Bhe-Jei Maltese

Poisoning

Chocolate, anti-freeze, and pesticides are some of the common household materials that can cause severe reactions and death in Maltese. House plants such as aloe vera, dieffenbachia, draecena, asparagus fern, rubber plant, schefflera, and poinsettia and outdoor favorites azalea, rhododendron, hibiscus, and lily of the valley are among dozens of plants that can cause a variety of symptoms for dogs. Apple seeds and cherry pits can also poison a Maltese. Some signs of plant poisoning are continual vomiting, diarrhea, and refusal of food, pale gums or tongue, swollen tongue, abdominal pain, convulsions.

Help is available from the National Animal Poison Control Center, a division of the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. They are available 24 hours a day of every week. Center veterinarians and veterinary toxicologists have up-to-the minute information on toxicity levels, antidotes, treatments, and prognosis based on more than 250,000 cases involving pesticides, drugs, plants, metals, and other exposures in pets, livestock, and wildlife. These specialists provide advice to animal owners and confer with veterinarians about poison exposures.

If you suspect your Maltese has been poisoned, gather the following information and then call the NAPCC: give your name, address, and telephone number, age, sex, and weight of the animal affected; the substance the animal ingested if known; the time that has elapsed since ingestion; and the symptoms the animal is showing.

NAPCC has three telephone numbers for easy access:

The center also has an animal product safety service for manufacturers of veterinary, agricultural, and chemical products. This service provides a toll-free number to be printed on product labels and literature so that toxicity information and treatment advice is available to purchasers. There is no charge for calls made to the number provided on the product. This service also keeps case records, compiles quarterly reports, and works with manufacturers to increase product safety.