Vet’s urgent warning over household item with hidden toxins after dog rushed to emergency vet
A VET has issued an urgent warning to pet owners over a household item full of hidden toxins that are dangerous for dogs.
Dogs and cats can suffer severe liver damage if they come into contact with an everyday decoration, it has been revealed.
Pets on Parker, a vet clinic in Victoria, Australia, told 7 News that essential oils of the kind found in diffusers can have a serious impact on the health of our furry friends.
A spokesperson for the clinic said: “Their livers are slower at eliminating these compounds, which can lead to toxic build-up.
“While dogs do not lack this enzyme, they are still sensitive to essential oils and can become very sick if exposed to them.
“Common signs of poisoning as a result of inhalation (usually from an oil diffuser) include laboured breathing, lack of coordination and difficulty walking, drooling, diarrhoea, lethargy, depression, low body temperature, weakness, muscle tremors and vomiting.”
They also provided a list of the oils that are most toxic to dogs and those that present the largest danger to cats.
The comments came in response to the case of Marrrianne Whyte, from New Zealand, whose dog was so ill when she returned home that it didn’t even recognise her.
The pooch only improved the next day after she turned off her electronic diffuser.
However, he relapsed that evening.
Marrianne said: “[My dog sitter] said that he wouldn’t come out from under the bed.
“I came from work early and again, he was very confused about who I was.”
They rushed the stricken pet to an emergency vet.
Marrianne explained: “It turns out that the tea tree oil I was using in the diffuser is toxic for dogs.”
She then warned: “Please make sure that the essential oils you are burning are not toxic for your pets.”
It comes after dog owners were warned about the hidden dangers to their pets on UK beaches.
One vet also revealed that a toxic ingredient could be hidden in your pooch’s favourite treats.
Most toxic essential oils
For dogs:
- Clove
- Garlic
- Geranium
- Juniper
- Rosemary
- Tea tree
- Thyme
- Wintergreen
For cats:
- Cassia
- Cinnamon
- Citrus
- Clove
- Bergamot
- Basil
- Eucalyptus
- Geranium
- Grapefruit
- Lemon
- Lime
- Lavender
- Melaleuca
- Oregano
- Peppermint
- Pennyroyal
- Spruce
- Tea tree
- Thyme
- Wintergreen
- Wild orange