Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2009

After my last posting about the deadly combination of ADHD medication and cats, I wondered what other items in my home might present a danger to our pets. Here is a list compiled by the ASPCA

Human Medications

For several years, human medications have been number one on the ASPCA’s list of common hazards, and 2009 was no exception. Last year, the ASPCA managed 45,816 calls involving prescription and over-the-counter drugs such as painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements. Pets often snatch pill vials from counters and nightstands or gobble up medications accidentally dropped on the floor, so it’s essential to keep meds tucked away in hard-to-reach cabinets.

Insecticides

In our effort to battle home invasions by unwelcome pests, we often unwittingly put our furry friends at risk. In 2009, our toxicologists fielded 29,020 calls related to insecticides. One of the most common incidents involved the misuse of flea and tick products—such as applying the wrong topical treatment to the wrong species. Thus, it’s always important to talk to your pet’s veterinarian before beginning any flea and tick control program.

People Food

People food like grapes, raisins, avocado and products containing xylitol, like gum, can seriously disable our furry friends, and accounted for more than 17,453 cases in 2009. One of the worst offenders—chocolate—contains large amounts of methylxanthines, which, if ingested in significant amounts, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures.

Plants

Common houseplants were the subject of 7,858 calls to APCC in 2009. Varieties such as azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoe and schefflera are often found in homes and can be harmful to pets. Lilies are especially toxic to cats, and can cause life-threatening kidney failure even in small amounts.

Veterinary Medications

Even though veterinary medications are intended for pets, they’re often misapplied or improperly dispensed by well-meaning pet parents. In 2009, the ASPCA managed 7,680 cases involving animal-related preparations such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements.

Rodenticides

Last year, the ASPCA received 6,639 calls about pets who had accidentally ingested rat and mouse poisons. Many baits used to attract rodents contain inactive ingredients that are attractive to pets as well. Depending on the type of rodenticide, ingestions can lead to potentially life-threatening problems for pets including bleeding, seizures or kidney damage. 

Household Cleaners

Everybody knows that household cleaning supplies can be toxic to adults and children, but few take precautions to protect their pets from common agents such as bleaches, detergents and disinfectants. Last year, the ASPCA received 4,143 calls related to household cleaners. These products, when inhaled by our furry friends, can cause serious gastrointestinal distress and irritation to the respiratory tract.

Heavy Metals

It’s not too much loud music that constitutes our next pet poison offender. Instead, it’s heavy metals such as lead, zinc and mercury, which accounted for 3,304 cases of pet poisonings in 2009. Lead is especially pernicious, and pets are exposed to it through many sources, including consumer products, paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust produced when surfaces in older homes are scraped or sanded.

Garden Products

It may keep your grass green, but certain types of fertilizer and garden products can cause problems for outdoor cats and dogs. Last year, the ASPCA fielded 2,329 calls related to fertilizer exposure, which can cause severe gastric upset and possibly gastrointestinal obstruction.

Chemical Hazards

In 2009, the ASPCA handled approximately 2,175 cases of pet exposure to chemical hazards. A category on the rise, chemical hazards—found in ethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners and pool/spa chemicals—form a substantial danger to pets. Substances in this group can cause gastrointestinal upset, depression, respiratory difficulties and chemical burns.



Prevention is really key to avoiding accidental exposure, but if you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

ADHD Medication and Your Cat

Ryan came home from 8th grade last week and said a classmate had been expelled for handing out his ADHD medication at school. Two classmates were suspended for taking the medication. Then I saw this article about cats and ADHD medication and it just seemed like fate that I share it. (the article, not the med... none of that at our house!)

If you were hoping to read this post for ways to calm down a hyper cat, I'm sorry to disappoint you.  It is a longer one, but well worth it if you have a cat and someone taking ADHD medication in your household. You will see that they aren't a good combination. 

You can read the entire article at ScienceNews

Cats attracted to ADHD drug, a feline poison 

But it's far from the only human medicine that imperils companion animals in the United States.

 

By Janet Raloff

Web edition : Thursday, March 11th, 2010

SALT LAKE CITY Since 2004, drugs designed for use by people have been the leading source of poisonings among companion animals, according to the national Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, Ill. And among cats, Adderall – a combination of mixed amphetamine salts used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – has quickly risen to become one of the most common and dangerous of these pharmaceutical threats.

Or so reported Aiyasami Salem Sreenivasan of the poison control center and his colleagues, this week, here at the Society of Toxicology annual meeting.

In the United States, Adderall is currently “the most widely prescribed medicine for ADHD in children, with almost 23 percent market share,” Salem Sreenivasan notes. This probably explains, he says, why the incidence of accidental consumption by pets has also been steadily rising.

But what really sets this drug apart as a veterinary risk is that unlike most human meds, Adderall apparently appeals to the finicky feline palate, explains Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, a board certified veterinary toxicologist who encountered the problem while working at the poison control center. She and Salem Sreenivasan described 152 cases of feline intoxication with the drug that had been called into the center between January 2002 and June 2009. Almost 80 percent of these involved Adderall XR, the drug’s extended release formulation.

