Spring has sprung in Maryland’s Charm City of Baltimore, bringing with it beautiful blossoms and blue skies. As we embrace the change of season, it’s crucial to ensure the safety of our beloved pets amidst the beauty of nature.
From March 17th to the 23rd, we observe Pet Poison Prevention Week, a reminder to stay vigilant and informed about potential hazards that could jeopardize our furry friends’ well-being.
Here at Abbey Animal Hospital, we’re committed to safeguarding your pet’s health. Throughout this week, we’ll shed light on common springtime poisons lurking in our surroundings. But remember, knowledge is power! For a comprehensive list of dangerous substances, plants, and foods, don’t hesitate to consult resources like the Pet Poison Helpline or ASPCA Poison Control.
Fertilizers
While most are not very toxic (probably just an upset stomach), some fertilizers can be fatal without treatment. Here are a few ingredients to be aware of so you know what toxins and symptoms to watch out for.
- Blood Meal – This is dried, ground and flash-frozen blood and contains 12% nitrogen. While it’s a great organic fertilizer, if ingested, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. More importantly, it can result in severe pancreatitis.
- Rose & Plan Fertilizers – Some fertilizers contain disulfoton or other organophosphates (OP). As little as 1 teaspoon of 1% disulfoton can kill a 55lb dog!! Organophosphates can cause severe drooling, urination, defecation, seizures, difficulty breathing, hyperthermia and more. It can also be fatal.
- Iron – This is a common additive to fertilizers and can result in iron toxicity. Common symptoms of iron toxicity are vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain, shock, elevated heart rate, panting, and tremors.
- Pesticides & Insecticides – Some contain organophosphates which as mentioned above can be fatal. Sprays can be an irritant to your pet which can cause symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Top 10 Plants Poisonous to Pets
This is only a partial list of poisonous plants. For a more complete list of plants poisonous to cats and dogs, visit Pet Poison Hotline.
Household Cleaners
Some cleaning products can cause mild symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and skin irritation. There are a few that can cause skin burns/lesions in their mouth, face or body. Keep all cleaning products out of reach of pets and kids.
- Drain cleaner
- Concentrated dishwashing chemicals
- Lime-removal products
- Oven cleaners
- Grill cleaners
- Concentrated toilet cleaners
- Bleach
This Spring, we want you and your pets to be safe! If you have ANY questions if something is safe or harmful, do not hesitate to call us at Abbey Animal Hospital, at (410)256-0742, or call the Pet Poison Helpline or ASPCA Poison Control.
