Human medications top list of pet poisons

URBANA, ILL. — Human medications were responsible for the most cases of pet poisoning in 2006, according to a new report from the American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

More than 78,000 calls were logged by the agency's Animal Poison Control Center hotline last year, a 69 percent increase over the previous year.

Painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements led the list of poisons in this category.

It's important to remind owners that one extra-strength tablet of acetaminophen can be deadly to a cat, says Dr. Steven Hansen, a veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president of ASPCA.

Last year's top categories for poisoning calls included:

• Insecticides: 27,000 cases pertaining to products used to kill fleas, ticks and other insects (up more than 28 percent).

• Veterinary medications: 12,000 cases were logged of animal-related preparations — from flea-and-tick preventives to vaccines. ASPCA notes the cases were mostly attributed to errors in administration and not following label directions. Nonetheless, a 93 percent hike in the number of calls was noted when compared to 2005.

• Plants: More than 9,300 calls.

• Rodenticides: 8,800 calls.

• Household cleaners: 7,200 calls.

• Chocolate: 4,800 calls.

• Chemical hazards (petroleum-based products, alcohols, acids and gases): 4,100 calls.

• Physical hazards (objects that could pose a choking hazard, risk for intestinal obstruction or other physical injury) 3,800 calls.

• Home-improvement products: 2,100 reported cases in this category involved paint, solvents, expanding glues and other products.

ASPCA's Animal Poison Control center is an allied agency of the University of Illinois and staffed by 40 veterinary professionals.