Our Scarsdale Veterinarians Discuss the Dangers of Pet Poisons

Look around your home. Do you have anything that’s potentially poisonous or toxic to your pets? Chances are you do, even if you don’t realize it. At Central Animal Hospital, our Scarsdale veterinarians and our team urge all local pet owners to be aware of household hazards in order to avoid potentially life-threatening situations for your animals.

Common Types of Toxins Ingested by Cats & Dogs 

Our emergency vet team treats dogs and cats who have accidentally ingested the following common poisonous or toxic substances:

• Plants: mistletoe, poinsettia, tulip, azalea, lily, oleander, amaryllis, and sago palm
• Foods: chocolate, grapes, raisins, garlic, chives, scallions, raw yeast dough, macadamia nuts, coffee grounds, and foods containing xylitol (a chemical sweetener)
• Household cleaners: shampoos, detergents, and bleach 
• Anti-freeze
• Pet and human medications
• Rat poison, pesticides, and insecticides

How to Tell If Your Cat or Dog Has Gotten Into a Poisonous Substance

Sometimes you may catch your cat or dog in the act of consuming something that is known to be toxic or poisonous, in which case you should call your local emergency vet team right away. In other cases, you may not see your pet eat a poisonous substance, but you may notice unusual signs or symptoms such as:

• Sudden and unexplained vomiting and diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Excessive and/or foamy drool
• Abnormal thirst (e.g., excessive or severely decreased)
• Sudden weakness, lameness, and lethargy

It’s better to be safe than sorry, so call with any suspicions or concerns. Accidental pet poisoning can quickly devolve into serious life-threatening conditions including organ failure, seizures, and coma. The earlier you bring your pet in for treatment the better its chances of making a full recovery.

Here are a few things our emergency vet team can provide for your cat or dog in the rare but unfortunate event of accidental poisoning:

• Diagnostic testing, including blood work, to determine the type of poisoning
• Medications, including emetics (this is not always indicated, so don’t try to make your pet vomit yourself unless instructed by a vet), IV fluids, and activated charcoal  
• Emergency surgery and follow-up care

It’s helpful to you and your pet to stay as calm as possible in such an emergency. Know that our Scarsdale vet team is here to help and answer any of your questions or concerns!

Has Your Pet Gotten Into Something They Shouldn’t Have? Contact Our Scarsdale Veterinarians Immediately!

Contact us now at 914-723-1250 to speak with an emergency vet in Scarsdale, NY if you believe your pet has consumed a poisonous substance. Time is of the essence, so don’t hesitate. 

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If your emergency occurs after our office hours, please contact The Veterinary Emergency Group.  They are located at 193 Tarrytown Road, White Plains, NY  10607 (across from the Greenburgh Police Dept.).  Their phone number is 914-949-8779.