- Online vets
- Pet health knowledge
- Toxic ingestion
Toxic ingestion
Ptyalism is excessive drooling. The symptom is associated with a wide variety of conditions, such as oral or esophageal inflammation, tumors in or around the mouth, foreign objects stuck in the mouth, stress, and poisoning.
· 3 min readAtaxia describes abnormal movement control of the limbs and body. Dogs with ataxia present with poor coordination while walking, loss of balance, and often appear dizzy.
· 2 min readCyanosis in dogs is the blue to purple discoloration of mucous membranes (particularly gums) and/or skin caused by poor oxygenation of the tissues. Cyanosis is a medical emergency as it is linked to potentially life-threatening heart and respiratory system conditions
· 2 min readMacadamia nut poisoning in dogs is caused by ingestion of a toxic dose of macadamia nuts. No other species of companion animals appear to suffer from this kind of toxicosis.
· 3 min readCholecalciferol or vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble steroid needed to absorb a number of chemicals and phosphates. Ingestion of rodent poison and vitamins high in Vit D3 content are the most common causes of vitamin D3 toxicosis in dogs.
· 5 min readPolydipsia in cats is a noticeable increase in thirst. Cats who drink in excess of 100 milliliters of water for every kilogram of body weight (approx 1.5oz per lb) are considered polydipsic.
· 4 min readLimping, also known as lameness, is when a dog is walking abnormally, unevenly, or with difficulty.
· 3 min readNSAID poisoning in cats describes the serious condition where cats ingest a toxic dose of Non-Steroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
· 6 min readDyspnea is difficulty breathing. In horses, it is characterized by an increased effort to breathe, usually evident in the character, rate, and rhythm of respiration.
· 3 min readZinc is commonly found in household metal objects, as well as in batteries, vitamin supplements, paints, and certain ointments (e.g. sunscreen and diaper rash cream).
· 5 min readPale gums are when the normal pink color of the gums turns pale or white, usually due to a serious underlying health problem.
· 3 min readEthylene glycol, commonly found in antifreeze, is found in a wide variety of household products and is toxic to cats and dogs.
· 4 min readJaundice, also known as icterus, is yellowing of the skin, gums and whites of the eyes. Horses showing jaundice require prompt veterinary assessment, as causes range from not eating to liver dysfunction or excessive breakdown of red blood cells
· 2 min readGrape toxicosis is poisoning caused by the ingestion of a toxic dose of grapes, raisins, or currants.
· 4 min readEating dry or wilted red maple leaves is poisonous for horses, leading to life threatening toxicosis. Storms, high winds, and autumn all result in more leaves on the ground, and it is important to not allow a horse to graze in any place where red maple leaves may fall
· 4 min readBlue gums are the most noticeable symptom of cyanosis. Cyanosis is the blue or purple discoloration of mucous membranes or skin caused by poor oxygenation.
· 2 min readNystagmus is the involuntary, erratic movement of the eyes, generally caused by conditions affecting the cat’s nervous or vestibular (balance) system
· 2 min readNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) toxicosis is the ingestion of a toxic or lethal dose of a NSAID.
· 5 min readColic simply refers to pain in the abdomen, and does not provide any specific details regarding what organ system is affected or what underlying condition is occurring.
· 5 min readHead tilt refers to an abnormal posture of the head, where the head is tilted to one side with one ear lower than the other.
· 2 min readAcetaminophen toxicity is caused by the ingestion of a toxic dose of acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol.
· 4 min readRodent baits are commonly used for pest control and are similarly lethal to cats.
· 5 min readIf a dog tilts his head involuntarily or chronically, especially when along with other symptoms like ear pain or lack of balance, it may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition
· 3 min readGlow stick ingestion is an uncommon, but alarming toxicity that occurs when glow in the dark products such as sticks or jewelry are eaten by a dog.
· 3 min readCollapse in dogs is generally defined as when a dog falls and cannot get back up.
· 4 min readMushroom poisoning is rare in cats, but is potentially fatal depending on the type of mushroom ingested.
· 6 min readRodenticide poisoning in dogs is caused by ingestion of a toxic dose of rodent poison either directly or by consuming poisoned rodents.
· 5 min readPtyalism is the term for excessive drooling. All dogs drool from time to time under normal circumstances, but increased salivation is an indicator for a variety of medical problems
· 3 min readHead pressing in cats is a behavior where the cat presses its head against a wall or other inanimate object for a prolonged period without obvious awareness of its surroundings.
· 3 min readBromethalin toxicosis in dogs is caused by ingestion of a toxic dose of bromethalin-based rodent poison.
· 5 min read