A Veterinarians Life

[MystedMoon]

  With Spring just around the corner, many of us will start our flower gardens & veggie gardens after the danger of frost has cleared.
With those dangers come other dangers. Dangers to your beloved pets that involve both indoor & outdoor plants, flowers, trees & foilage.
I have listed plants & such that are a danger to both dogs & cats. Sadly, most of these, there is no cure for and once an animal has ingested certain foilages, Euthanasia is the only humanely option. I have had the sad task of doing this a few times and it is very heart wrenching. Especially for the owners.
So please, for the sake of your beloved 4-legged friend, read this! 


  Poisons and Hazards to Cats
POISONOUS HOUSEPLANTS & DANGERS IN YOUR GARDEN


You want to think that your garden is a natural, safe and secure place for your cats to enjoy, but unfortunately this is not always the case. The most obvious dangers in the garden are poisonous plants but because the cat's metabolism is different from humans, plants that are poisonous to people are not always poisonous to cats and vice versa.


  Houseplants

Cats often nibble on plants and many houseplants are poisonous to cats. If your cat vomits or doesn't want to eat, check the Philodendron for nibble marks. Poinsettias and mistletoe are especially toxic, but not eaten frequently. Dieffenbachia (dumb cane) is toxic, but because it causes an immediate burning sensation, cats rarely eat enough to do themselves any real harm.

Caution should be taken in fenced areas. Extra care should be taken with kittens who, like all small creatures, are inquisitive and playfully have a nibble at anything. Also, because of their smaller body weight they are more susceptible to poisons. Similar care should be taken inside the house.



  List of Poisonous Plants
This list of plants is far from exhaustive. Even if you uproot all possible harmful plants in your house or garden, your cat might still wander into a neighbour's garden and find poisonous plants growing there. Some plants smell and taste repulsive to cats and most cats retain many of their wild instincts, and therefore know which plants are edible. However, when a cat leads a more enclosed life and does not have the choice of plants to eat, it is less likely to differentiate between good and bad ones.


Poisonous Plants Common Name           Botanical Name                  What Part of Plant
Bird of Paradise                                   Strelizia regirae                      Fruit, seeds 
Boston Ivy                                  Parthenocissus quinquefolia                 All parts 
Caladium                                               Caladium                                All parts 
Creeping Charlie                              Glecoma hederacea                        All parts 
Dumbcane                                          Dieffenbachia                             All parts 
Emerald Duke                               Philodendron hastatum                     All parts 
Glacier Ivy                                         Hedera glacier                        Leaves, berries 
Heartleaf                                       Philadendron cordatum                     All parts 
English Ivy                                          Hedera helix                          Leaves, berries 
Marble Queen                                  Scindapsus aureus                          All parts 
Majesty                                        Philodendron hastatum                      All parts 
Nephthytis, Arrowhead Vine         Synogonium podophyllum albolineatum  All parts 
Parlor Ivy                                      Philodendron cordatum                       All parts 
Pothos                                            Scindapsus aureus                           All parts 
Red Princess                                  Philodendron hastatum                      All parts 
Saddleleaf                                     Philodendron selloum                         All parts 
Split leaf                                    Philodendron  Monstera deliciosa             All parts 
Umbrella Plant                                 Cyperus alternifolius                         All parts 
Poinsettia                                                                                        Leaves and stems
Balsam, Pine                                         Cedar Fir                                      All parts
Holly                                                                                               Berries and leaves
Mistletoe                                                                                                 All parts
Ivies                                               Hedera spp                                       All parts
Cherry Laurel                               Prunus Laurocerasus                              All parts
Rhododendron                                                                                         All parts
Azaleas, all                                                                                              All parts
Euphorbias, all                                                                                         All parts
Oleander                                                                                                  All parts
False Jerusalem                      Cherry Solanum Capiscastrum                      All parts
Elephant Ears                                  Caladium spp                                     All parts
Parlour Palms                                                                                           All parts




It is best to keep all houseplants out of reach of your cats or in a room they do not have access to, until you are sure they will not be tempted. Try to keep a pot of "kitty grass" available for cats that don't go outside; you can buy kits and seeds in pet shops.


 

 

 
There are many other poisons and hazards to cats besides plants in the home and garden. Here are a few you should know about.



