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In
The News last month highlighted the top household poisons for pets (to
access this and other archived articles, click on “more” at the bottom
of the “In the News” column). However, just pet-proofing your home may
not be enough to protect your companions from poisonings, either
accidental or deliberate. Recent bans on the use of lawn and garden
pesticides and herbicides in many communities may cut down on
accidental exposure of our pets to environmental toxins. Unfortunately,
some home owners deliberately ignore the pesticide bans, or set out
other poisons on their private property to eliminate “vermin or other
pests”, such as slug or ant baits, rodenticides, or poison-laced foods
intended to eliminate raccoons, squirrels, or other wildlife.
Sporadically, poisonous substances will be maliciously placed in
accessible areas on public property such as parks, with the intent to
cause harm. Recently, a rash of poisonings in a large urban park in
Toronto was found to be caused by deliberate contamination of bread
with antifreeze. The intent was apparently to eliminate a problem with
raccoons and/or squirrels, but unfortunately several dogs also ingested
the toxic bread and died as a result.
The best prevention
against accidental environmental poisoning of your dog or cat is to
prevent them from roaming at large. For cats, this is readily
accomplished by keeping your cat indoors, or only allowing it outdoors
on your own property under your direct supervision. For dogs, it can be
slightly more problematic, since they require regular exercise and
access to the outdoors for elimination. Obviously, keeping your dog on
a leash during walks is very helpful, but even when on a leash your dog
can still sniff out and eat material that is lying on the ground. And,
if allow your dog to run in a leash free park or other public area, you
will have less control over what he or she can find and consume. By
training your dog to “drop” on command, you may be able to reduce the
risk of accidental exposure, as long as you stay vigilant and always
keep your pet in sight. Contact us at the veterinary clinic for
directional handouts on dog training or for recommended sources for
further information.
If you do believe that your pet has
inadvertently eaten something harmful, DO NOT DELAY. Time is often of
the essence in preventing severe illness from poisonings, and even a
delay of an hour can mean the difference between life and death.
