Animals are poisoned by most of the same chemicals that poison people. A good rule of thumb is that if the chemical will make you sick it will also make your pet sick.

When using chemicals, read the label and follow the directions. If you think your pet ingested something from a container, save the container and have it with you when you ask for help. If the material is poisonous, the antidote is often listed on the container.

When using drugs, be sure to use the correct dosage. If you are unsure, call your veterinarian. Also, drugs that are safe in people and dogs may result in death when used in cats. Again, if you are unsure, call your veterinarian for advice.

Birds are more sensitive to air pollutants than people. In the old days miners would take canaries into the mines with them to monitor the air quality. When the canaries began having difficulty breathing or died, it was a signal to the miners that the air was bad and to get out in a hurry.

POISONS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT

Strychnine is one of the most common fatal poisoning diagnosed in dogs. Strychnine is a commonly used rodenticide. It is also used in gopher baits. Domestic animals must be excluded from areas where rodent baits are placed.

Anti-Freeze Ethylene glycol (anti-freeze) is the most common fatal poisoning diagnosed in cats. Most cases are seen in the fall and winter. Anti-freeze has a sweet taste that many species of animals like.

Avocado leaves Cases of avocado poisoning are seen periodically in Los Angeles County animals. Commercial production of avocados is located primarily in southern California and Florida. Two types of avocados are grown in California (Mexican and Guatemalan) and toxicity varies. Toxicity may also vary depending upon the time of year and other factors that are poorly understood. Various species of animals are susceptible to avocado poisoning. Dried avocado seed can kill mice.

Oleander A common ornamental evergreen shrub in Los Angeles County can kill animals that eat it. The plant contains a poison that acts on the heart. Do not feed Oleander trimmings to animals. Do not allow horses and livestock access to Oleander plants.

Yellow star thistle This weed is a special problem for horses in California. In the late summer and fall when the pasture is dry from lack of rainfall, horses may eat the weed if they are not supplemented with extra hay or forage. Consumption of large amounts of the seed over a period of time is essential for toxicity.

Moldy feed Moldy feed (cereals, grains, meals, pelleted diets, hay) often contains toxins produced by molds or fungi. These poisons often damage the liver and can produce a sudden illness when large amounts are consumed or produce a gradual, but often fatal, disease. Deaths have occurred in horses fed moldy corn or hay.

Polymer Fume-Fever Bird owners should be aware of problems associated with using non-stick polymer coated pots and pans to boil water. Boiling water in non-stick cookware is especially hazardous because if the pan boils dry, the temperature rises resulting in the emission of toxic fumes. Birds are particularly sensitive to these toxic fumes, signs of toxicosis can occur within 30 seconds after exposure and death within 3 minutes. Disease can occur in other animals, including people, when exposure is prolonged. Most foods will smoke and burn before polymer fumes are emitted, alerting people to potential danger

Aspirin One adult aspirin given to a cat can kill. Check with your veterinarian before giving aspirin to your cat.

Acetaminophen, another common drug used for pain, should not be given to cats.

Chocolate Dogs, like many people, like chocolate. But unlike humans, chocolate can be poisonous to our canine companions. Just one ounce of baking chocolate or a chocolate bar can be life threatening to your pet. The amount of chocolate that is toxic to a pet is directly proportioned to the weight of the animal. Dogs reactions to chocolate can include vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, coma and death. Other side effects include irregular heartbeat, hyperactivity, tremors, frequent urination, and restlessness. If you suspect that your pet has eaten chocolate, contact your veterinarian immediately. Time is of the essence in your pet's recovery from chocolate poisoning. For the safety of your pet, don't give him or her any chocolate especially when there are so many other nutritious treats to give your pet.

Houseplants Flowers and plants are beautiful and add so much to our homes and yards. But, did you know many common houseplants and flowers may be hazardous to your pet? Here is a list of just some of the many poisonous flowers and plants:

Aloe Vera, Amaryllis, Andromeda japonica, Apple (seeds and wilting leaves) Apple Leaf Croton, Asparagus Fern, Autumn Crocus, Azalea, Baby's Breath, Bird of Paradise, Birdnest sansovioria, Bittersweet, Branching Ivy, Buckeye, Buddhist Pine, Caladium, Calla Lily, Carnation, Castor Bean, Ceriman, Cherry (seeds and wilting leaves), Chinaberry Tree (berries, bark, leaves, flowers), Chinese Evergreen, Christmas cactus, Christmas Rose, Chrysanthemum, Cineraria, Clematis, Coleus, Cordatum, Corn Plant, Cornstalk Plant, Croton, Cuban Laurel, Cycads, Cyclamen, Daffodil, Daisy, Day Lily (cats), Dracaena, Dragon Tree, Dumb Cane (all types), Easter Lily (especially cats), Elaine, Elephant Ears, Emerald Feathers, English Ivy, Fiddle-leaf Fig, Flamingo Plant, Florida Beauty, Foxglove, Geranium, German Ivy, Glacier Ivy, Glory Lily, Golden Pothos, Hahn's Self-Branching English Ivy, Heavenly Bamboo, Hibiscus, Holly, Hosta, Hurricane Plant, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Indian Laurel, Indian Rubber Plant, Iris, Japanese Show Lily (especially cats), Jade Plant, Jerusalem Cherry, Kalanchoe (Panda Bear Plant), Lily of the Valley, Macadamia nut, Madagascar Dragon Tree, Marble Queen, Marijuana, Mexican Breadfruit, Miniature Croton, Mistletoe, Morning Glory, Mother-in-Law's Tongue, Narcissus, Needlepoint Ivy, Nephthytis, Nightshade, Norfolk Pine, Onion, Oriental Lily (especially cats), Peace Lily, Peach (wilting leaves and pits), Pencil Cactus, Philodendron, Plumosa Fern, Poinsettia (low toxicity), Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Pothos, Precatory Bean, Primrose (Primula), Red Emerald, Red Lily (especially cats), Red Princess, Rhododendron, Ribbon Plant, Rubrum Lily (especially cats), Sago Palm, Satin Pothos, Schefflera, Silver Pothos, Stargazer Lily (especially cats), String of Pearls/Beads, Sweet Pea, Sweetheart Ivy, Swiss Cheese Plant, Taro Vine, Tiger Lily (especially cats), Tomato Plant (green fruit, stem & leaves), Tulip, Variegated Rubber Plant, Wandering Jew, Weeping Fig, Western Lily (especially cats), Wood Lily (especially cats), Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Yew, Yucca.

Bones Turkey and chicken bones are particular favorites, especially during the holiday season. But these bones easily splinter and should not be given to pets. Bone splinters can puncture an animal's gastrointestinal tract causing serious internal injury which can result in the death of your pet. If you suspect that your pet has ingested turkey or chicken bones, contact your veterinarian right away.

Your Lawn Can Harm Your Pet

A study by the National Cancer Institute found that dogs in homes where lawns were treated four or more times a year with 2,4,-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid (2,4-D), a commonly used weed killer, were twice as likely to develop malignant lymphoma (a form of cancer that attacks the immune system) as dogs in homes, where herbicides were not used. (The risk to humans is being studied.) To reduce the risk to your dog, use lawn pesticides only when absolutely necessary -- never as a preventive measure. Follow product label directions to the letter. Keep pets (and people) off the grass until it’s dry or for the period specified by the manufacturer. After a few days the herbicide is absorbed by plants and broken down by sunlight. Until then, limit access to the treated area.