By John Denny

Observer Reporter

(Charlestown, Nevis) – All owners of dogs on Nevis should be aware that dogs are routinely poisoned-for a variety of reasons.

It is against the Nevis “Protection of Animals Act” a law first enacted in 1935-yet the law is not enforced today. Usually, the reason given is that dogs are poisoned by angered goat or sheep herders who have had their herds attacked.

The goat owner might not know the specific dog that attacked their animal so will set out poison in the village- perhaps poisoning all the dogs (and cats) along a road for example. This poison is usually bits of fish or meat laced with poison, wrapped in a small piece of tin foil, left on the ground for a hungry animal to find, be it cat, dog and even mongoose.

Many animals here are hungry as they are not fed but are left to rummage in garbage bins-thus the local term “Dung bin dogs.”

Often times, dogs are poisoned while in their yards-for no apparent reason. Be sure your dog is properly contained in your yard, but also be extremely alert if you walk your dog as poison can be placed anywhere at any time-even on the beach.

It is also against the law in Nevis for goats and sheep to roam free. Years ago when there was more farming done on the Island the laws were enforced more often. If you see roaming animals you might report it to the police and suggest they enforce the law.

There is a very fast acting poison that is being smuggled into Nevis and causes death within 20 minutes. If you find any unusual foil packets in your yard be very cautious on handling it and report it to the police. You might suggest that the laws be enforced here as well.

What you can do to protect your dog:

The best and perhaps only thing you can do against this lethal substance is to prevent your dog from ever eating it by training the dog to never drink or eat anything except what is placed in their bowl. You can do this by having other people offer the dog pieces of meat with hot pepper outside the bowl and placing plain meat in the bowl. Also do the same with their water. Do this repeatedly until you are satisfied that the dog will not be tempted by any food or liquid source outside its bowl.

What you should do if you suspect that my pet has been poisoned:

First - call your veterinarian or the National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-800-548-2423 or 1-900-680-0000. In Nevis you can call Dr. Barlette at 469-0878, if it is during working hours during the week, or Ross University has a vet on call at all times. Their community practice number is 466-3056. If it is after hours there will be a message with the number of the person on call. Have the following information available if possible:

Exact name of the plant or poison;

How much the animal ate or came in contact with;

How long ago exposure or ingestion occurred;

The animal’s vital signs (temperature, heart rate, breathing rate, capillary refill time, and mucous membrane color; the animal’s weight.

Specific home therapy is based on ridding the pets’ body of the toxin.

Topical poisons: Wash the animal with large volumes of water. If your pet is having a reaction to a flea product a mild hand soap or shampoo can be used. If an oil-based toxin (such as petroleum products), use dishwashing liquids. If the poison is in the eye, flush with large volumes of water. If the poison is a powder, you need to dust or vacuum it off.

Inhaled poisons:

Take the animal to fresh air as fast as possible.

Ingested Poisons: It may or may not be ok to induce vomiting, always check with your veterinarian or the National Animal Poison Control Center first. With some caustic substances it may be appropriate to administer milk, but this needs to be decided on a case to case basis. Do not induce vomiting in the following circumstances.

The animal is having difficulty breathing

The animal is seizuring, depressed or abnormally excited.

The animal is unconscious.

The toxin is a caustic like drain opener, an acid (battery) or a petroleum-based product.

The heart rate is very slow. _Cat Normal Rate = 160-220 beats/minute _Dog Normal Rate =_ Small less than 30 lbs. 100-160 bpm _ Medium to large. 60-100 bpm _ Puppy 120-160 bpm

The object eaten was pointed or sharp.

How to induce vomiting: Give household hydrogen peroxide 3% orally at a dose of one teaspoon (5ml) per 10 pounds (5kg) of body weight. This may be repeated every 15 to 20 minutes up to three times. No peroxide? Place 1 teaspoon of table salt into the animals’ mouth.

Always save the vomitus to show your veterinarian.

Warning! Never use Ipecac syrup which may be toxic to dogs and cats.

Some plants that are poisonous to pets:

Aloe Vera (Medicine Plant)

Amaryllis

Andromeda japonica

Apple (Seeds)

Apple Leaf Croton

Asparagus Fern

Autumn Crocus

Avocado (fruit & pit)

Azalea

Baby’s Breath

Bird of Paradise

Birdsnest sansovioria

Bittersweet

Branching Ivy

Buckeye

Buddhist Pine

Caladium

Calla Lily

Carnation

Castor Bean

Ceriman

Cherry (seeds & wilting leaves)

Chinaberry Tree (berries, bark, leaves, flowers)

Chinese Evergreen

Christmas Cactus

Christmas Rose

Chrysanthemum

Cineraria

Clematus

Coleus

Cordatum

Corn Plant

Cornstalk Plant

Croton

Cuban Laurel

Cycads

Cyclamen

Daffodil

Daisy

Day Lily (cats)

Dracaena

Dragon Tree

Dumb Cane (all types)

Dieffenbachia

Easter Lily (especially cats)

Elaine

Elephant Ears

Emerald Feather

English Ivy

Fiddle-leaf Fig

Flamingo Plant

Florida Beauty

Foxglove

Geranium

German Ivy

Glacier Ivy

Glory Lily

Golden Pothos

Hahn’s Self-Branching

Heavenly Bamboo

Hibiscus

Holly

Hosta

Hurricane Plant

Hyacinth

Hydrangea

Indian Laurel

Indian Rubber Plant

Iris

Japanese Show Lily (sepecially cats)

Jade Plant

Jerusalem Cherry

Kalanchoe (Panda Bear Plant)

Lily of the Valley

Macadamia Nut

Madagascar Dragon Tree

Marble Queen

Marijuana

Minature Croton

Mistletoe

Morning Glory

Mother-in-Law’s Tongue

Narcissus

Needlepoint Ivy

Nephthytis

Nightshade

Norfolk Pine

Oleander

Onion

Oriental Lily (especially cats)

Peace Lily

Peach (wilting leaves & pits)

Pencil Cactus

Philodendron (all types)

Plum (wilting leaves and seeds)

Plumosa Fern

Poinsetta (low toxicity)

Poison Ivy

Poison Oak

Pothos

Precatory Bean

Primrose (Primula)

Red Emerald

Red Princess

Rhododendron

Ribbon Plant

Sago Palm

Satin Pothos

Schefflera

Silver Pothos

String of Pearls/Beads

Sweetheart Ivy

Swiss Cheese Plant

Taro Vine

Tiger Lily (especially cats)

Tomato Plant (green fruit, stem & leaves)

Tulip

Varigated Rubber Plant

Wandering Jew

Weeping Fig

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Yew

Yucca

This list only represents the more common toxic plants. _For a more complete list you may contact the National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-800-548-2423 or 1-900-680-0000

Always assume a plant can be harmful unless you know that it isn’t.