04/02/2020
Careful – the kids (and spouses) are home!
As great as it is to have time with your family at home, this comes with risks.
Yes, the kids are HOME! This means the tidy home you have kept has some entropy – chaotic forces called kids and spouses who have all day to make a mess.
The biggest risk to your pets?
The little things that normally would not be in the reach of your pets.
Twice in the last week, we have had a dog present with symptoms of incoordination, confusion, and low heart rate. Despite my doctors, Dr. Kowaleski and Dr. Hutsebaut picking up that these symptoms were suspicious that the dog had ingested ma*****na or derivatives there-of, the owners were vehemently in denial of this exposure. The second patient transferred to our closest referral center late last night and this suspicion was confirmed based on a urine test confirming ma*****na exposure. This is certainly not the first time we have seen an accidental ingestion of an illicit substance, nor will it be the last.
But please, please, please– kids and parents alike – keep your pet safe. And if the unthinkable happens – an accidental exposure, come clean and tell the doctor or assistant of the exposure so we can accurately diagnose and treat your pet. In the long run, knowing the diagnosis will save you money and your family the anguish of thinking your pet has some strange aggressive neurological disorder. We will NOT report you to any authorities for an accidental exposure.
Puppies, Labradors and Golden Retrievers are the most likely to get into trouble, as they are very willing to chew into anything. But you can’t trust any age or breed of dog when tasty items are within reach.
And sadly, on rare occasion, we find a pet that was intentionally exposed to ma*****na. Some people will go as far as “Hot-boxing” a dog – where they intentionally puff ma*****na smoke into a dog’s face. It’s not funny to make a dog stoned.
What else do you have to watch out for?
1. Ma*****na and CBD oil derivatives.
2. Xylitol containing candy and gum – a sugarless sweetener that is safe for us but can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels and liver damage.
3. Ibuprofen – another item often found in the purses and backpacks left laying around the house when schooling is being done at home. Also Tylenol and cold medications – often have a sweet coating making them prime items for accidental ingestion.
4. Prescription medications – there are too many to list here. Keep them out of harms way.
5. Chocolate – most everyone knows chocolate is a problem and the darker, the more toxic.
6. Alcohol – of any kind can cause a dog to be drunk. The smaller the dog, the less it takes. Keep the drinks away from your pets. Even cats want to partake, especially if there is Kahlua and cream.
7. Grapes and raisins – oddly enough, can cause kidney failure in a dog. We don’t know the mechanism but any amount of these fruits can be toxic.
8. Rodenticides – products meant to kill mice, rats and other vermin – are made to be tasty so the little critters will eat them. Sadly, most of them are toxic to our pets and children as well. Some are neurotoxins, some interfere with blood clotting, and others cause calcium levels to rise to toxic levels. Don’t assume you hid them well enough that your pet can’t reach them – just don’t use them. Instead, use corn gluten based products like Mouse-X and Rat-X which are safe if your pet accidently gets into them.
What happens if you think your pet had a possible exposure to a toxin or other drug?
Call National Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435.
There is a fee so have your credit card ready. They are not funded like the human poison control agencies are. They need payment for support.
In the long run, they will save you money – by calculating the dose that is toxic, and handing your veterinarian a treatment plan, you and your pet will be winners, beating the odds they will lose to an unintended poisoning.
We ARE open from 7 am to 6 pm (weekends till 4) for urgent care and time sensitive needs. Please call 920-269-4000 or e mail us at [email protected]. Our website is www.smallanimalclinic.com.
