Mothballs are pesticides that slowly release a gas vapor to kill and repel moths (and their larvae) and other insects. Mothballs are also used to repel snakes, mice, and other animals, though this use is not recommended and can be harmful to pets, children, and the environment. Mothballs come in cakes, scales, powder, balls, cubes,…

Flea and tick collars vary in their active ingredient. Often, these collars contain amitraz (a chemical that is an alpha2-adrenergic agonist and monoamine oxidase inhibitor), organophosphates or carbamates, or pyrethrins/pyrethroids. Please see each individual active ingredient for more information. When flea and tick collars are accidentally ingested or applied to pets inappropriately, they can result…

There are over 1500 species of scorpions throughout the world (except Antarctica). In North America, only one species is considered venomous: the Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides exilicauda, formerly Centruroides sculpturatus). This scorpion is approximately 7-8 cm in length, light brown in color, and nocturnal. The venom in scorpions is a mixture of neurotoxins, proteins, and…

Carbon monoxide (CO), a poisonous gas that is produced from fires, car exhaust systems, and generators, is toxic to all species. When inhaled in high enough concentrations, it causes oxygen starvation (e.g., hypoxia) to the cells of the body. In dogs and cats, poisoning from carbon monoxide occurs secondary to fires/smoke inhalation or secondary to…

Most of the common flea and tick medications are topical drugs (applied to the skin over the neck/back) that contain pyrethrins or pyrethroids. Pyrethrins are a class of drugs derived from the Chrysanthemum flower/plant, while pyrethroids are synthetic derivatives. In cats, signs of poisoning include profuse drooling, vomiting, tremoring, hyperexcitability, agitation, seizures, weakness, and difficulty…