mind that rodents can transfer the toxins to accessible locations.  Best not to use one’s that can be toxic to your pet because some do not have treatment antidotes. 

•    Do not use insecticides around your pet without knowing their toxicological profile.  Read labels and use only as recommended.  Do not use dog flea and tick products on cats.

•    Grub or snail killers can be extremely toxic even in small quantities.  Keep these products out of garden or garage if your pet could potentially come in contact with them.

•    Keep all automotive products, especially antifreeze (ethylene glycol) which can be extremely toxic, away from pets.  If you spill any antifreeze, windshield cleaner, or engine lubricants, clean up immediately and thoroughly by diluting with several gallons of water.

•    Keep garbage behind closed doors.  Trash and compost bins can contain many toxins to pets such as cigarette butts, coffee grounds, moldy dairy products, and chicken bones.

•    Don’t leave batteries of any type lying around.  If chewed on or ingested can lead to serious harm.

•    Keep alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and nicotine replacement products beyond reach.

•    Glues can be tasty, but can be toxic.  Keep home-improvement and craft projects behind closed doors to avoid accidental harm through curious investigation.

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Canine Influenza Vaccine

     St. Francis Animal Hospital is now offering the new Canine Influenza Vaccine (CIV).  Canine Influenza, also called the H3N8 Virus, is a potentially severe upper respiratory disease specific to dogs only.  It is spread through direct contact with infected dogs, via coughing and sneezing, and by contact with contaminated surfaces.  The symptoms may be hard to distinguish from Kennel Cough disease in it's milder form and dogs without any symptoms can carry the virus to other dogs.  The mortality rate for dogs with symptoms is reported to be 5-8 percent.  There have been confirmed cases throughout Colorado Springs, including the humane society, and certain boarding facilities are now requiring the vaccine for all boarding dogs. 
        The CIV, or Influenza vaccine helps by decreasing the severity of the symptoms, decreases the days that the virus is shed in the environment, and protects the dog against forming lung lesions. The vaccine is given initially as a series of two injections, 3-4 weeks apart, and then it is boosted annually.  The vaccine can be given in dogs older than six weeks. So far we have seen no adverse reactions in pets from the administration of this vaccine. If you have any questions regarding the vaccine or to see if you should consider this vaccine for your dog, please call us.  We also have informational brochures available.

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Online Prescriptions warning

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning for consumers who purchase veterinary products over the internet.   Although there are some reputable internet pharmacies, the FDA indicates there are also many companies that are fronts for unscrupulous businesses.  If you happen to unknowingly choose one of these illegal pharmacies, you could be purchasing products for your pets that are unapproved by the FDA.  Although some of these products may be cheaper, they also could be dangerous or ineffective and/or expired. 
The FDA regulates the distribution of veterinary drugs but the state boards of pharmacy regulate the dispensing of these products.  However, many of these internet pharmacies avoid regulation by operating in different states or foreign countries.  Online pharmacies cannot purchase items from the companies that manufacture them and must acquire them through other means.  The guarantee that accompanies these drugs from the manufacturer only applies if the drug was purchased through the pet’s veterinarian. 
There are also internet companies that indicate they have veterinarians on their staff who will sign a prescription for your pet.  This is illegal. If the pharmacy is doing this illegally, can you really trust them to sell you a safe and effective product?  By law, a veterinarian must personally examine your pet to legally prescribe any prescription drug.  The two most commonly prescribed drugs over the internet for dogs are pain medications for arthritis and heartworm preventives.  It is important for your pet’s health that blood testing be performed before starting your pet on these medications.  Also, dogs on arthritis medications should have their blood checked routinely for side effects.
To protect your pet from potentially harmful medications, the FDA recommends that you only deal with websites that:

•  Are licensed by the state board of pharmacy in the state where the website is operating (visit www.nabp.info for a list of state boards of pharmacy)

• Are recognized by the NABP with a Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites Seal, also known as a VIPPS seal available to answer your questions

• Require a prescription directly from your veterinarian to fill a prescription

• Provide reliable company contact information

Please visit the FDA website at www.fda.gov for more extensive information regarding the concern over online pharmacies.

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