Human Medication Toxicities
Paracetamol:
Paracetamol is poisonous to cats and is rapidly absorbed and signs of paracetamol ingestion may occur within 4 hours in cats, but almost always within 6-24 hours.
The most striking early sign of paracetamol toxicity is discolouration to the mucous membranes, and gums and tongue may appear brown in colour
There may also be
Treatment:
Ibuprofen:
Common signs to watch for:
Treatment
Early decontamination and treatment decrease the risk for serious effects. If ibuprofen ingestion occurred within a few hours of treatment, the veterinarian may induce vomiting. (Inducing vomiting at home should never be attempted in a cat because it may cause severe irritation of the stomach). Once vomiting is controlled, activated charcoal may be administered to decrease the absorption of ibuprofen by the gastrointestinal tract. Depending upon the dose ingested, hospitalized care may be needed for fluids and monitoring. Cats developing more serious signs may require intensive therapy as they have an increased risk for long term effects or death. Blood work to monitor the liver and kidney function as well as the red blood cell count may be performed.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a medication used to stimulate hair growth and treat hypotension in humans. The topical solution is commonly known as Rogaine®, but your pet has nothing to “gain” if exposed to this medication. If your pet is exposed to this medication, it can result in serious poisoning.
Signs of minoxidil toxicity:
Dogs
Cats
Cats are particularly sensitive to this medication, and any exposure can result in severe poisoning and potentially death. Dogs can develop clinical signs at very low amounts of medication, and often, the signs are not easily seen by owners. Signs of poisoning usually occur within 45 minutes to a few hours.
Depending on how long it has been since your pet was exposed, your veterinarian may want to induce vomiting to attempt to remove any medication still in their stomach or bathe your pet to remove the product. Your veterinarian will likely recommend hospitalization to provide supportive care and proper monitoring as your pet recovers.
IF YOUR PET INGESTS ANY FORM OF HUMAN MEDICATION THEN SEEK VETERINARY ADVICE IMMEDIATELY.
Household Plants
Lilies
Lilies, that is, Lilium (true lily) and Hemerocallis (day lily) species, are poisonous to cats and cause kidney failure. The toxic chemicals and the mechanism of lily poisoning are unknown but all parts of the plant are thought to be toxic including the leaves, flowers and pollen. Ingestion of even a small quantity (e.g. less than one leaf or part of a flower), as well as grooming pollen from the fur, is enough to potentially cause severe poisoning in a cat.
Initial signs of lily poisoning usually start within 1 to 6 hours of ingestion. Initial signs include: • Vomiting • Reduced appetite • Drooling • Lethargy • Weakness After this kidney failure starts to develop which may cause: • Increased and then reduced urine output • More vomiting • Depression • Thirst • Painful kidneys • Convulsions
If your cat has eaten any part of a true lily or day lily, even the pollen – contact your vet immediately. • Wash any pollen off the fur and face to prevent further ingestion. • Your vet will take blood and urine samples to check and monitor your cat’s kidney function. • Other treatments may include intravenous fluid therapy for 2 days and monitoring of urine output
Yew
This common evergreen (meaning the plant stays green all year round) is extremely poisonous to all species (e.g., dogs, cats, horses, cattle, humans, etc.). All parts of the plant (including the succulent, red berries) are very poisonous, as they contain taxines. There are several varieties of plants in the Taxus spp., including the Japanese Yew and English Yew.
When ingested by dogs and cats, clinical signs of drooling, vomiting, weakness, difficulty breathing, life-threatening changes in heart rate and blood pressure, dilated pupils, tremors, seizures, coma and death may be seen. Recently, florists have started to use Japanese Yew to make wreaths for the holidays. As horses are very susceptible to yew poisoning, make sure not to have this around the barn or pasture!
Poinsettia
During the holidays, poinsettias are a popular Christmas plant. Though they have a bad rap, poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) plants are only mildly toxic to cats and dogs. The milky white sap found in poinsettias contains chemicals called diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents. While poinsettias are commonly “hyped” as poisonous plants, they rarely are, and the poisoning is greatly exaggerated. When ingested, mild signs of vomiting; drooling, or rarely, diarrhoea may be seen. If the milky sap is exposed to skin, dermal irritation (including redness, swelling, and itchiness) may develop. Rarely, eye exposure can result in mild irritation. Signs are generally self-limiting and typically don’t require medical treatment unless severe and persistent. There is no antidote for poinsettia poisoning. That said, due to the low level of toxicity seen with poinsettia ingestion, medical treatment is rarely necessary unless clinical signs are severe.
