HOUSEHOLD DANGERS & TOXINS
The Following is just a PARTIAL LIST

For a complete list please visit AMVA Pet Poison Guide

Nose and Mouth Cancers are becoming more prevalent because of animals sniffing and eating items off the floor. Try to use natural product to clean floor and remember not to use insecticides around pets and when you do use toxic substances wipe floor surfaces after with a natural cleaner. Steam mops are the best way to clean any surface and keep both your pet and family safe from floor toxins/germs.

Also remembering if you smoke- so does your pet- you not only are damaging YOUR health but your pets. Consider quitting for the both of you!

Flea and Tick Collars:  Some are safer than others. Read all info before using and avoid all Hartz flea products (read here). Other collars may be fine on one pet but if they are playing with another animal and the other pet grabs the collar with it's mouth during play it maybe poisoned! Use any type of chemicals with caution! Please visit our page on Flea products.

Plastic Bowls- Painted Ceramic Bowls always put water in STAINLESS STEEL or CLEAR GLASS BOWLS (made in the USA or EUROPE - not made in CHINA). Avoid plastics and ceramic! Plastic deteriorates no matter how often you clean or change water. Research shows that when plastic containers, such as cups and dishes are filled with water or other liquids that they will gradually dissolve. This could be hazardous to your pet's health. (from Dr. Michael Fox's column in the NY post) DO NOT BY STAINLESS FROM CHINA - note: Stainless steel bowls from Petco - recall - RADIATiON! - http://www.petco.com/petco_page_pc_stainlessbowlnotice.aspx


Painted Ceramic Bowls can be dangerous leaking lead toxins into your pets food or water. This is a tip for PEOPLE TOO! Best to use WHITE or clear glass. Never 'colors'! If the OUTSIDE of the bowl is color it's fine but not the INSIDE. Even if 'glazed' the lead or toxins from paint and colors can get into the food and water. Lead is found also found in the fired on glaze. If you want to eliminate the possibility of having lead glaze--buy bowls that are not glazed.
Glass plates, cups, etc. that do not have any painted or decal-like decorating will not have lead.
Stoneware which is heavy and has a low shine is usually coated with a non-lead material. If the dishes have painted or decal-like decorations, or a bright glossy glaze there is the potential for lead. The low shine, non painted, no decal stoneware dishes are almost as lead-free as glass.
There is china that is glossy but made with lead free glazes and pigments. Ask the seller and if they don't know call the manufacturer.

High Risk Items:

Old China - Handed down from previous generations. Be sure to test any cracked or chipped areas.
Homemade or Handcrafted China - From U.S. or abroad, check to see if the manufacturer uses lead-free glaze or high temperature, commercial type firing practices.
Highly Decorated Multi-Colored "Inside" Surfaces - High levels of lead are typically found in brightly colored glazes.
Decorations on Top of the Glaze - Can you feel the decoration when you rub your fingers on the surface? Can you see the brush strokes showing that decoration was painted on?
Corroded Glaze - A dusty or chalky residue on the glaze after the piece has been washed. This is extremely dangerous and should never be used to serve food in or drink.
Do not

• Store food or drink in a lead-containing ceramic pitcher or bowl.
• Store highly acidic foods in questionable china.
• Questionable pieces of china should not be used in your everyday routine
• Questionable pieces should not be heated in the microwave oven because the heat can accelerate the lead leaching process.
  
  

Since her last grooming she has been chewing in several places and causing large ugly "hot spots".  I think she is allergic to the whitening stuff they use and previously I had asked them to stop using it since I noticed she was itching a lot after grooming.  That helped and there have been no problems until this last grooming when I asked them to use it once more because she was looking a bit dingy, and also I thought it would prove whether or not it was this stuff causing the problem.

Well, she has been itching and as I said, chewing in different places.  One on her front paw, one on one of her rear paws, and one on her chest just above a front leg where I thought she couldn't possibly reach!  This morning I found another scabby healed spot at the top behind one of her ears.

Anyway, Saturday night just before we went to bed, I decided to put something on her leg to possibly discourage her from chewing on it and also that would help heal it or prevent infection.  I found some Americaine antibacterial spray in my medicine closet and thought that would be good.  STUPIDLY, I didn't read the label.  It contains 20% benzocaine and says it shouldn't be ingested.

