10 Terrible Toxicants That are NOT Well Known

1.  Amitriptyline - Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA):

     This is a medication used in dogs for separation anxiety and in humans for depression.  Overdoses of tricyclic antidepressants can be life threatening.  Overdose can cause fatal arrhythmias of the heart, lethargy, seizures or tremors, and low blood pressure.

2.  Calcipotriene(Dovonex®) - Vitamin D Derivatives:

     Calcipotriene is a synthetic derivative of Vitamin D-3. It is used as a topical ointment to treat psoriasis in humans. 
     In most cases, dogs that have ingested toxic levels of calcipotriene start showing signs of lethargy, weakness, and inappetence within 1 to 2 days post exposure.  If left untreated Vitamin- D overdose can result in kidney failure, heart failure, and possibly death.

3.  Ethylene Glycol-Antifreeze
     Ethylene glycol is rapidly absorbed and can be measured in the blood within 30 minutes.  It takes a very small amount to be toxic to animals.  In a regular sized cat 1 teaspoon is a toxic dose of Antifreeze!!!

     In most cases of ethylene glycol poisonings, the animal begins vomiting within the first few hours. Within 1 to 6 hours signs of depression, stumbling/wobbly, weakness, increased breathing rate, increased urinating and drinking. By 18 to 36 hours kidney failure occurs. Other signs seen with ethylene glycol toxicosis include seizures, coma, and death.

4.  5-Fluorouracil (Fluorouracil ®, Efudex®, Fluoroplex ®) - Antimetabolites
     This ointment is used to treat actinic (solar) keratoses in people, which is a skin growth caused by exposure to sunlight. 
     Early effects seen with 5-FU, in the dog, include seizures, tremors, vomiting, and ataxia(wobbly).  Irregular heart rate, breathing distress and bloody diarrhea are also seen.  Symptoms develop within 1 hour and are usually life-threatening.  Death often occurs within 6-16 hours after exposure. 

5.  Isoniazid(Laniazid, Nydrazid)     Isoniazid (INH) is an antibiotic used to treat and prevent tuberculosis.    Isoniazid is available as an elixir, injection, syrup, and tablets in strengths of 50, 100, and 300 mg.
      Overdoses produce life-threatening signs: seizures, acidosis, and coma.

6.  Lily Toxicosis in Cats
     Within only a few hours of ingestion, the cat may vomit, become lethargic, or develop a lack of appetite. These signs continue and worsen as kidney damage progresses. Without prompt and proper treatment, the cat will develop kidney failure in approximately 36 to 72 hours.
     Check out my prior blog post, lilies are at the very bottom: Hazardous Holiday Plants

7.  Ma Huang - Sympathomimetic alkaloids

     Ma Huang is used as an herbal weight loss aid that contains ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which act as stimulants.
     Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are also found in cold and flu medications as nasal decongestants and are similar in structure to amphetamines. They can cause increased blood pressure, increase heart rate,  ataxia, dilated pupils, hyperactivity, tremors, and seizures.

8.  Metaldehyde

     Metaldehyde is a common pesticide against slugs, and snails.

     Onset of symptoms is typically within 30 minutes to 3 hours. Common symptoms seen include increased heart rate, nervousness, panting, drooling, ataxia, fever, tremors, and seizures.   In some cases, liver failure may occur within 2 to 3 days post exposure.

9.  Methomyl - Cholinesterase Inhibitors

     Methomyl is a highly toxic insecticide that can be found in fly baits.  These baits are usually labeled for use where large animals(cows, horses) are housed to help control flies.

     Exposure to carbamates may lead to increased salivation, eye watering, urinary incontinence, diarrhea, stomach and intestinal cramping, and vomiting.  You may also see stupor, coma, seizures and loss of muscle tone(limp). The usual cause of death is respiratory failure.

*I don't think this insecticide is very widely available, I really couldn't find of the chain stores that sold it*

10.  Zinc Phosphide

       Zinc phosphide is used in mole and gopher baits and is considered to be highly toxic.  Symptoms are seen soon after ingestion, typically within 15 minutes to 4 hours. Death occurs due to respiratory failure.  Toxic effects of Zinc Phosphide is enhanced with presence of food and water in the stomach.