Since 2018, the Pet Poison Helpline has been tracking Toxin Trends by state and making them publicly available. The data are derived from cases called into the organization. In Ohio, you can see that dogs represent the top species encountered at this hotline.
Top 20 Pet Toxins in Ohio Explained
Here’s the graph for the pet toxins that are most commonly the culprit for calls to the helpline. (Remember, dogs represent 90% of these cases).
Some of these items are well-known, like chocolate. Others seem obscure, like #2 on the list, bromethalin. Let’s explore each a little further.
Carprofen: This veterinary anti-inflammatory pain medication also made it to the top 10 list last year. It’s important to follow dosage instructions given by your veterinarian.
Amphetamine combos and methylphenidate: Includes common ADHD medications, along with illicit drugs like ecstasy.
Beta-blockers: Common human heart medications.
Acetaminophen: Common over-the-counter human pain reliever and fever reducer, i.e, Tylenol.
Lilies (Lilium species): True lilies, along with all flowers that look like lilies, are particularly toxic to cats. This includes every part of the plant, from flower to root.
Onions (Allium species): Includes all members of the species, like garlic, shallots, leeks and chives.
Allergy medications: Any medicine with D in the name, i.e., Claritin D or Mucinex D.
Thyroid hormone medication: Large overdoses are the main area of concern.
Cholecalciferol rotenticide: One of the most potent rat and mouse poisons, it’s activated vitamin D3.
Melatonin: Common human supplement, can be found in gummy form
Lisinopril (Zestril): One of the ACE-inhibitors, which is a common heart medication in humans.
Top Symptoms of Pet Toxicity in Ohio
The Pet Poison Helpline also tracks reports of signs of toxicity that caused pet owners to reach out. There are 13 on the list, which is topped by vomiting and drowsiness.
For Emergencies, Save the Pet Poison Helpline Number
Anytime of day or night, you can reach the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. As of this writing, the fee is $85.
Here are their recommended steps if you suspect your pet is experiencing an emergency after exposure to a pet toxin.
From Unexpected (Marijuana) to Perennial (Chocolate), Here are the Most Common Pet Toxins
The Pet Poison Helpline released its Top 10 Pet Poisons for 2023, and there are some notable entries for pet parents to be on the lookout for. Here’s the list, which takes into account all species of pet.
Marijuana Toxicity in Pets
New to the list this year is marijuana. The Pet Poison Helpline reports that it’s mostly dogs who encounter this toxicity. With the passage of Ohio’s Issue 2, we expect to see more cases in our state. On December 7, it became legal to possess marijuana and grow it at home.
The Pet Poison Helpline also provides stats on the pets it serves. Of all incident calls over the year:
88% dogs
11% cats
1% other species, like birds, small mammals, large animals and exotic species
Food Toxicities
It’s not surprising that chocolate tops the list, as it’s widely-available and undeniably tasty. Grapes and raisins are of special note, because their toxicity doesn’t seem to be as well-known as other foods. The same goes for onions.
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used in many sugar-free candies, gums, desserts and recipes. We explored this pet toxin previously: Why is Xylitol Toxic for Dogs?
Medicine Toxicities
Human medicines aren’t meant for animals. Ibuprofen (Advil) is third on the list of most-common toxicities, and Vitamin D3 is a somewhat surprising addition. This list is a good reminder to keep all medicines out of reach of pets (and kids).
Veterinary medicines can also cause toxicity in the wrong dosage or if used for an extended period of time. Carprofen is a common NSAID used to treat pain and inflammation in animals, but overuse or overdose can cause toxicity. Fortunately, there are new treatments available to help with osteoarthritis pain, which we’ve written about:
It’s truly sad when a pet ingests any rat poisons. Both bromethalin and anticoagulant rat poisons make the top 10 list. Rats are mammals, just like cats and dogs, so these poisons are indiscriminately toxic. We recommend using a different form of pest control.
We recently shared information about Solensia, a monthly injectable to relieve osteoarthritis (OA) pain in cats. It’s a wonderful innovation, since medicines and therapies available to cats are often limited, because a cat’s kidneys can’t process them. If your cat’s quality of life is suffering from pain, we hope you’ll reach out to our office to learn more about Solensia.