  Medicines


Many medications we use for ourselves with little thought are poisonous to cats. Never give any drug you aren't sure about. Even small doses of aspirin can be harmful to cats. Tylenol and many other pain killers are extremely toxic.


  Automotive Products


Any liquid that comes out of a car is poisonous to cats. If you leave brake fluid, oil, gasoline etc. on the garage floor, cats will step in it, clean themselves, and get sick. Antifreeze tastes sweet and because cats like the flavor they frequently drink enough to cause fatal poisoning. Antifreeze deserves special mention because even a very small amount can be rapidly fatal to pets.


  Household Products


Cats are sensitive to many cleaning products. When you mop the floor or clean in the bathroom, let surfaces dry before letting your cat back into the room. Use only soap and water to wash out the litter box, and rinse well. Do not expose cats to PineSol, Hexol or cleaners that contain ingredients with "phenol" in their chemical names. There are safe alternatives to these products. Although PineSol is not hazardous when you completely rinse and dry the item or area, it is best to not expose your cat.


  Insecticides


Most insecticide problems come from over-treatment with flea control products. This can easily be avoided by using one of the newer flea products available from veterinarians, but if your cat becomes suddenly ill after you spray, dust or apply drops for fleas, gently wash her with shampoo and warm water. Flea Control over-use problems rarely need any treatment other than bathing, but if you see more pronounced symptoms like heavy salivation or jerking movements, immediate attention is required.


  Garden Chemicals


Another danger to cats are garden chemicals like slug pellets and creosote, which are particularly harmful to cats and all wildlife. Always read instructions on packets and try to use chemicals that state they are non-toxic to pets, or better still garden organically! Many chemical fertilizers are tasty to cats, but can cause poisoning.


  Rat Poison


Even cats who are picky about their food may eat rat poison, just for a change. We don't have good antidotes for some of the newer rodenticides, and the only way to prevent poisoning is to put rat bait where pets can't reach it.


  Rattlesnake Bites


Although cats become quite ill and need veterinary attention, adult cats nearly always survive a rattlesnake bite. Cats can actually help reduce the rattlesnake problems around your home by lowering the rodent population.


  Spider Bites, Bee Stings Etc.


Cats ordinarily react to stings with mild discomfort and a little swelling, but much more severe and even life threatening reactions sometimes happen. If you notice breathing difficulty, seek immediate veterinary attention.


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  Most of the fatal cat poisonings are caused by antifreeze or Tylenol.


It goes without saying that if one of your cats shows signs of poisoning take it to the vet immediately. If you know the possible cause, take the chemical packaging or some of the plant with you. Try to make your home and garden a safe haven for all its four legged and two winged inhabitants and visitors.


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  Home Veterinary Supplies
Here are some items you should keep around in case you need them.



Unflavored pedialyte for kids. You can get it in the children's aisle of the supermarket. This will help with dehydration. Like other electrolyte preparations, if it tastes good, you need it.


Imodium liquid. You will have to go the local full-service pharmacy for this item. You want the unflavored variety. This will help with diarrhea when other things don't work. Check with your vet for dosing.


A syringe without a needle. You can find this in some cooking stores, but the one you need is marked with cc or mL and can be found at the pet supply store or pharmacy. This item is for dosing your pet with liquid medicines and water. I suggest no more than 50mL, since anything larger coming at a sick cat tends to scare and upset them.


Hydrogen Peroxide, 3%, for cleaning wounds and stopping bleeding. It's great to have around.


Triple-antibiotic ointment. I suggest keeping some on hand for cuts and scratches.


Ivermectin 1% solution. I've found this in huge bottles. It's great to clean out the ears - and don't get it in the eyes. 1 drop in each ear every month. Try the local feed store, and I'll give links as I find them. It's made for cows, horses and other livestock. We are using the smallest possible amount for our cats.


Cider vinegar. It cuts fungus infections.


White vinegar. Clean urine spills. Don't use bleach.


Sterile bandages - strip bandages and pads. This is cheesecloth like material that is sterile for covering wounds. You also want cotton *bleep* and cotton tipped swabs.


The beeswax impregnated tape that sticks to itself. It is sometimes called athletic tape. Don't use the tape with adhesive on it because it pulls fur off. This will stick to the fur too, but not be as prone to pull it out.


