cation. We will let you know if it is safe or not.

I hope this information gives you a better understanding of pet poisoning. There is a national Animal Poison Control Center available for pet owners. Their telephone number is 888-4ANIHELP (note this is not a free call). Their web address is www.napcc.aspca.org. We found a lot of good information on the Internet about animal poisoning, and have derived a list of com- mon toxic plants. If you would like a list, call us or come by our office. The number one thing to remember about poison is that if you suspect your pet has eaten something they shouldn't have, don't wait. Call us immedi- ately. Your pet may be fine, but timing is very critical in poisoning cases.

Our pets are not just animals anymore, but part of our family. They can be our protectors, or our hunting and personal companions. Pets bring joy to our life (well, except when they tear up everything in the house). People are doing more and more to improve their pets' health. In this article, we want to discuss some common poisons. There is not enough space to discuss all the poisonous items and the problems they cause. Instead we will give you a basic insight into animal poisons. There are five sections of animal poisons that will be discussed: indoor and outdoor chemicals; plants; rodenticides; food; and medications. Please keep in mind that the toxic dosage depends on weight and species.

Many households have a variety of indoor and outdoor chemicals used for specific jobs. Some examples of household chemicals are: dish washing liquids; house- hold cleaners; (drain cleaners, disinfectants, kitchen cleaners); paint and paint thinners; pesticides; and weed killers. These products can cause skin irritation or burns or if ingested gastrointestinal upset. The severity depends on the chemical and the amount. Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is another chemical that can be fatal to your pet. Its sweet smell attracts pets, and when ingest- ed, the central nervous system is disrupted and the kidneys can fail. There are many types of flea control on the market now. The safest and most effective, "Advantage," can be purchased only at a vet's office. There are store brands that mimic it, but they are not the same. If you buy a store brand type flea control, please read the instructions carefully

and use the proper dosage. Cats and dogs react to drugs in very different ways, so don't use dog flea control on cats; it could make your cat very sick.

Every spring and fall people decorate and landscape their houses with various plants and flowers. Pet owners should be very careful about what they plant. Some plants are toxic to pets. Some to be aware of are: Japanese yew; English ivy; and azaleas. There are many other plants that are toxic to pets, so research your plants before planting them. Remember that the toxicity depends on the amount of plant matter eaten and/or the type of plant eaten. A good rule of thumb is to treat all plants as if they are toxic (especially house plants). Keep them out of reach from your pets.

Many people put out rodenticides to kill mice and rats and every year many pets die from eating these poisons. If you put traps in your house, garage, or barn, make sure to keep them out of your pets' reachm and keep your pets away from that area. If your neighbors have pets, let them know that the traps are out, so they can take the proper precautions to prevent their pets from being poisoned. There are two types of edible traps we will discuss. The first con- tains an anticoagulant. These chemicals pre- vent the blood from clotting, so it may take a few days before the rodent dies. Your pet may look normal (even after a couple of days), however, your pet could die from severe internal bleeding (a simple cut or bruise can cause them harm). Other types of rodenticides contain chemicals that effect the brain and

central nervous sys- tem, and cause seizures and/or cardiac arrest. If a dog or cat eats the trap, it is extremely important to call or take your pet to a vet right away. We need to start therapy to coun- teract the poison im- medately.

Many pet owners think that human food will not harm their pet, but some human foods can be toxic to pets. Foods such as chocolate (es- pecially baker's choco- late), yeast dough, salty foods, coffee, onions and green parts in tomato and potato, if eaten in specific a- mounts, can cause problems for your pet. The list is definitely not complete. A good rule of thumb is that human food is not healthy for your pet. Many types of food can upset your pet's stomach, not to mention that they are not getting nutrients they need. Trash can be contaminated with bacteria and can cause severe gastrointestinal upset to pets if eaten. If too much of the bacterial toxins are absorbed, your pet could go into shock and die. Keep all trash well contained and away from your pets. Good trash containment will also keep raccoons and other stray animals out of your trash.

Many people think that what they take for pain can be given to their pet. WRONG. Common pain medications can kill your pet. You don't want to learn the hard way. Please DO NOT give pets any type of medication without talking to your vet. Here are just a few pain medications that you should not give your pet: "Tylenol;" "Aleve;" and "Motrin." They could cause gastric problems and in many cases death. Please call us before giving your pet any type of medi-