Cats Benefit from Solensia. Librela is for Dogs
Osteoarthritis pain is also very common in dogs, especially as they age. You may notice these symptoms of OA pain in your dog:
Limping after exercise
Going slower than normal during walks
Getting up slowly from lying down
Unwillingness or inability to jump in the car or on the sofa
Moving stiffly
Difficulty with stairs
It’s hard to see our dogs in pain, but many pain relief options can have side effects on the liver and kidneys. Fortunately, Librela is a monthly injectable that the body processes like natural antibodies.
Clinical studies have shown that Librela is both safe and effective at controlling OA pain in dogs. When a dog is not in pain, they live a more active and happier life, and we really encourage you to look into this therapy.
New Innovations in Veterinary Science Improve Care for Cats
Historically, cats have not enjoyed all the veterinary medicine options available to dogs. Their kidneys simply cannot handle the same medications as their canine counterparts.
But all the conventional wisdom is changing, thanks to new research and the resulting treatments now available to cats. Solensia is a particular treatment that can control osteoarthritis pain in cats, which is a more common condition than many pet owners may know.
How to Tell if Your Cat is Affected by Arthritis
The signs of arthritis can be more subtle in cats than other animals. WebMD Pets shares this list:
“Reluctance or hesitance to jump up or down
Difficulty going up or down stairs
Limping
Stiffness in the legs, especially after resting or sleeping
Difficulty using their litter box
Irritability
Reduced levels of activity
Less time spent on their grooming
Reduced height when jumping
Hiding or sleeping more than normal”
Solensia is a Monthly Injectable to Relieve Arthritis Pain in Cats
We’re very optimistic about the monthly injectable Solensia to help cats suffering from osteoarthritis pain. Once a month, you stop by the office for your cat’s injection. As the pain subsides, your cat feels free to go back to their “normal” life– jumping, zooming, playing and climbing. From the website:
“77% of cat owners experienced seeing improvement in signs of pain when their cats were treated monthly with Solensia in a 3-month study. In a study, Solensia was shown to increase mobility in cats after a single treatment.”
Before-and-After Solensia Video
Check out this video to learn more about Solensia may help improve your pet’s quality of life.
If you’re concerned about arthritis and your cat, please reach out to us. We can start a conversation about helping your cat live a happier, pain-free life.
Check out these three activities for outdoor fun all summer long. There are plenty of date options to fit your schedule. We just love pet-friendly events!
Dogs & Doughnuts at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park
Enjoy a stroll through the 300+ acres of beautiful Pyramid Hill Sculpture park with your pup! Plus, enjoy light refreshments (like doughnuts!) and a special craft activity each date.
Price: Included with Park admission (Free for members, non-members are up to $10/person)
June 3: Joni Fleming will draw complementary caricatures of you and your pup(s)
July 1: Craft activity TBA
August 5: Craft activity TBA
October 1: Adoption event with Animal Friends Humane Society
Saturdays from 7-9:30 PM, bring your family and pets to to this Lawrenceburg, IN winery for an outdoor music festival, featuring different artists each evening. Bring a picnic and enjoy a wine tasting. Here are a few of the musical acts on the schedule:
June 3: Mark Scheper, Trop Rock, Beach Boys
June 10: Josh Wells, Acoustic Classical Country
June 17: Ethan Hopper, covers and originals
June 24: Boomerang, cello, guitar and violin trio covers 70s-90s
At the Barn Winery
4152 N Dearborn Road
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
Washington Park Dog Park: Washington Park, across from Music Hall, offers a fenced-in dog play space. It features a water feature, cement and artificial turf (so no mud!)
Sharon Woods Park: Hike beautiful trails with your leashed pet. There are plenty of wooded and lakeside areas.
Simmonds Family Dog Park: A park designed just for dogs! Four fenced-in areas for small dogs, large dogs, agility and all dogs.
“are able to provide unconditional love, emotional support, comfort, joy, and a pleasant distraction from the everyday stresses in life by allowing our pets to interact and bond with the people they meet.”
Fox19 featured canine and aquatic therapy earlier this month, diving into the research that shows the benefits of pet therapy for reducing blood pressure and heart rate. Animals also help us release endorphins, that help us feel better while reducing stress and anxiety.
Therapy pets from Pet Partners of Greater Cincinnati serve many types of communities and populations. They visit:
Schools
Hospitals
Retirement communities
Libraries
Colleges
And more
For instance, teen and tweens can interact with therapy dogs at the Covington branch of the Kenton County Public Library on Mondays in summer from 12:15 – 1:30PM.
