TO ALL PET OWNERS BEWARE OF HIDDEN PET POISONS

Beware Hidden Pet Poisons The surprising new dangers on every ER veterinarian's list By Justine Lee, DVM By age 7, I knew I wanted to become a veterinarian. So I was thrilled to be appointed caretaker of our family's Pekingese, who needed a daily pill for chronic allergies. Every morning, I carefully hid a tablet in a grape so he would gulp it down without suspecting anything. What I didn't realize at the time was that my loving approach could have killed him. Healthy Living •Natural Alternatives to the Top 10 Most Prescribed Drugs •Destination: Healthy Travel •Do You Have a Clutter Problem? Pets Get 1,130 pet secrets to pamper, treat and train your pets! Find out more. Most pet lovers know they should keep household poisons such as antifreeze out of reach. But in the past few years, veterinary researchers have discovered that a number of seemingly harmless substances--such as grapes and raisins--can be lethal to animals. That's in addition to common dangers that vets have known about for years, but which are still completely under the radar for many owners. Add up these factors, and you get sick animals at vet hospitals, including the one where I work as an emergency specialist. Fortunately, it's easy to keep your pet out of trouble. Here are the toxins causing the biggest problems in my ER these days. Sugarless gum The artificial sweetener xylitol, found in many sugarless gums, is harmless to humans, but researchers recently realized that if a dog eats it, the result could be a life-threatening drop in blood sugar, followed by liver failure. If your dog likes to root around in your purse for something tasty, be alert to this danger: As little as one pack of gum with xylitol (or two muffins made with the sweetener) can be fatal without immediate treatment. Grapes and raisins A study in 2001 showed they can be dangerous to dogs, but plenty of owners haven't gotten the word. Researchers aren't sure exactly what compound in the fruit causes problems, but they do know it's idiosyncratic--it triggers kidney failure in some dogs but not others, and there's no telling which animal will be affected. What's more, the poison isn't dose-dependent, which means that one dog will be felled by a tiny amount, while another can pig out on a pound of grapes and walk away perfectly fine. (Luckily for my childhood pet's health--and my youthful psyche--our Pekingese had no problems.) Labradors and golden retrievers seem most likely to be sickened by the fruits, but that's not because of a breed sensitivity--it's just that they are chowhounds and eat anything they can find! Your bouquet of lilies Cats love to nibble on fresh greenery--my own cat heads straight to any bouquet I put out. But if your floral centerpiece includes lilies, a single bite of a leaf, stem, or petal can be deadly. This is a particularly nasty poison: Easter, Asiatic, Oriental, and some day lily species can cause deadly kidney failure within a day, and sometimes there's nothing a vet can do to help. If you're a cat lover, these plants don't belong in your garden, no matter how much you like their showy looks. As for inside the home, it doesn't help that these fragrant, inexpensive flowers are a favorite of florists. If you're in doubt, just toss the bouquet. Read more: http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/beware-hidden-pet-poisons?cm_mmc=AOL_BBI-_-7_Ways_To_Pet_Proof_Your_Outdoor_Spaces-_- Beware Hidden Pet Poisons The surprising new dangers on every ER veterinarian's list How to get help fast If you think your pet might have scarfed down something dangerous, a quick call to an expert is critical. These reliable services charge a fee, but prompt care is the best way to protect your pet's health, as well as your wallet. Animal Poison Control Center is a service of the ASPCA: (888) 426-4435 or aspca.org/apcc. $60 per incident. Pet Poison Helpline partners with the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center: (800) 213-6680 or petpoisonhelpline.com. $35 per incident. Read more: http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/beware-hidden-pet-poisons#ixzz1yLOJGcAo