Common signs to watch for:
Chemicals
Benzalkonium Chloride
Many household disinfectants, such as antibacterial sprays and some patio cleaners, contain a compound called benzalkonium chloride which is a cationic detergent. Cationic detergents are irritants and can cause adverse effects in cats that have licked or walked over treated surfaces. Disinfectants can be harmful to cats and so should be used sensibly and only when necessary
Signs of benzalkonium chloride exposure often do not occur immediately and can be delayed by several hours. Signs of benzalkonium chloride exposure include: • Drooling • A red and inflamed tongue with a painful mouth • High body temperature • Reduced appetite and/or drinking • Redness and irritation of the skin • Coughing and breathing difficulties
Vet treatment may include one or more of the following: – Pain relief – Drugs to control drooling – Intravenous fluids – Syringe feeding
Antifreeze
Antifreeze, which often contains ethylene glycol (EG), can be extremely dangerous to dogs and cats. Sources of ethylene glycol include automotive antifreeze (radiator coolant, which typically contains 95% ethylene glycol), windshield de-icing agents, motor oils, hydraulic brake fluid, developing solutions for photography, paints, solvents, etc. As little as a tablespoon can result in severe acute kidney failure in dogs, while as little as 1 teaspoon can be fatal to cats. When dogs or cats are exposed to a toxic dose of ethylene glycol, immediate treatment is necessary. Some “pet-safe” antifreeze products contain propylene glycol, which is much safer than ethylene glycol if ingested.
Three stages of poisoning can be seen with ethylene glycol:
Stage 1: This occurs within 30 minutes to 12 hours, and looks similar to alcohol poisoning. Signs of incoordination, drooling, vomiting, seizures, and excessive thirst and urination may be seen.
Stage 2: This occurs within 12-24 hours post-exposure, and clinical signs seen to “resolve” when in fact more severe internal injury is still occurring.
Stage 3: In cats, this stage occurs 12-24 hours after ethylene glycol exposure. In dogs, this stage occurs 36-72 hours post-ingestion. During this stage, severe acute kidney failure occurs. Signs of inappetence, lethargy, drooling, vomiting, seizures, and coma may be seen.
Treatment for ethylene glycol poisoning includes the antidote fomepizole (also known as 4-MP) or ethanol. Fomepizole is expensive but life-saving when administered to dogs within the first 8-12 hours of ingestion. In cats, the antidote must be administered within 3 hours of ingestion to be effective; after this time period, ethylene glycol poisoning is almost 100% fatal without hemodialysis. Aggressive therapy is necessary to survive.
Xylitol
Xylitol is a natural, sugar-free sweetener commonly found in chewing gums, mints, foods (e.g., pudding, gelatin snacks, sauces, syrups, jams, etc.), sweets, oral rinses, toothpastes, OTC supplements (e.g., sugar-free chewable multivitamins, fish oils, etc.), some essential oil products, nasal sprays, and even makeup and personal lubricants.
When dogs eat something containing xylitol, the xylitol is more quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, and may result in a potent release of insulin from the pancreas.
This rapid release of insulin may result in a rapid and profound decrease in the level of blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), an effect that can occur within 10 to 60 minutes of eating the xylitol. Untreated, this hypoglycaemia can quickly be life-threatening
Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs include vomiting, followed by symptoms associated with the sudden lowering of your dog’s blood sugar, such as decreased activity, weakness, staggering, incoordination, collapse and seizures.
Daffodils
These flowers contain lycorine, an alkaloid with strong emetic properties (something that triggers vomiting). Crystals are found in the outer layer of the bulbs, similar to hyacinths, which cause severe tissue irritation and secondary drooling. Daffodil ingestions can result in more severe symptoms so if an exposure is witnessed or symptoms are seen, we recommend seeking veterinary care for further supportive care.
Common signs to watch for:
Apricots, nectarines, damsons, cherries, plums, peaches and cherry laurel all belong to the Prunus family. If the seeds, or stones of these fruits are chewed and swallowed, it can cause toxic effects. The stones of these fruits contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can be broken down by enzymes to produce hydrogen cyanide. Cyanide inhibits cytochrome oxidase, an enzyme necessary for cellular oxygen transport, preventing appropriate oxygen uptake by cells.
Effects may appear very quickly, or may be delayed and can include frothing at the mouth, large pupils, breathing difficulties, dilated pupils, inadequate oxygen levels, bright red gums, shock and sudden death. Stones swallowed whole are less likely to cause severe effects, but may still cause a stomach upset, or may cause an obstruction.
Cannabinoids
Toxicity can occur via ingestion or inhalation.
Common sources: • fresh and dried plant material (concentration of toxins depends on part of the plant i.e. flowers > leaves > stalk) • smoke • baked goods • oils • vape liquids
Clinical signs typically occur: • 6-12 mins following inhalation. • 30 mins-3 hours following ingestion Neurological clinical signs predominate: • Apathy, CNS depression, ataxia, urinary incontinence, excessive physical sensitivity, pupil dilation, slowed heart rate, increased sensitivity to motion or sound.
Less often: • Agitation, aggression, slowed breathing rate, hypotension, increased heart rate, and nystagmus. Rarely: • Seizures and coma, death.
Also: • Gastrointestinal signs (vomiting, hyper salivation). • Pancreatitis (ingestion of baked goods containing cannabis oil/butter). Synthetic cannabinoids have more potent psychotropic effects than naturally occurring cannabinoids. Occasionally, clinical signs can alternate between CNS depression and CNS stimulation.
