Reviewed by Dr Katie DavisonBVMS MRCVS - RCVS Recognised Advanced Veterinarian
Every year we treat pets that have got into something they shouldn't have - and with poisonings, minutes matter. Knowing the common culprits, and having our number handy, can make all the difference.
Here are the poisons we see most often in New Zealand homes and gardens, and exactly what to do if you think your pet has eaten one.
If you think your pet has been poisoned
Act fast and call us on 07 870 2696, day or night. Three important rules:
- Don't try to make your pet vomit unless we've told you to - for some poisons that causes more harm
- If you can, bring the packet, plant or product with you so we know exactly what we're dealing with
- The sooner we see them, the more we can do - early treatment is far more effective
Garden & shed dangers
Rat and mouse bait is the poisoning we see most. Most baits stop the blood clotting, causing internal bleeding that can appear days after eating it - so pets need treatment even if they seem fine at first. There's an effective antidote when we catch it early.
Snail and slug bait (metaldehyde) is another common one, causing tremors and seizures fast - a life-threatening emergency. And watch out for toxic plants: lilies cause fatal kidney failure in cats from even a tiny nibble or a lick of pollen, and Brunfelsia ('yesterday-today-and-tomorrow') causes seizures in dogs.
Kitchen & household toxins
Plenty of everyday foods and items are dangerous to pets:
- Chocolate - especially dark and cooking chocolate (toxic to dogs)
- Grapes, raisins and sultanas - can cause kidney failure in dogs
- Onions, garlic and chives - damage red blood cells (dogs and cats)
- Xylitol - a sweetener in sugar-free gum, some peanut butters and baking - highly toxic to dogs
- Human medications - paracetamol is especially deadly to cats; never give human medicines without asking us first
Prevention is easier than treatment
Most poisonings are preventable. Store rat, snail and slug baits well out of reach - they're designed to be tasty, which is exactly the problem - keep human food and medicines away from curious noses, and check your plants against a pet-safe list. Cat owners: please keep lilies out of the house and garden entirely. If in doubt about anything your pet has eaten, call us - we'd always rather hear from you early.