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Lara · 06-23-2007, 09:43 AM

Many household items and substances can be toxic and lethal to dogs and other animals. Check and see what you may have around your house that can or may be harmful to your pet. Store these items listed below in a locked and secured area; as some dogs have the ablity to open doors, and cupboards.

Environmental Contaminants

Substance Probable Cause Clinical Signs

Household Products
Dry Cleaning Fluid, Matches, Fertilizers, Mothballs, Furniture polish, Shampoos. Perfumes, Window cleaner, Laundry Bleach

The potential for household products to cause toxicity in dogs is significant because dogs are often confined to the home. Among cleaners disinfectants, strong acids and alkalis are often used. These can range from vomiting and diarrhoea to pneumonia.

Antifreeze Ethylene Glycol is found in antifreeze (up to 95%). It is odourless, colourless, and sweet tasting water-soluble liquid. The first clinical stage occurs 30 minutes to 12 hours after ingestion and is characterised by vomiting, depression, abnormal righting reflexes, generalized or focal seizures and coma.

Fuels are widely used in household and commercial products, such as charcoal lighters, cooking fuels, lighter fluid and fire kindlers. Kerosene, diesel oils and house heating oils are included. Fuels consist of a variety of hydrocarbon compounds. Depending on the fuel, level of exposure and time since exposure. Exposure is an emergency. Signs may include: -Irritation to skin and mouth, diarrhoea, coughing, tremors, depression, seizures and coma.

Herbicides & Fungicides

Substance Probable Cause Clinical Signs

Herbicides In addition to toxicity from arsenic herbicides, dog toxicity is also occasionally observed from the phenol containing herbicides and from the chlorate salts. The low cost of both these materials makes them popular with local agencies for weed control. Only rarely are toxicities observed from 2,4,5-T and paraquat.

No specific antidotes are available for these chemicals. With few exceptions, clinical signs associated with herbicides are non-specific and include loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea. progressive muscular weakness and possible death.

Fungicides Although the various solvents used for currently employed fungicides may be toxic, by and large the chemical fungicides themselves are of limited hazard. Methyl bromide, captan, dinitroorthocresol, carbamate fungicides and organotin materials are potentially toxic. Usually similar to those observed in herbicide intoxication, but may include greater involvement of the nervous system.

Insecticides

Insecticides Probable Cause Clinical Signs

Common insecticides include sheep dips, flea powders, flea washes and snail bait. Intoxication has occurred from a variety of compounds.

Exposure is usually the result of improperly stored or disposed of preparations, spilled mixtures or containers left open where dogs may have access to them.

Dogs have been poisoned by applying preparations intended for another species, an overly aggressive control program for internal/external parasites, and by oral ingestion of insecticides such as snail bait.

Each animal may not exhibit all possible effects. Early in the poisoning symptoms are uneasiness and apprehension, progressing to licking, chewing or swallowing motions (associated with increased salivation) and muscular twitching around the face and eyes.

As the poisoning progresses abdominal pain, cramping, vomiting, defecation, end frequent urination commonly occur. Wetness around the lips, froth and slobbering are noticed. Muscular twitching progresses to whole body muscle fasciculations that become evident over the back of the animal. Death occurs within minutes to hours after onset of clinical signs and results from respiratory failure.

Resource
The above information was compiled from the city of Christchurch, New Zealand.

Final Notes
Remember there is no substitute for a good vet. If you think you have a problem with your pet, large or small, please seek professional medical attention immediately. The web is a wonderful place to acquire and accumulate information, however, it should never replace the professional medical advice and/or opinion from a hands on veterinarian.

Remember Yorkies are extremely small animals and can dehydrate very quickly. Get your yorkshire terrier to the vet immediately if he/she is vomiting, has diarrhea, or shows other signs of dehydration. Call your vet first, and never dismiss the fact that it could be fatal.

06-23-2007, 09:43 AM	#20
Lara Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 103	Many household items and substances can be toxic and lethal to dogs and other animals. Check and see what you may have around your house that can or may be harmful to your pet. Store these items listed below in a locked and secured area; as some dogs have the ablity to open doors, and cupboards. Environmental Contaminants Substance Probable Cause Clinical Signs Household Products Dry Cleaning Fluid, Matches, Fertilizers, Mothballs, Furniture polish, Shampoos. Perfumes, Window cleaner, Laundry Bleach The potential for household products to cause toxicity in dogs is significant because dogs are often confined to the home. Among cleaners disinfectants, strong acids and alkalis are often used. These can range from vomiting and diarrhoea to pneumonia. Antifreeze Ethylene Glycol is found in antifreeze (up to 95%). It is odourless, colourless, and sweet tasting water-soluble liquid. The first clinical stage occurs 30 minutes to 12 hours after ingestion and is characterised by vomiting, depression, abnormal righting reflexes, generalized or focal seizures and coma. Fuels are widely used in household and commercial products, such as charcoal lighters, cooking fuels, lighter fluid and fire kindlers. Kerosene, diesel oils and house heating oils are included. Fuels consist of a variety of hydrocarbon compounds. Depending on the fuel, level of exposure and time since exposure. Exposure is an emergency. Signs may include: -Irritation to skin and mouth, diarrhoea, coughing, tremors, depression, seizures and coma. Herbicides & Fungicides Substance Probable Cause Clinical Signs Herbicides In addition to toxicity from arsenic herbicides, dog toxicity is also occasionally observed from the phenol containing herbicides and from the chlorate salts. The low cost of both these materials makes them popular with local agencies for weed control. Only rarely are toxicities observed from 2,4,5-T and paraquat. No specific antidotes are available for these chemicals. With few exceptions, clinical signs associated with herbicides are non-specific and include loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea. progressive muscular weakness and possible death. Fungicides Although the various solvents used for currently employed fungicides may be toxic, by and large the chemical fungicides themselves are of limited hazard. Methyl bromide, captan, dinitroorthocresol, carbamate fungicides and organotin materials are potentially toxic. Usually similar to those observed in herbicide intoxication, but may include greater involvement of the nervous system. Insecticides Insecticides Probable Cause Clinical Signs Common insecticides include sheep dips, flea powders, flea washes and snail bait. Intoxication has occurred from a variety of compounds. Exposure is usually the result of improperly stored or disposed of preparations, spilled mixtures or containers left open where dogs may have access to them. Dogs have been poisoned by applying preparations intended for another species, an overly aggressive control program for internal/external parasites, and by oral ingestion of insecticides such as snail bait. Each animal may not exhibit all possible effects. Early in the poisoning symptoms are uneasiness and apprehension, progressing to licking, chewing or swallowing motions (associated with increased salivation) and muscular twitching around the face and eyes. As the poisoning progresses abdominal pain, cramping, vomiting, defecation, end frequent urination commonly occur. Wetness around the lips, froth and slobbering are noticed. Muscular twitching progresses to whole body muscle fasciculations that become evident over the back of the animal. Death occurs within minutes to hours after onset of clinical signs and results from respiratory failure. Resource The above information was compiled from the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. Final Notes Remember there is no substitute for a good vet. If you think you have a problem with your pet, large or small, please seek professional medical attention immediately. The web is a wonderful place to acquire and accumulate information, however, it should never replace the professional medical advice and/or opinion from a hands on veterinarian. Remember Yorkies are extremely small animals and can dehydrate very quickly. Get your yorkshire terrier to the vet immediately if he/she is vomiting, has diarrhea, or shows other signs of dehydration. Call your vet first, and never dismiss the fact that it could be fatal. __________________ "Sir Lee-Roy"