Ten Common Household Toxins to Dogs and Cats

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Dana Dietrich, DVM
Emergency/Critical Care Department
Garden State Veterinary Specialists

This article discusses ten common toxins that are commonly encountered by veterinarians, and that can be found in almost any household. If you have any questions about these or other toxins, please contact your primary veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435 (there is a charge for their services).
 
1.  Chocolate – This is probably the most common household toxin.  Most people know that chocolate is harmful to dogs, but it is also harmful to cats.  The toxic components in chocolate are theobromine and caffeine.  The amount an animal can ingest safely depends on the animal's weight and the type of chocolate ingested.  Dark chocolate and bakers chocolate contain more theobromine and therefore are more toxic. It takes significantly less amounts of dark and bakers chocolate to be fatal to domestic animals. Contact your veterinarian if your animal ingests chocolate.  Tell your veterinarian the animal's weight, the type of chocolate ingested, and the amount ingested (even if it's an approximation).  Not all animals that eat chocolate require treatment.  Common clinical signs of an animal that has not eaten a toxic amount include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, and/or anxiousness.  If a toxic amount is ingested these signs can progress to tremors, seizures, coma, and death. 
 
2.  Gum - Many gums are sweetened with an artificial sweetener called Xylitol which can be lethal if ingested by animals.  Xylitol causes low blood sugar levels and can lead to liver failure. Clinical signs can be seen as quickly as 30 minutes after ingestion or as long as 12 hours. There are many brands of gum that contain Xylitol including Orbitz and Trident White. Look at the nutritional information to see if your gum contains Xylitol. If it does, make sure to keep it out of reach from your pets. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet ingests these gums.  Clinical signs include weakness, lethargy, collapse, seizures, and death. 
 
3.  Rat or Mouse Poison - This toxin doesn't just effect rodents.  The most common type of rat poison is Coumadin based, and includes poisons such as D-Con, Rodex, Drat, and several others.  These poisons disturb the clotting cascade which leads to hemorrhaging.  If you know your pet has ingested rat poison, have them evaluated by a veterinarian immediately.  Even though it can take up to 48 hours before we see clinical signs, immediate decontamination and antidotal treatment can be started before signs develop.  Clinical signs include bleeding from the gums, nose, bloody urine, lethargy, pale gums, weakness, labored breathing, coughing, and death.  The other common type of rat poison contains a toxin called Bromethalin that affects the central nervous system.  There is no antidotal treatment for this toxin, only stomach decontamination and supportive care.  Clinical signs include trouble walking, disorientation, trembling, seizures, coma, and death.  It is always a good idea to bring the package of poison to your veterinarian so they will know the appropriate treatment protocol and length of treatment. 
 
4.  Onions and Garlic (raw, cooked, or powder) - More problems are seen with onions than garlic, and cats seem to be more sensitive than dogs to the toxic effects.  Onions and garlic can cause the red blood cells to become fragile.  Fragile red blood cells are easily destroyed leading to anemia, which can be life threatening if goes untreated. Onions can be toxic if a large amount is ingested at once or if chronically fed to animals.  Common sources of onions include food prepared with onions such as gravy added to your pet's food and human baby food.  Clinical signs include pale gums, weakness, lethargy, collapse, and/or labored breathing. 
 
5.  Apricot and Peach Pits - These seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides.  If they are chewed cyanide is absorbed from the stomach causing weakness, labored breathing, collapse, and death.  Clinical signs can be seen as quickly as thirty minutes after ingestion, and death can occur minutes after clinical signs are seen.  If these seeds are ingested in their entirety, they can cause intestinal blockages which could require surgery to remove. 
 
6.  Grapes and Raisins - The toxic component has not yet been identified, and the dose is variable.  Ingestion can lead to kidney failure.  Signs of kidney failure include increased thirst, increased urination, lethargy, decreased appetite, and vomiting. 
 
7.  Tylenol, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) - Over the counter anti-inflammatories used for aches and pains in humans can be deadly if given to our domestic friends.  These can cause liver failure, kidney failure, and gastric ulceration.  Clinical signs can include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, lethargy, bloody stool, and tar-like stool.  No human medication should ever be intentionally given to an animal without first consulting with a veterinarian. 
 
8.  Antifreeze – This is a serious, life threatening and common toxin. The toxic component of antifreeze is ethylene glycol.  Ethylene glycol can also be found in some windshield washer fluids.  Antifreeze has a sweet odor and flavor so it is often readily ingested by animals. Antifreeze can cause acute kidney failure within hours of ingestion. Signs of ingestion include walking as if drunk (usually seen within 1 hour of ingestion), vomiting, abdominal pain, depression, decreased body temperature, coma, and death. Animals that exhibit clinical signs have a poor prognosis due to progression and the development of kidney failure. Treatment is expensive and extensive. Immediate veterinary assistance is recommended for antifreeze ingestion.

9. Pennies – Pennies minted after 1983 contain a significant amount of zinc. Zinc toxicity causes destruction of red blood cells and can lead to a life-threatening anemia. Signs of anemia from zinc toxicity include weakness, lethargy, decreased appetite, pale gums, labored breathing, collapse, icterus (yellow color to eyes, gums, and/or skin), and blood-tinged urine.

10. Batteries – If the casing of the battery is punctured, the battery acid can cause significant burns and erosions to the mouth and esophagus. If the casing is not punctured when it is swallowed, it can cause an intestinal blockage depending on the size of the battery and the size of the animal. In addition to obstruction, batteries may contain several different heavy metals which may be toxic.

You can find more information about these and other toxic substances on the ASPCA’s website, www.aspca.org.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the professional advice of your veterinarian.

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