Small Animal Toxins

Question 1

top 10 toxins

Answer 1

• OTC medication
• Human food
• Human prescriptions
• Chocolate
• plats
• household toxicant
• veterinary products
• rodenticides
• insecticides
• recreational drugs

Question 2

Alcohol

Answer 2

• vomiting
• diarrhea
• decreased coordination
• central nervous system depression
• difficulty breathing
• tremors
• acidosis
• coma
• death
• ethanol poisoning can also occur if animal ingests yeast or yeast dough, can also lead to bloat

Question 3

Avocado

Answer 3

• avocado leaves, fruit, seeds, and bark contain fungicidal toxin known as persin
• highest concern w/ birds, rabbits, donkeys, horses, and ruminants

Question 4

Avocado problems

Answer 4

• cardiovascular damage & death in birds
• horses, donkeys, and ruminants frequently get swollen, edematous head and neck
• GI upset in small animals (possible GI obstruction)
• avoid skin and pit

Question 5

Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine

Answer 5

• Methyxanthines found in cacao seeds
• dark chocolate (baking chocolate) = highest concentration > milk chocolate> white chocolate

Question 6

Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine symptoms

Answer 6

• vomiting and diarrhea
• panting, excessive thirst, urination
• hyperactivity
• abnormal heart rhythm
• tremors
• seizures
• death

Question 7

Grapes & Raisins

Answer 7

• toxic principal unknown
• some dogs eat several and are fine while others eat one and get sick
• reported to cause acute kidney failure

Question 8

Nuts (macadamia)

Answer 8

• weakness
• depression
• vomiting
• tremors
• hyperthermia

Question 9

Nuts ( almonds, pecans, walnuts)

Answer 9

• contain high amounts of oils & fats
• vomiting & diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis in pets