That number may not sound that high, but Gwaltney-Brant points out that this is the tip of the proverbial iceberg because “we are won’t hear about all of the cases.”

Most poisonings cases that the ASPCA's center learns about involve dogs, Gwaltney-Brant says, because they’re fairly indiscriminate about what they’ll eat. Not cats. Out of curiosity, they might sample a pill or capsule – but seldom finish it, she says. As soon as they bite in and discover its bland or even objectionable flavor, they tend to walk away.

Except when it comes to Adderall XR. Cats not only bite in but readily finish every bit. This suggests, she says, that there’s something about it that cats find unusually enticing.

And that’s bad, because a single 20 milligram capsule could kill the average size cat.

Why would doctors provide amphetamines – uppers, in the vernacular – to help settle down hyperactive kids? It does sound a bit counterintuitive, Gwaltney-Brant acknowledges. But at low doses, at least in animals, these central-nervous-system stimulants can actually have a calming effect, she notes. Unfortunately, the amounts prescribed to people – even youngsters – do not constitute low doses for a 7- to 15-pound puss.

Owners may initially discover a cat’s intoxication by its distressed vocalizing. Then they may pick up on its anxiety, agitation, pacing, disorientation – even tremors. Cats can quickly become overheated and unusually disturbed by any type of sensory stimulation – sound, light, even physical touch. Vets will typically notice the poisoned pet’s excessively rapid heart rate and elevated blood pressure.

With quick, aggressive treatment, many cats recover, Salem Sreenivasan says. If an owner calls in the problem before symptoms develop (usually that means within 30 minutes), he or she will be instructed to induce vomiting to bring up the drug. “And then take the cat to the vet,” he says, because with the extended release formulation, controlled-release beads in each capsule could elicit a second wave of intoxication within several hours. In some cases, a vet will administer activated carbon to sop up and hold the drug until it’s excreted. And this treatment may need to be repeated if significant symptoms develop within the next 8 hours, he notes.

If a cat comes in with symptoms of amphetamine poisoning, the docs will have to begin a more aggressive treatment, starting with sedatives (to control agitation and possible seizures), a cooling bath, and possibly medication to block one of the three neurotransmitters (serotonin) whose activity is enhanced by Adderall.

Currently, Salem Sreenivasan points out, the poison control center has data on how only 19 of the 152 cases fared. Three cats were treated before they developed any symptoms. Fifteen more symptomatic cats were treated and recovered. One died.

Why report this at SOT? “There’s almost no information about amphetamines in cats out there in the [scientific] literature,” Gwaltney-Brant says. Reporting the data in this venue also highlights the role of the poison control center, she says. “We have 30 years worth of [toxicology] data available,” but no time to write most of it up. Presenting a glimpse of what the center has learned about this drug could advertise what other information might be mined by toxicologists interested in companion-animal poisonings.


Right now, Adderall is probably one of the top three human drugs that the poison control center gets calls about for cats, Gwaltney-Brant says. But add in the crisis queries for dogs – about 80 percent of those overall – and the picture changes. For them, she says, “Ibuprofen is the number one call we get, because that’s what dogs get into most.”

It can cause kidney failure and ulcers in the digestive tract. “And unlike Adderall, where cats will develop symptoms within hours, ibuprofen’s damage can take two to three days before it becomes clinically apparent,” she notes. “So if we wait for symptoms, some pretty bad stuff may already have occurred.”

So how much would it take to kill a dog or cat? “For anything under 10 pounds, perhaps as little as a single 200 milligram pill,” she says. Of course, she adds, unlike cats, dogs seldom stop at a single pill. If they get access to a bottle with a 100 or more, she says, dogs will eat them all.

Naproxen, another pain reliever, is even more toxic to dogs and cats, she says. “So just one tablet in a smallish dog could be potentially life threatening.”

Anyone can get help diagnosing a potential poisoning threat from the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Most consultations – and it provides an average of 140,000 each year – will come with a $65 fee.

Thought we lost the cat tonight

Not lost, like in the Rainbow Bridge forever kind of lost. But lost in the sense that he didn't come to the door when we came home, couldn't find him anywhere, and calling his name didn't produce any results. (small disclaimer...not really sure he knows his name yet).

This was the first time since having Harley that we just didn't know where he was. Since it was also the first nice Spring day with windows and doors open, I could just envision him slipping out. I mean, if he doesn't know his own  name yet, how could I have any faith at all that he would know his way home?

Crisis averted. Apparently Harley and Xena must have had a day of rough play, and finally Harley had enough. He finally came out of his hiding spot (inside the couch). Whew. This whole cat ownership thing is new. They aren't really like dogs now, are they?

And, for anyone reading this that is concerned that Xena was being hard on Harley...they are even. Harley just got a hold of something of Xena's (I'm thinking right front leg). I heard a loud yelp from Xena and she took a couple of tentative steps towards me while keeping an eye on the cat. So...I think the score is pretty even right now. I'll let you know if that changes..

Games Pets Play

What games do your pets play "with" you?  Or....what do they do to torture you on purpose?

