Keep animals safe from poison

Virtually every pet owner knows not to feed a dog chocolate or that ingesting lilies can be fatal to a cat, but there are many other hazards in a home that can be equally dangerous.

As the recent pet food poisoning tragedy has demonstrated, pets can be poisoned no matter how careful an owner is with them, even if they never leave the house. Veterinary Pet Insurance received nearly 1,000 claims last year alone for dogs suffering from drug reactions and toxicity, ranking in the top 100 types of claims submitted.

To be prepared for such an accident, it is important to know the signs of poisoning in a pet. As with many illnesses, a change in normal behavior is the No. 1 sign that something is wrong. Does the pet appear drowsy or uncomfortable? Is the pet experiencing vomiting, diarrhea or excessive urination? It can be as subtle as a change in breathing.

"It is critical that people pay very close attention to their pet's normal routines and daily patterns, so that they will notice if there is a change in that behavior," said Dr. Carol McConnell, a veterinarian and chief medical officer at Veterinary Pet Insurance. "If you suspect that your pet has been poisoned, immediately take your pet to the veterinarian."

Here is a list of other signs that a pet may have been poisoned:

•Unusual salivation or drooling

•Strange odors on the breath or skin

•Unsteady walk or movements, including tremors

•Disorientation or overreaction to light and sound

•Changes in gum color to blue or pale or bright red, or burn marks on the gum.

For additional information on pet poisoning, including a list of common toxic plants and other household items, as well as what to should do if a pet has been poisoned, visit the website www.petinsurance.com.

This story is provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.