Location to hold meetings or Therapy Team Evaluations
Donation of copy/print services for workshop handouts
Contact us about other special equipment or needs (for workshops, etc.)
Of course, you may wish to volunteer with your pet!
Pet Therapy Cincinnati: Which Animals Can Be Therapy Animals?
Many domesticated animals can become therapy pets. We have all seen therapy dogs, but also consider:
Horses
Cats
Rabbits
Goats
Llamas
Cockatoos
African gray parrots
And more!
Pet Partners of Greater Cincinnati cautions that wild or exotic animals like snakes, ferrets or lizards cannot be therapy pets.
Pet Therapy Cincinnati: Pet Therapy Guidelines
Therapy pets need to have a certain disposition, including being friendly with strangers and enjoying human touch. The animal also needs to be well-cared for and properly groomed. For dogs, specifically, there are certain obedience training guidelines:
Dogs must walk docilely on a leash, turning with their human and stopping when the human stops
Dogs need to remain calm in crowds and with loud noises
Dogs should follow basic commands like sit, lay down and stay
Dogs should come when called
Dogs need to behave around other dogs
There are many guidelines provided by Pet Partners of Greater Cincinnati. Check them out here. If you decide pet therapy is a good fit for you and your pet, enjoy serving our community in this important way!
Frogs have been around a long time— even sharing the earth with dinosaurs! In captivity, frogs can live for more than 20 years (although we don’t know how long they live in the wild).
Another fun fact… toads are types of frog! They have a warty, dry skin and shorter hind legs than species we typically call “frogs.”
And while there are over 6,000 frog species found across every continent except Antarctica, we’d like to introduce the frogs (and toads!) specific to our state.
Ohio is Home to 15 Species of Frogs & Toads
The Ohio Division of Wildlife’s Ohio Frog & Toad Calling Survey identifies four families with a total 15 species that call Ohio home. They are:
Family Pelobatidae – The Spadefoot Toads
Family Bufonidae – The “True” Toads
Family Hylidae – The Treefrogs
Family Ranidae – The “True” Frogs
Spadefoot Toads
There is one species of Spadefoot toads, the Eastern Spadefoot.
The “True Toads”
Shown above is the Eastern American Toad. The other species in the True Toad family is Fowler’s Toad.
The Treefrogs
There are six species of Treefrogs in Ohio. The one pictured is Blanchard’s Cricket Frog. The others are:
Cope’s Gray Treefrog
Gray Treefrog
Mountain Chorus Frog
Northern Spring Peeper
Western Chorus Frog
The “True Frogs”
There are also six species of True Frogs in Ohio. Above you see the American Bullfrog. Five more are:
Northern Green Frog
Pickerel Frog
Northern Leopard Frog
Southern Leopard Frog
Wood Frog
Watch & Learn More About Ohio’s Frogs
Check out this fascinating wood frog educational video from Ohio DNR.
Recently, we shared all the many reasons we are thankful for senior pets. If you’re ready to bring a senior pet home and into your heart, here are a few cats and dogs just waiting to meet you.
Learn more about some of the senior (and nearly senior cats) at the shelter. Visit the shelter website to fill out an adoption application and get their operating hours.
Beth Dutton
This domestic medium hair female is almost 8 years old. She’s been at the shelter since November of this year.
Sassy
This 11-year-old girl also came to the shelter in November 2022. She’s a black-and-white domestic long-hair who was declawed sometime during her life.
Khloe
Another of our November arrivals, she’s 11 years old, and a beautiful grey shorthair.
Bandit
This male domestic shorthair is only 7 years old. He has beautiful markings and striking, tawny eyes.
Senior Dogs at Animal Friends Humane Society
There are plenty of great senior dogs at the shelter. Here are just a few. To fill out an adoption application and learn more, visit the shelter website.
Gargamel
He’s 10 years old, brown with white paws and is a smart cookie. He knows a lot of tricks and enjoys the company of other dogs (as long as they respect his age).
Horace
This black/brown retriever mix has been a shelter resident since September. He’s 9 years old and a very sweet boy.
Lexi Jo
She’s 10 years old and looking for a relaxing home for her golden years. A red retriever/labrador mix, she’s laid back and doesn’t cause any trouble.
