Here at MacDonald Veterinary Services, we work together to ensure both you and your pets have a pleasant and welcoming experience. We genuinely care about your pet’s wellbeing, and we strive to give you a clear understanding of your animal’s health care needs at every appointment. Besides happy owners, and healthy pets, our goal is to provide and establish a long lasting doctor-patient-client relationship.

March is National Pet Poison Prevention Month!

This month is dedicated to spreading awareness about the dangers of pet poisons that may be found in your home. By taking a few minutes to educate yourself on the common dangers of items or substances that may be safe for humans but toxic to pets, we can help avoid these dangerous situations.

Common household items toxic to pets:

Xylitol – a sweetener that is toxic to dogs. Small amounts may be life-threatening, causing a drop in blood sugar, or even liver failure if large 

Human Medications – common human drugs like NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and antidepressants can cause serious harm to pets. NSAIDs can cause GI ulcers and kidney failure. Acetaminophen causes damage to red blood cells in cats and can cause severe liver failure in dogs. Antidepressants can cause neurological problems- sedation, incoordination, agitation, tremors, and seizures.

Flowers – Lilies (tiger, day, Asiatic, Easter, and Japanese lilies) are HIGHLY toxic to cats. Just a small amount ingested of petals, leaves, or even pollen can cause severe kidney failure. Spring Bulbs (daffodils, tulips) may cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Serious reactions include heart rate and respiratory changes.

Chocolate – The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for your pet! The chemical toxicity in chocolate comes from methylxanthines which are related to caffeine. Signs of chocolate toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and possibly death.

Fertilizers – Many are basic gastrointestinal irritants. Some are combined with organophosphates or carbamates which can be harmful and deadly. Ingestion may cause drooling, watery eyes, urination, defecation, seizures, difficulty breathing, fever, and even death.

Pest Control Products – Ingestion of rodent bait typically results in blood clotting disorders or neurologic symptoms depending on the type of rodent bait. These cases require immediate treatment and may be fatal if not promptly addressed.

If you think your pet has ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call the ASPCA poison control Center at (888) 426-4435!