![[curious cat]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/pc-wismer-meds-260x157.jpg)
Or make emergency veterinary visit They say curiosity killed the cat, and it gets dogs into some bad situations as well. Curiosity often leads to disaster when pets find their way to human medications such as NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and at-home chemotherapy. Dr. Tina Wismer, the medical director for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and...
![[dog in front of decorated tree]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/pc-biehl-holiday-260x157.jpg)
Dangers Lurk in Lights, Plants, More What you think of as holiday décor just might look like playthings to your pets. “Animals will investigate anything new in their environment,” says Dr. Michael Biehl, a veterinary toxicologist at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. “They explore things with their mouth, which can get them...
![[dog scratching in backyard]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/pc-july-fleas1-260x157.jpg)
What Pet Owners Need to Know The FDA recently alerted the pet-owning and veterinary public about the potential for neurologic adverse events in dogs and cats treated with drugs that are in the isoxazoline class. Most dogs and cats receiving these medications have not had neurologic adverse reactions. What medications are involved in this...
![[Kristen Keller and Leo]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/pc-keller-bird-toxins-260x157.jpg)
These items are toxic to birds Bird owners, beware ! Three common household toxins—TeflonTM, avocado, and heavy metals—present deadly dangers to your feathered friends, according to Dr. Krista Keller, a veterinary specialist in zoological medicine. Dr. Keller, who sees exotic pets at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, advises bird owners to...
When Halloween comes, adults and kids alike enjoy the chance to dress up and eat more candy than usual. But the American Animal Hospital Association recommends being mindful of pets’ FEAR—food, environment, attire, and recovery—to keep pets safe and happy. Food Many people know that chocolate is toxic for pets. As little as one ounce of baking chocolate...
![[protect pets from toxins]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/pc-toxins-wismer-260x157.jpg)
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 - pathology slide]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/pc-sprandel-necropsy-260x157.jpg)
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 inhalation]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pc-smoke-llewellyn-260x157.jpg)
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...
![[dog on a purse - xylitol]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/pc-xylitol-wismer-260x157.jpg)
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?...
![[horse grazing]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/pc-equine-pasture-260x157.jpg)
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...