![\"autumn](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Untitled-design-2022-09-08T131305.643.png\")
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If your pet is experiencing respiratory distress or seizures caused by a toxin or persistent non-productive retching, these are considered \u201cRED\u201d \u2013 or true emergencies \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage system. We advise you to seek immediate veterinary care. Please call ahead of your arrival so the veterinary team knows to expect you! <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n If you witnessed or strongly suspect your pet ate or was topically exposed to a toxin, these are considered \u201cORANGE \u201d \u2013 or urgent cases \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage system. We recommend calling ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 for help determining if your pet consumed a toxic amount and for guidance on what to do next. If veterinary care is advised, call your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital ahead of your arrival.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Please see our Fast Track Triage chart at the end of this blog for more symptoms and their corresponding triage color codes.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s<\/span> autumn! From<\/span> back<\/span>–<\/span>to<\/span>–<\/span>school to mushroom foraging to <\/span>picking <\/span>pumpkin<\/span>s and <\/span>apples – there is a lot to <\/span>enjoy<\/span> in<\/span> autumn! <\/span>But<\/span> ther<\/span>e are <\/span>also <\/span>seasonal<\/span> chores like winterizing vehicles and prepping for the cold. So, what <\/span>potential pet toxins and hazards should pet parents be on the lookout for? <\/span>Here is<\/span> our list of ten!\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n ‘Tis the season for <\/span>baking<\/span><\/a> and cooking! Unfortunately, many favorite fall ingredients are toxic to pets. The list includes <\/span>xylitol<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>chocolate<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>raisins<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Zante currants<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>macadamia nuts<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>spices<\/span><\/a> such as <\/span>nutmeg<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>alliums<\/span><\/a> like onions, garlic, and leeks. Yeast <\/span>bread dough<\/span><\/a> is also a huge concern if consumed by pets. It can cause ethanol poisoning and a life-threatening stomach twist as well. Caffeinated and <\/span>alcoholic beverages<\/span><\/a> are also toxic \u2013 including alcohol-soaked breads and cakes!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n During <\/span>Spooky Season<\/span><\/a>, keep treat bags out of your pet\u2019s reach to avoid toxic exposure to chocolate or xylitol, as well as <\/span>pancreatitis<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n From food in the trash to rotten apples at the orchard to real gourds set out as d\u00e9cor \u2013 mold can be present in a lot of places this autumn! If a pet eats anything that contains mold, they may experience <\/span>tremorgenic mycotoxin poisoning<\/span><\/a> \u2013 which varies in severity but should be evaluated by a vet immediately.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Whether in your yard or out on a hike, wild acorns and conkers (also known as Chestnut tree seeds) are toxic to pets. Acorns contain tannic acid and conkers contain aesculin. Both acorns and conkers can also cause a choking hazard or intestinal blockage if swallowed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Even if you are an expert mushroom forager, it can be difficult to identify toxic species of <\/span>mushrooms<\/span><\/a>. The potential symptoms are divided into three types \u2013 gastrointestinal (GI) upset, liver damage, and neurotoxicity. It\u2019s best to remove wild mushrooms from your yard and monitor your pet closely while hiking or foraging. Increase your fungus patrols in the days following rainstorms!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are many diverse types of plants and flowers that are toxic to pets, but during autumn, the Autumn Crocus (also known as Meadow Saffron) and Chrysanthemums (also known as mums or daisies) are more common culprits. Autumn Crocus can cause bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, organ damage, and bone marrow suppression. Chrysanthemums can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, incoordination, and dermatitis. Before bringing any plants or flowers into your home, double-check that they aren\u2019t toxic to your pets by identifying them with the <\/span>Plant Snap App<\/span><\/a> and then looking them up on <\/span>ASPCA\u2019s Toxic & Non-Toxic Plant Guide<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Essential oils<\/span><\/a> can cause allergic reactions when topically applied to pets, as well as respiratory issues when diffused (this is especially dangerous for pet birds). Additionally, there are several essential oils that are toxic to pets: Pennyroyal Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Wintergreen, Pine Oil, cinnamon, clove, sweet birch, thyme, and Ylang Ylang.