CVA Urges Pet Owners to Recognize “National Pet Poison Prevention Week”

March 5, 2014 - PRLog -- (Valley Stream, NY) — Central Veterinary Associates (http://www.centralvets.com/) (CVA) is reminding pet owners that the week of March 20 is designated as “National Pet Poison Prevention Week.” Throughout this week, CVA is urging pet owners to recognize the common poisonous items and household products that can cause serious illnesses or death in pets.

Some of the most common poisons to pets can be found in your own home. Below is a list of products and items that you should always keep away from your pets:

Human Medication — One of the most poisonous ingredients to pets is acetaminophen (Tylenol). Acetaminophen can cause serious damage to the pets’ organs. Be sure to dispense your medication over a sink or bowl to ensure that it’s not dropping on the floor where your pet can get a hold of it.
Sugar-Free Gum/Mints Containing Xylitol — Only a brief taste of these treats will seriously poison your pet. These products contain xylitol, which is a sugar substitute that has killed a large number of dogs and cats. Be sure to put them in a safe place, like a zippered part of your bag or in a drawer that cannot be accessed by pets.

Caffeinated Beverages — Coffee can kickstart a human’s day; however, pets should not drink it. The caffeine in coffee, soda, tea, chocolate, and iced tea can be toxic to pets and lead to abnormal heart rhythms, seizure, and death.
Alcohol — This is a serious toxin that should never be consumed by pets. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, a coma, or death.
Grapes and Raisins — Make sure the kids are not dropping these on the floor. Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure.
Onions and Garlic — These foods can lead to serious anemia and can make your pet extremely sick or even pass away if consumed in large enough quantities. If you are using them to cook, be certain not to share with your family pet.
Chocolate — It was already mentioned above but this is one of the most common poisons dogs will eat. Besides caffeine, it also contains a second poison called theobromine. Chocolate can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, heart arrhythmias, seizures, and/or death if consumed in large enough quantities.
Rat Poison — Believe it or not, we see many cases of rat poison ingestion each year. There are different kinds with some leading to bleeding disorders and others leading to neurological problems. If your pet ingests enough, it can lead to death. If you have a pet, you are better off not using it in your home.

Plants — Beautiful plants can enhance the décor of your home and even create a pleasant scent. Nevertheless, plants such as poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, lilies, and daffodils contain toxins that can cause gastrointestinal upset, kidney failure, seizures, or death in pets.
Household Cleaners — When preparing for spring cleaning, make sure that your pets stay far away from the products you’re using. Essential cleaning products contain ingredients such as bleach, ammonia, chlorine, and formaldehyde that can put pets at risk for anemia, or liver and kidney damage if consumed.

“Most pet owners are unaware of the poisonous items in their own homes or that certain items can even be dangerous to pets,” says Dr. John Charos, President/CEO, Central Veterinary Associates. “It is vital that pet owners review the hazards of the above products and make sure they keep pets far away from them. If your pet accidentally consumes a poisonous product, bring them to a veterinarian immediately for proper care.”

Central Veterinary Associates’ Valley Stream office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, or to make an appointment, call Central Veterinary Associates at (516) 825-3066 or visit www.centralvets.com.

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About Central Veterinary Associates

Central Veterinary Associates (http://www.centralvets.com/) is a 24-hour, full-service hospital that provides optimal small animal medicine, including exotic medicine. The main hospital is located in Valley Stream, which provides 24-hour care at its state-of-the-art facility. Central Veterinary Associates also has other convenient locations in Mineola, Great Neck, Bayside, Forest Hills, and Far Rockaway. The hospital features intensive care units and intravenous infusion pumps and offers state-of-the-art radiology, endoscopy, ultrasonography, otoscopy and dentistry services. Central Veterinary Associates has over 110 staff members, including 18 veterinarians, as well as a board-certified radiologist, surgeon and internist available for consultation, a canine and feline general practice specialist and certified veterinary acupuncturist on staff. For more information, call (516) 825-3066 or visit www.centralvets.com.