ASPCA Lists Top Ten Pet Poisons of 2009

The ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center handles thousands of calls every year from pet owners concerned that their animal has ingested something harmful. In 2009, they received more than 140,000 calls about pets exposed to toxic substances, and they took the liberty of compiling a list of the most common. I've listed them—with examples—below.

Azaleas may look pretty, but they can be poisonous to dogs.

1. Human Medications (e.g. painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants, and dietary supplements)
2. Insecticides (those used around the home as well as misused flea and tick products)
3. People Food (grapes/raisins, avocado, chocolate, and things containing xylitol, like gum)
4. Plants (azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoe, and schefflera, to name a few)
5. Veterinary Medications
6. Rodenticides (rat and mouse poisons)
7. Household Cleaners (bleaches, detergents, and disinfectants)
8. Heavy Metals (lead, zinc, and mercury in the form of paint chips, linoleum, lead dust, etc.)
9. Garden Products (fertilizer)
10. Chemical Hazards (antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners, and pool/spa cleaners)

To read the ASPCA's entire list, including details, click here. And of course, it may be a good idea to keep the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center number on hand somewhere that's easily accessible: 888-426-4435. I've called them before and they were extraordinarily helpful.

Comments

[Pet Poison Helpline]

Thanks for spreading the word on pet toxicities on your blog - so important for pet owners to be aware of the lurking kitchen/household poisons in (and outside of) their house! As an ER specialist, I see so many toxicities that owners bring in too late (making it more expensive to treat, with a worse prognosis!). When in doubt, it's so important to call a Poison Control for peace of mind!

I wanted to make you aware of another important resource out there also - Pet Poison Helpline is an additional Animal Poison Control Center, and it's one of the most cost-effective animal poison ($35/case vs. ASPCA's new $60/case) controls out there nowadays. Unfortunately, because animal poison controls are not federal- or state-funded, there is a fee to allow the service to be run 24-7. We provide a similar service, but have the added benefit of veterinary specialists (in internal medicine and emergency and critical care) as part of our staff. You can always call 1-800-213-6680 if you ever have a problem. Thanks for spreading the word!

Dr. Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC
Associate Director of Veterinary Services
www.petpoisonhelpline.com
www.drjustinelee.com