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Whether or not you have a student in your home, many supplies can be hazardous to pets. Wooden pencils and splinters can get lodged into the mouth, throat, or intestines. Art supplies with the CL (Cautionary Labeling) Seal are toxic, and so are Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) products such as three-ring binders, planners, and notebooks with colored plastic. View more potential school supply hazards <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Autumn is often the time for last-minute home projects before winter comes. For those who use <\/span>Gorilla Glue<\/span><\/a>, always keep your pets in a separate room until you have finished the project and put it away. When swallowed by pets, Gorilla Glue reacts with the esophageal and stomach fluids, rapidly expanding to 3-4 times its original volume, and then hardening into a foam-like, fitted, indigestible mass called a cyano-bezoar. Once ingested, even seemingly insignificant amounts can lead to GI obstructions.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While winterizing vehicles, be careful where you store <\/span>antifreeze<\/span><\/a> (ethylene glycol). Antifreeze smells and tastes sweet due to the alcohol content, so curious pets may lap up spills or chew on bottles. Antifreeze is especially dangerous because even tiny amounts can cause severe and permanent kidney damage if consumed by your pet.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Often, homeowners use <\/span>rodenticides<\/span><\/a> in the house or garage \u2013 but for pet-friendly homes, it\u2019s crucial to keep pets away from areas where rodenticides are used or stored. Anti-coagulant, neurotoxin, cholecalciferol (activated Vitamin D3), and zinc phosphide are the most common types of rodenticides, and they can each cause potentially fatal symptoms such as internal and external bleeding, brain and spinal cord swelling, and organ damage leading to organ failure.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Human medications <\/span>are one of the most common pet emergencies all year-round. With kids back in school, be extra careful with those <\/span><\/span>flu and cold medications<\/span><\/span><\/a> around the house<\/span>, as well as any medications stored in a backpack or bag such as pain relievers, ADHD medications, and inhalers.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We hope you and your pets have a fun yet safe autumn season! If your pet does need veterinary care and your family veterinarian is unavailable, both our Oakdale and St. Paul ERs are open 24\/7, every day of the year. Always call ahead of your arrival.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n![\"human](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Untitled-design-2022-09-08T131444.085.png\")
<\/p>\n1. Human Foods<\/h4>\n
![\"compost](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Untitled-design-2022-09-08T131857.065.png\")
<\/p>\n2. Mold\/Mycotoxin Poisoning <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"acorns,](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Untitled-design-2022-09-08T131928.784.png\")
<\/p>\n3. Acorns and Conkers<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"wild](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Untitled-design-2022-09-08T131805.115.png\")
<\/p>\n4. Wild Mushrooms <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"autumn](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Untitled-design-2022-09-08T131842.182.png\")
<\/p>\n5. Plants<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"cat,](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Untitled-design-2022-09-08T131553.044.png\")
<\/p>\n6. Potpourri and Essential Oils<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"school](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Untitled-design-2022-09-08T132019.646.png\")
<\/p>\n7. School Supplies<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"gorilla](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Untitled-design-2022-09-08T140459.385.png\")
<\/p>\n8. Gorilla Glue <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"antifreeze,](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Untitled-design-2022-09-08T132110.101.png\")
<\/p>\n9. Antifreeze<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"rodenticides,](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Untitled-design-2022-09-08T132205.494.png\")
<\/p>\n10. Rodenticides<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"cold](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Untitled-design-2022-09-08T132309.330.png\")
<\/p>\nBonus:<\/strong> <\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"autumn](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Untitled-design-2022-09-08T131720.619.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Janine](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/BLOG-Author-Block-17.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Animal](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Fast-Track-Triage-for-Clients-Facebook-Post-7.png\")
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