According to the web site of The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the number of pets ingesting household and backyard poisons is increasing. In some cases, such as with polyurethane glue, the increase is dramatic. Since 2002 the number of dogs ingesting this glue has risen 740%.
For some reason dogs and cats are ingesting more poisons than in the past. Perhaps there are more products around that are made with poisonous ingredients, or perhaps with our busy lives we forget to put things away in a safe place. Whatever the reason, there is a significant increase in the number of pets dying each year from poisonous substances.
People love their pets and don't want to see them suffer. There are precautions everyone can take to protect their dog, cat, bird, ferret or whatever from ingesting poisons found inside the home, in the garage, and in the yard.
With the coming of cold weather the number of dogs and cats dying from ingesting antifreeze and ice melts increases. Antifreeze is very toxic and even small amounts can cause kidney damage that is life-threatening.
Most cases of antifreeze poisoning occur right at the animal's own home because the proper storage containers were not used or the antifreeze was not disposed of properly. Keep these things in mind when working with antifreeze:
? Clean up spills immediately ? Check for leaks under your car regularly ? Store antifreeze in clearly marked containers that are sealed and out of reach of your pets ? Never allow your pet into the area where you are draining radiator fluid from your vehicle ? Consider using products containing propylene glycol, which is a less toxic form of antifreeze instead of those containing ethylene glycol
If you think your pet has ingested antifreeze contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 immediately.
Ice melts (used in areas where it snows to melt ice) are another cold weather problem for pets. Walking on ice melts that contain ingredients such as calcium chloride and sodium chloride (table salt) can cause skin irritation. If your pet licks their paws and ingests the ice melt they can experience many side affects including drooling, vomiting, decreased muscle function, and in severe cases, seizures, coma and even death.
Again, if you think your pet has come in contact with an ice melt product it is important you contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center right away. There are different treatments for different types of ice melts so it will help if you know the type your pet was exposed to.
To help protect your pet memorize the list of poisonous items found on the ASPCA web site at: http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_poisonsafe. Keep these things out of reach of your pet. Included in this list are things as common as:
? Coffee ? Onions ? Garlic ? Salt ? Yeast dough ? Avocado ? Alcoholic beverages ? Chocolate ? Raisons and grapes ? Citronella candles ? Vitamins ? Diet pills ? Pain killers ? Cold medicines ? Moth balls ? Fabric softener sheets ? Liquid potpourri ? Rat and mouse bait ? Products sweetened with xylitol (includes some sugar-free gum and candy)
The list is long, but it could save the life of your dog or cat if you memorize it and then keep these things out of your pet's reach.
Copyright 2006 Carol Stack
As small as these little creatures are, it's amazing what a rucus the can basis. Many spiders are safe, but there are some general spiders that should truely be feared. It is important to be able to discover spiders that are vicious and the symptoms spider bites can grounds. It would be an excellent idea to place some glue traps around your house, to help you identify what types of spiders you have lived with you. As it is hard to get a close look at them when they are operations across your stump or, when they are squished in a tissue or under your shoe.
The traveler spider has a bronzed body and can grow from 1/4 to 5/8 edge in extent. It is generally found in Idaho and Utah. It is a European migrant that has lately been implicated as a potentially lethal spider in the United States. They live in focus web. The hobo spider bites arise in bed or clothing where the spider is attentive next to the skin.
The primary piece from a hobo spider is commonly painless but hardens within 30 summary. The topic of the prick may have deadness and it joint to feel dizzy. After 15 to 35 hours the field forms blisters and can outset to marsh, which stops after about 24 hours. It causes a lengthy remedial wound. It can take months to settle. The hobo spider bites is not considered to be lethal but fatalities have occurred.
The Brown Recluse spider is one of the few hazardous spiders in the United States. It is also called the fiddle back spider or violin spider because of the violin influence smear on it. It's native to south pivotal United States but can be commonly found in the inner mid western states. It is best to use glue traps for russet loner, because they are not unnatural by pesticides.
The first spiciness from a Brown Recluse spider is commonly painless and the victim can be ignorant for 3 to 8 hours later. Then the location of the gnaw might stroll red and inflamed. The taster could take a long time to heal. It would often allow scaring. It is very atypical for an overthrow to appear from a bronzed loner spider sting but they still must be treated as the dangers spider
Adult female black widow spiders are about 1/2-crawl long, not counting the legs. They jet black with a red hourglass marking underneath their circular abdomen. The adult males are around half the volume of the females. Females can be identified by their red dots and pasty ranks along the abdomen. The gentleman blacked widow spider is innocent. It's the females you have to inspect for. In jump or summer the black widow shrink to mate.
A black widow spider chewed can go ignored. The intensity of the bind depends on amount of spite injected and the matter of the prick. The bloodstream carries the poison around the body and it acts on the anxious procedure, causing different levels of grief. There may be slim confined puffiness and two red penetrate points from the fangs. Pain usually starts from the maul location and mechanism it way to the abdomen and back causing plain cramping in the abdominal muscles in some gear. Less than 5 percent of black widow spider bites results in death.
Wolf Spiders are a mutual household vermin that look for a convivial place to continue for wintertime. They do not spin webs but they search for food at night. The Wolf Spider could be commonly mistaken for brunette hermit spider, but they require the violin-shaped marking behind their chief. They are not aggressive and will run away from disturbances.
With consume spider bites you will feel some home drag. Itchiness, giddiness, sickness, and swelling are uncommon, but they can be symptoms.
Both Carol Stack & Jacob Saxbury are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Carol Stack has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Fishing and Fitness. Carol Stack has been working with dogs for over three decades. She lives with her husband, 3 kids, 4 dogs, 8 cats and 1 bird (Bob) in California. She and her daughter Christy have created a site especially for dog lovers at:. Carol Stack's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.
Jacob Saxbury has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Medicine and Pets. Find tips about and. Jacob Saxbury's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.