Most ethylene glycol poisonings are associated with ingestion of radiator antifreeze. All animals are susceptible, with dogs and cats being affected most often. Ethylene glycol poisoning is common because antifreeze is widely used, it has a sweet taste and small lethal dose
Various breeds of dogs, especially Bedlington Terriers, have an inherited sensitivity to copper poisoning. Short-term poisoning is usually seen after accidental administration of excessive amounts of copper salts, which are sometimes part of medications for paras
Coal-tar poisoning is often caused by chewing on or eating items that contain coal tar. Typical sources are clay pigeons, tar paper, creosote-treated wood, and bitumen-based flooring. Effects include liver damage with signs of jaundice, fluid build-up within the
Fluorides are found throughout the environment and originate naturally from rocks and soil or from industrial processes. Toxic quantities of fluorides occur naturally. In certain areas, drinking water from deep wells may contain high levels of fluorides. Volcanic
Hazardous chemicals—such as products containing alcohols, bleaches, or corrosives—often found in the home can be sources of poisoning in pets. It can be difficult to determine the specific chemical consumed and the amount swallowed. Often a diagnosis must be base
Herbicides are used routinely for weed control. Most herbicides are quite selective for specific plants and are not as poisonous for animals. Less selective compounds, such as arsenicals, chlorates, and dinitrophenols, are more toxic to animals. Most toxicity pro
A class of organic chemical compounds called halogenated aromatics includes polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), naphthalenes, benzenes, and diphenyl ethers (PCDE, PBDE), as well as a number of pesticides such as DDT (
Gossypol poisoning is usually longterm, cumulative, and slowly and subtly harmful. It is caused by eating cottonseed or cottonseed products that contain excess gossypol.