Of course, after I was asleep, she continued to chew the spot.  When I woke up in the morning she was sleeping on my pillows above my head.  I reached up to pet her head and first thing I discovered was the pillow was wet like she had been drooling a lot.  Then when I looked, her gums were not white (which I know is a bad sign), but pretty pale pink.  (This is what happened once when I first got her and she got into some chocolate).  Then I started thinking and went and read the label and knew it was from that.

I called the emergency animal hospital who weren't much help.  I called the Poison Control Center who also weren't too much help but said that it sounded like Methemoglobinemia and the antidote should be given within one hour of ingestion to be effective.  Of course, it had already been ten or more hours.

The poison control center also told me that she could be vomiting and have diarrhea and be lethargic.  She was none of those things and seemed perfectly happy and energetic except for the drooling and pale gums.  My third call to the poison control center a different lady told me that this wouldn't cause pale gums, but rather BLUE gums.  Well, they certainly weren't blue.

The brand name on the one I have is AMERICAINE.  Above that it says "Hospital Formula".  Beneath the Americaine it says "Benzocaine Topical Anesthetic Spray".  Below that it says "Maximum Strength 20% Benzocaine".   Below that it says "stops the pain and itch fast.  For minor cuts, scrapes, burns and sunburns.

The ingredients label says:  ACTIVE INGREDIENT:  Benzocaine 20% OTHER INGREDIENTS:  Isobutane (propellant).  Polyethylene glycol 300, propane (propellant).

The label also says:  Warnings:  For external use only.  Avoid contact with the eyes.  If condition worsens, or if symptoms persist  for more than 7 days, or clear up and occur again within a few days, discontinue use and  consult a physician.  KEEP THIS AND ALL DRUGS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.  In case of accidental ingestion, seek professional assistance or contact  a poison control center immediately.

Again, it is the Benzocaine ingredient that causes the problem.  I would imagine anything containing Benzocaine or anything ending with "caine" would be a problem.
_________________________________________

Protecting your animal companion from the dangers she could face outdoors begins in your own backyard. Could your pet be facing enemy territory every time she steps outside? By taking the following simple, but important, precautions, you can ensure that your backyard is always a safe haven. The first line of defense is an escape-proof fence. It should be high and sturdy. If there are any gaps under your gates or hedges, you may need to use fine wire-mesh at ground level to keep your dog from crawling or digging his way out.


Letting your cat explore outdoors is recommended only if you are there to supervise her in a well-fenced-in area. A sudden loud noise, or simply seeing a dog walk by, may cause her to bolt-which could end in heartbreak, especially if you live near a busy road or highway. To keep your feline in the yard, you can purchase a cat-proof add-on for your fence.

You'll also need to conduct a plant check. Many garden plants and trees can be harmful to pets if ingested. Some of these include holly, rhododendron, lily-of-the-valley, yew, clematis, ivy, columbine and hemlock. Some species may be more, or less, toxic to dogs than cats, so it's a good idea to find out if a tree or flower is safe for your pet before you plant it. Also remember to keep flower bulbs out of reach of curious dogs and cats. (Click here for a complete list of toxic plants)

To prevent your pet from eating something she shouldn't, make sure your garbage cans are secured with tamper-proof lids. It's a good idea to keep them in a cupboard or shed. Insecticides and rodenticides should be kept in a locked shed or garage; this goes for paint, oil, gasoline, other dangerous chemicals and sharp tools as well. And remember to use common sense if you have just applied weed killer to your lawn or other toxic chemical or fertilizer to the plants in your garden. Your pet could be exposed to these potentially harmful substances simply by walking through an area where these products have been applied and then licking his paws.

And antifreeze, while essential to a car's cooling system, may be very dangerous to your pets if they are exposed to it. Be sure to clean up any spills from your vehicle immediately, and consider switching to a propylene glycol-based antifreeze such as Prestone Low Tox, which provides an added margin of safety for pets and wildlife. Prestone Low Tox is significantly less toxic than conventional ethylene glycol antifreeze, but remember - no antifreeze is absolutely safe. As with any household chemical, safe use and disposal of antifreeze is essential.

If you suspect your dog or cat has ingested poisonous plant material, antifreeze, insecticide or other dangerous chemicals, call your veterinarian or have your operator call the poison control center.