Came downstairs this morning to find a small lake (ok...it was a puddle) near the dog food bowl.. Water dish was overturned.  Cleaned it up and didn't think more about it.

Drove Ryan to school. Came home to find a small lake (ok...it was a puddle) near the dog food bowl. Water dies was overturned. Now there are teeny tiny paw prints leading away from it.  Cleaned it up, but definitely gave it some thought.

Asked Roy to check the water dish when he got home for lunch. (ok, small side note. In addition to the fact that I didn't want standing water on the laminate floors, due to the nature of the medication Xena takes for her Addison's Disease, she needs free access to water).  Roy found the water dish overturned.

Harley wasn't quite sneaky enough this time, as Roy witnessed him slapping the bowl with his paw, stepping in the water, shaking his paw, and walking away.  Same water dish, same puddle when I got home from work.

So...is Harley trying to tell us something? He has never messed with the dish before, and actually hasn't liked the few times I have seen him get wet. Is he just messing with us?

If this continues, I'm going to have to invest in a cat fountain. I think the base is big enough to keep it from tipping. OR...it will allow an entire liter of water to hit the floor. That remains to be seen.

What games do your pets play "with" you?  Or....what do they do to torture you on purpose?  Would love to read your comments!

Nature's Variety expands Recall

Important Food Safety Update

Nature's Variety News - March 8, 2010

Dear Friends,



Today Nature’s Variety is announcing that out of an abundance of caution, we are voluntarily recalling all Chicken Formula and Organic Chicken Formula products with a “Best If Used By” date on or before 2/5/11.



Nature’s Variety has received new test results from an outside facility that indicate that Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet with the "Best If Used By" date of 10/29/10 and Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet with the "Best If Used By" date of 11/9/10 may be contaminated with Salmonella. Therefore, we are voluntarily recalling these date codes of product from the marketplace. Also, out of an abundance of caution, we are expanding our voluntary recall to include all Chicken Formula and Organic Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for dogs and cats with any "Best If Used By" date on or before 2/5/11. We believe taking this action is an important and responsible step in order to reinforce your confidence and trust.



No other Raw Frozen Diets are involved in this expansion other than chicken, and no other Nature’s Variety products are involved.



The products included in this expanded recall are any Chicken Formula or Organic Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet with a "Best If Used By" date on or before 2/5/11, including:



UPC#7 69949 60130 2 – Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions

UPC#7 69949 60120 3 – Chicken Formula 6 lb patties

UPC#7 69949 60121 0 – Chicken Formula 2 lb single chubs

UPC#7 69949 50121 3 – Chicken Formula 12 lb retail display case of chubs

UPC#7 69949 60137 1 – Organic Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions

UPC#7 69949 60127 2 – Organic Chicken Formula 6 lb patties

The "Best If Used By" date is located on the back of the package above the safe handling instructions.



If you have purchased one of the affected products, please return the unopened product to your local retail store to receive a complete refund, or to exchange it for another variety. If your package has been opened, please dispose of the raw food in a safe manner by securing it in a covered trash receptacle. Then, bring your receipt (or the empty package in a sealed bag) to your local retailer for a complete refund or replacement.



As you may know, Nature’s Variety now uses High Pressure Pasteurization on our Raw Frozen Diets as a unique process to kill pathogenic bacteria through high-pressure, water-based technology. Having incorporated this state-of-the-art technology on our Freeze Dried Raw products in late 2009, we were able to confidently implement the process universally on all Raw Frozen Diets after the February 11, 2010 recall in order to further enhance food safety. Nature’s Variety also utilizes a test and hold protocol to ensure that all High Pressure Pasteurized Raw Frozen Diets test negative for harmful bacteria before being released for sale.



We believe replacing all raw frozen chicken products on the market with new raw frozen chicken products that use High Pressure Pasteurization is an important and responsible step in order to reinforce your confidence and trust. By recalling all raw frozen chicken products with "Best If Used By" dates on or before 2/5/11, we can provide our pet parents with new raw frozen chicken products that have been processed through High Pressure Pasteurization. Adopting High Pressure Pasteurization is an important step to ensure that our products meet the strictest quality and food safety standards."



Our commitment to you and your pets in the future is the same as it’s been in the past – to offer Raw Frozen Diets made from the highest quality ingredients, made in our own plant in the Midwest, by people who care deeply about pet nutrition, health, and happiness.



For more inforamtion about the expanded recall, please read our FAQ document.



We also offer the following resources if you're interested in learning more about High Pressure Pasteurization and our Food Safety Protocols:



High Pressure Pasteurization Q&A document

Quality & Food Safety protocols explained under "Learn About Raw" in the Learning Center

High Pressure Pasteurization in the "Safety & Quality" section of our online FAQs

If you have additional questions, please call our dedicated Customer Care line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-374-3142. For additional information about High Pressure Pasteurization or other Nature’s Variety food safety protocols, please read the Q&A below or visit www.naturesvariety.com.



Thank you for your loyalty and trust.



Warmly,



Reed Howlett

CEO, Nature's Variety