SPRING

As the calendar moves towards warmer days and more time spent outside with our pets the list of potential poisons grows. Certainly chocolate, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, xylitol containing products, and other food groups should still be on our radar screen but we now need to be more vigilant about the following items:

Lilies: Easter lilies and other types of lilies such as Tiger Lilies, Asian lilies, and others can be deadly to cats. Ingestion of ANY part of the plant is associated with kidney failure and death.

Tulips, daffodils, and other spring blooming bulbs: The flowers are often irritating to the stomach and intestine and cause vomiting and diarrhea. Eating the bulbs is usually associated with more serious problems such as depression, lethargy, and weakness. You should be especially careful when transplanting iris and lily of the valley as death can occur if these bulbs are eaten.

Garden Fertilizer: There are hundreds of varieties of garden fertilizers on the market. While most of them are not harmful to our pets, some contain iron, insecticides, or other compounds that can be quite dangerous. These compounds will be listed on the product label so it is a good idea to have that close by when calling for assistance.

Cocoa Bean Mulch: The rich chocolate smell of freshly applied cocoa bean mulch is enough to entice many dogs. Sadly, eating moderate amounts of this product can result in signs of chocolate poisoning. Generally, the first sign is an upset stomach and vomiting, but eating larger amounts can cause changes in the heart rate, seizures, and death.

Snail and slug baits: There are many safe products that can be used to deter pests in your lawn or garden. A large number of commercial garden snail and slug repellents, however, contain ingredients that are highly poisonous to pets. Two specific ingredients, metaldehyde and methiocarb, cause life threatening problems in pets even if they are eaten in only very small amounts. Be sure to read the label carefully and keep pets far away from these products.

Antifreeze (ethylene glycol): If you have an auto enthusiast in your family or just a car that is leaking from the radiator you need to be especially alert to the problems associated with antifreeze containing ethylene glycol. It has a pleasant, sweet taste that cats and dogs seem to love. Unfortunately, even small amounts can be deadly to cats and dogs. Pets should be kept away from any spills, small or large, until they are completely cleaned up and containers stored in areas inaccessible to pets.

Grass seeds: Tiny grass seeds, even if they are treated with fungicides, are rarely considered toxic. Eating large amounts of grass can result in a Real danger can present, however, if a dog eats large quantities of the seeds which can clump up in the stomach result in a mass or clump in the stomach which may need surgical removal. Care needs to be taken as well to keep these tiny seeds out of our pet's eyes, ears, nose, and footpad.