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Spring Cautions
Before you plant your gardens this spring, remember that some of the plants and materials used in your gardens can make our pets sick. Many ornamental plants seen commonly in our gardens can be poisonous. Here is a list of some of the most common.
Poisonous Plants
- Azalea
- Bittersweet
- Caladium
- Clematis
- Crocus
- Day Lily
- Death Camas
- Easter Lily
- Ferns
- Foxglove
- Hyacinth
- Iris
- Lily of the Valley
- Morning Glory
- Oleander
- Rhododendron
- Tiger Lily
- Tulip
Fertilizers and Weed Killers
These may cause vomiting, diarrhea, rigid or weak muscles, kidney and liver damage, seizures, and death. Choose pet-safe options for fertilizers and weed killers. Read the labels and if you are not sure, don’t use it.
Insecticides
Very commonly used, insecticides can cause severe problems in our pets if ingested. Here is a list of some of the most common insecticides.
- Amitraz
- Carbamate
- Metaldehyde
- Strychnine
Flea Control Products
Many over-the-counter flea treatments contain the toxins pyrethrin and permethrin. Please, only use flea control products under the direction of your veterinarian. Signs of toxicity include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, coma, and death.
Rodenticides
Dogs find the sweet, crunchy pellets quite tasty. If you use rat or mouse bait, don’t throw away the package! There are two different types of action and the poison control center or the veterinarian will need to know what was used if your pet gets in to it.
Snail Bait
Poisons commonly used to kill snails are very effective at killing our pets too. There are pet-safe snail baits so shop wisely. (Look for a brand called Sluggo. This is the only pet-safe brand we are aware of. We are not necessarily recommending this brand. There are probably other pet-safe products.)
More Poison Information
 In 2008, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic substances, many of which included everyday household products. Here are the top ten.
1) Human Medications – 50,000 cases
Sometimes the pet gets the medications on their own and sometimes these medications are given intentionally. Please don’t use any medication for your pet that has not been directed by your veterinarian.
2) Insecticides – 31,000 cases
Know what you are using and where you are storing it.
3) People Food – 15,000 cases
Grapes, raisins, avocadoes, chocolate, to name just a few. View the list from ASPCA.
4) Rodenticides – 8,000 cases
Baits used to kill rats and mice are attractive to pets as well. Be very careful where you place them.
5) Veterinary Medications– 8,000 cases
Misapplied or improperly used medications will cause serious problems in our pets.
6) Plants – 8,000 cases
Common houseplants can be harmful to pets.
7) Chemical Hazards – 5,500 cases
Common products such as ethylene glycol (antifreeze), paint thinner, drain cleaners, and pool/spa chemicals have all been implicated in animal poisonings.
8) Household Cleaners– 3,200 cases
Bleaches, detergents, and disinfectants, when inhaled, can cause serious gastrointestinal distress and irritation to the respiratory tract.
9) Heavy Metals – 3,000 cases
Lead, zinc, and mercury were the leading offenders. Pets are exposed to it through many sources, including consumer products, paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust from sanding old paint.
10) Fertilizer– 2,000 cases
Prevention is the safest way. Either don’t use it at all or keep your pets out of the treated area.
If you think your pet has ingested anything poisonous, call the Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at 888-426-4435.
This is Veterinary Pet Insurance’s 2007 list of the top 10 toxicity claims. Not suprisingly, it is very similar to the Poison Control Center’s list. 
- Drug Reactions (human and veterinary drugs)
- Rodenticide
- Methylxanthine (class of chemical compounds that includes the poisonous component of chocolate)
- Plant Poisoning
- Household Chemicals
- Metaldyhyde (snail bait)
- Organophosphate (insecticides)
- Toad Poisoning – (most common in the Gulf Coast area)
- Heavy Metals
- Antifreeze
Check out the Pet Health Zone, a part of the Veterinary Pet Insurance website, for more information.
Peanut products recall
 Undoubtedly, you have heard about the peanut product recall. The products are contaminated with Salmonella, a group of bacteria that can cause diarrheal illness. These microscopic living creatures are passed in the feces of humans or animals to other humans or animals. Infections usually resolve on their own in five to seven days although some patients require hospitalization for rehydration. Occasionally a patient dies from infection with Salmonella.
Salmonella poisoning in pets occurs simply when a dog or cat eats something contaminated with the bacteria. The FDA’s list of pet (and wild bird) products contaminated with Salmonella is presented here in hopes that you will check you pet’s food and treat supply and throw out anything that might be contaminated by Salmonella. While you’re on their website, be sure to check out all the other products listed there and clean out your human pantry too. Please note, the FDA list is updated daily as new contaminated products are discovered. Our list here was current only at the time this newsletter was posted.
Aggieville USA
American Health Kennels, Inc.
American Nutrition, Inc
Carolina Prime
Carolina Prime Pet
Farm Style
Grreat Choice
Happy Tails
Healthy Hide
Healthy-hide Deli Wrap
Hill Country Fare
Integrity
Mill Creek
Morning Melodies
Morning Song
Next Gen Pet Products
Northwest Royal
Premium
Royal Wing
Salix
Shoppers Valu
Springfield Prize
Vita Bone Flavors
Vita Snacks
Western Family Biscuits
Western Trade Group, Inc.
Yeaster
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