Spring

Herbicides and Insecticides

It’s that time of year when most of you are busy tilling and planting your vegetable gardens or preparing your yard for the summer months.  Many of you will be using insecticides, plant and garden fertilizers, weed killers and gasoline products, all of  which can be harmful to your pet’s health.

Ensure you read all instructions and health hazards that come with the product you are using prior to use. You will want to make sure you observe the proper wait time after spraying your grass or plants in the yard before allowing your pet to play on it.  Many of these chemicals can adhere to your pet’s paws and they may lick it off and ingest the chemical causing gastrointestinal or other severe health problems.

Plants Around the House

Some of the most common plants that should be kept away from your pet can include but are not limited to:

Lily of the Valley        Oleander                Azalea               Yew           Foxglove

Rhododendron           Kalanchoe              Rhubarb Leaves                  Shamrock

Sago Palms                Fungi                     Mushrooms                          Philodendron

Corn Plant                 Castor Bean           Mother-in-Law’s Tongue     Hibiscus

Hydrangea

Hazards from these plants can cause a range of health problems to include:

Heart problems, Kidney failure, Liver damage and other related problems.

Paints and Solvents

If swallowed, or contact with the skin is made, paints and solvents can cause severe irritation or even chemical burns. Many house paints may produce severe stomach upset or additional health hazards to your pet.  Be sure to properly store all hazardous material away from the reach of your pet.  While actively using a chemical, make sure pets are not in the work area.  It only takes a second for a curious animal to get into trouble!

If you suspect that your pet has ingested or come in contact with any poison, you will want to have the box, or container that came with the poison so you can give the Poison Control Center the correct information on the hazardous material.  If you take your pet to a veterinary hospital try to bring the container with you so the medical staff can ascertain what ingredients are in the hazardous material.    Animal Poison Hotline 1-888-232-8870