Gator
She’s 15 and a Boston terrier mix who is ready to mingle! She loves being outdoors and enjoys short walks.
We hope you feel a connection with one of these senior pets! They appreciate love and a stable home more than the “young pups” and can’t wait for a cuddle.
#1 Reason for Cats is Bladder/Urinary Tract Disease.
For Dogs? Skin Allergies
Nationwide offers pet health insurance to over 1 million pets in the United States. Experts at the company compiled data on the 1.35 million treatment claims made in 2021.
What they found was very helpful information on which medical conditions to keep an eye out for in both cats and dogs. And the results may surprise you.
Chief veterinary officer Dr. Jules Benson explains:
“When we talk about protecting pets from the unexpected, there can be a temptation to jump straight to big ticket items like cancer or orthopedic disease. While these are definitely situations where it’s beneficial to have pet health insurance, the idiom that ‘common things occur commonly’ runs true.”
Top 10 Medical Reasons Cats Visit the Vet
Among Nationwide-insured cats, more than 16,000 claims were made for the top medical complaint: bladder or urinary tract disease. Here are the other top 10:
Bladder/urinary tract disease
Chronic kidney disease
Vomiting/upset stomach
Dental disease
Diarrhea/intestinal upset
Excessive thyroid hormone
Diabetes
Ear infection
Upper respiratory infection
Skin allergies
Top 10 Medical Reasons Dogs Visit the Vet
For Nationwide-insured dogs, skin allergies have topped the list for 10 years. In 2021, there were more than 335,000 claims made for this condition. The other top 10 are:
Skin allergies
Ear infection
Diarrhea/intestinal upset
Vomiting/upset stomach
Non-cancerous skin mass
Skin infections
Inflammation/ infection of anal sacs
Arthritis
Dental disease
Bladder infection
There’s considerable overlap between the top 10 lists for both cats and dogs, and some unique maladies on each list. Fortunately, as Dr. Benson pointed out, the most common health problems are minor and successfully treatable with the right veterinary care.
How to Keep an Eye Out for Common Medical Conditions
It’s useful to know the typical signs and symptoms of common medical conditions that may affect your pet. Our resource library is a good place to start. Here are a few articles we recommend.
And the best news? Almost of all of these conditions can be detected, prevented or treated through annual wellness exams. Regular check-ups catch small problems before they become big problems. And that’s a big benefit for both you and your pet.
With National Dog Day on August 26 and INTERnational Cat Day on August 8, this month really shows how much people love their pets. And for good reasons! Along with all the love, joy and companionship our pets bring, research shows:
Pets help human mental health
Pets help human physical health
Pets are all-around good for us! Check out these amazing facts.
Pets and People: Mental Health
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognizes “The Power of Pets.” Various research shows that spending time with your pet decreases cortisol levels (the stress-inducing hormone). At the same time, interacting with your pet is shown to elevate oxytocin, serotonin, prolactin and dopamine (hormones involved in enhancing moods and feelings of happiness).
Here’s how these hormone changes affect mental health:
Reduce stress
Reduce loneliness
Help with anxiety and depression
Increase feelings of social support
Boost moods
Improves a person’s sense of purpose
Pets and People: Physical Health
From our infancy to our old age, pets can help improve our physical health, too. Here are just a few things research has uncovered:
Time with a pet can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, which is good for your heart
Caring for a pet requires increased physical activity, especially if you’re walking a dog a couple times per day
Some research shows that a child’s immune system can be improved by having a pet in infancy.
More research shows a child is 33% less likely to develop allergies when having a pet in the home
And Let’s Not Forget Service Animals
Service animals certainly improve the health and abilities of many humans. August also recognizes International Assistance Dog Week from the 2nd-8th.
Our article, “See Service Dogs in Action,” shows videos of service dogs helping people struggling with blindness, diabetes and autism.
And, Of Course, Pets Need Us, Too
Humans domesticated dogs up to 40,000 years ago. Cats domesticated themselves up to 12,000 years ago (of course they did). Domesticated animals have lost their ability to care for themselves in the wild and depend on humans. And what a privilege this responsibility is!
The most important way we help pets is to provide happy, healthy homes to the animals we’ve brought into our families. Another way is to support animals in shelters through volunteering, fostering or donation. Check out our resource, “3 Ways to Help Animals in Need” for more details.