You will need an eyedropper. These are widely available at pharmacies.


DMSO - this is sometimes found in model and hobby stores. It is a solvent. Used on the outside of the body, it relieves pain. Do not give your cat this product to drink! Do NOT give your cat aspirin or tylenol!

[MystedMoon]

Plants Poisonous to Dogs



Listed below is the ASPCAź Animal Poison Control Center's information on some common garden and household plants that can be poisonous to your pet. This may not represent a complete list of all poisonous plants. Also, your pet may have a sensitivity or allergy to a plant that is not on the list, resulting in toxicity. Always contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your pet may have ingested a poisonous plant. 
Special Notice: Several recent reports of dogs having kidney failure after ingesting large amount of grapes or raisins has the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center investigating to determine the causative agents or disease processes.
 
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Alphabetical listing of poisonous plants by common name
 
Poisonous Plants by Category

  -Bulbs: Amaryllis, Autumn Crocus, Daffodil, Day Lily, Elephant Ears, Gladiolas, Hyacinth, Iris, Lily of the Valley, Narcissus, Orange Day Lily, Tulip

  -Ferns: Aparagus Fern, Australian Nut, Emerald Feather (aka Emerald Fern), Emerald Fern (aka Emerald Feather), Lace Fern, Plumosa Fern

  -Flowering Plants: Cyclamen, Hydrangea, Kalanchoe, Poinsettia

  -Perennials: Charming Diffenbachia, Christmas Rose, Flamingo Plant, Foxglove, Marijuana, Morning Glory, Nightshade, Onion, Tomato Plant, Tropic Snow Dumbcane

  -Plants: Ceriman (aka Cutleaf Philodendron), Chinese Evergreen, Cordatum, Corn Plant (aka Cornstalk Plant), Cutleaf Philodendron (aka Ceriman), Devil's Ivy, Dumb Cane, Golden Pothos, Green Gold Nephthysis, Marble Queen, Mauna Loa Peace Lily, Nephthytis, Peace Lily, Red-Margined Dracaena, Striped Dracaena, Taro Vine, Warneckei Dracaena

  -Lillies: Asian Lily (liliaceae), Easter Lily, Glory Lily, Japanese Show Lily, Red Lily, Rubrum Lily, Stargazer Lily, Tiger Lily, Wood Lily

  -Shrubs: Cycads, Heavenly Bamboo, Holly, Jerusalem Cherry, Mistletoe "American", Oleander, Precatory Bean, Rhododendron, Saddle Leaf Philodendron, Sago Palm, Tree Philodendron, Yucca
Succulents: Aloe (Aloe Vera)

  -Trees: Avocado, Buddist Pine, Chinaberry Tree, Japanese Yew (aka Yew), Lacy Tree, Macadamia Nut, Madagascar Dragon Tree, Queensland Nut, Schefflera, Yew (aka Japanese Yew)

  -Vines: Branching Ivy, English Ivy, European Bittersweet, Glacier Ivy, Hahn's self branching English Ivy, Needlepoint Ivy

  -Misc/Uncategorized: American Bittersweet, Andromeda Japonica, Azalea, Bird of Paradise, Buckeye, Caladium hortulanum, Calla Lily, Castor Bean, Clematis, Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron, Florida Beauty, Fruit Salad Plant, Golden Dieffenbachia, Gold Dust Dracaena, Heartleaf Philodendron, Horsehead Philodendron, Hurricane Plant, Mexican Breadfruit, Mother-in-law, Panda, Philodendron Pertusum, Red Emerald, Red Princess, Ribbon Plant, Satin Pothos, Spotted Dumb Cane, Sweetheart Ivy, Swiss Cheese Plant, Variable Dieffenbachia, Variegated Philodendron, Yesterday/Today/Tomorrow


Many or all of the dangers listed for cats, applies to dogs as well.

  NOTE: Below is a link to the ASPCA Website. Within it, you'll find helpful & informative information.
Vets, just like with Human Doctors, have to have continuing education as new health problems arise. The ASPCA site is used by many Vets for keeping up to date as well as gathering informative information that may arise due to a new problem with an owners pet. Vets aren't always the "first to know" and are only made aware when an owner brings their beloved pet in due to an Emergency. Hence the ASPCA site that is used by many of us.

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc