More than 50%l of all pet poisonings involve human drugs.  Pet Poison Helpline Expert and veterinarian, Dr. Justine Lee has suggestions to help us keep our pets safe.

Keep your medicines in the containers that they come in.  Dogs can chew through baggies and can easily open those weekly pill holders.  The five most common poisonings are:

1. NSAIDS (Advil, Aleve, and Motrin) – Ingesting even a few pills can cause kidney failure.  Pets may develop serious stomach and intestinal ulcers.
2. ACETAMINOPHEN (Tylenol) – In cats Tylenol limits ability to carry oxygen and in dogs it can lead to liver failure.
3. ANTIDEPRESSANTS (Effexor, Cymbalta, Prozac, Lexapro) – Just one pill can lead to elevated heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.  It can also lead to serious neurological problems.
4. ADD/ADHD Medications (Concerta, Adderall, Ritalin) – Minimal ingestions of these medications by pets can cause life threatening tremors, seizures, elevated body temperatures, and heart problems.
5. BENZODIAZEPINES AND SLEEP AIDS (Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, Lunesta) – May cause severe lethargy, incoordination, and slowed breathing.  In cats, some forms can cause liver failure when ingested.