Pet Columns

What to Do When Your Pet Gets into Household Toxins

Jun 12, 2017 / Emergency/Critical Care / Toxicology / Cats / Dogs

Not sure if it’s toxic? Assume it is. Life would be much easier if pets could read the words “Warning!” or “Toxic!” on product labels. Then we wouldn’t have to worry when a chocolate bar or pack of gum goes missing. But until your pet learns to read, you should learn what to do in...

Necropsies Solve Mystery of Animal Deaths

May 7, 2017 / Diagnostic Laboratory / Disease / Public Health / Toxicology

Necropsies, the equivalent of human autopsies In every murder mystery, there is a scene where the coroner interprets markings, bruises, and injuries on the dead body to estimate a time and cause of death. What most people don’t know is that a similar process occurs in veterinary medicine. Necropsies, the equivalent of human autopsies, are...

Smoke Alarm: Dangers of Smoke Inhalation for Pets

Mar 20, 2017 / Emergency/Critical Care / Toxicology / Cats / Dogs

Animals exposed to smoke need immediate care Visible injuries such as burns and scrapes are not the only health concerns for a pet involved in a fire. Though not obvious to the eye, exposure to smoke can cause serious consequences, according to Dr. Efa Llewellyn, one of the board-certified emergency and critical care specialists at...

X is for Xylitol, Deadly for Dogs

Jan 30, 2017 / Emergency/Critical Care / Toxicology / Dogs

To prevent xylitol toxicity, read labels Of course you aren’t going to offer your dog a stick of sugar-free gum! But did you know that xylitol, a sugar alcohol that is toxic to dogs, can be found not only in many brands of gum but also in other household items, from toothpaste to peanut butter?...

Lush Green Grass May Be Harmful to Horses

Apr 12, 2016 / General Care / Toxicology / Horses

Grass founder and fescue toxicity are problems Spring is here, and the plants are new and fresh. The pretty, lush grasses that green the countryside in April and May are young, tender, and very tasty for a horse. Unfortunately, these young grasses are also low in the fiber that horses need and are high in...

Cases of Marijuana Intoxication in Pets Get Higher

Oct 5, 2015 / Toxicology / Cats / Dogs

As of November 2014, four states had approved the use of marijuana as a recreational drug, and it appears that marijuana is becoming more widely accepted across the nation. Not surprisingly, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has seen an increase in the number of reported cases of pets eating pot: 539 calls about marijuana...