Cyanide bait (feratox) is being used widely to control possums. This is laid by licensed operators only, but pets and sheep dogs can still be at risk.  Cyanide is one of the most toxic and rapidly acting poisons available. In acute poisoning death usually occurs within a few minutes so most animals do not survive the journey to get treatment. Recently we had a dog that ingested some cyanide bait that was on the back of a truck and the dog was presented to the clinic within minutes of ingestion. We were able to administer the antidote and oxygen and the patient made a remarkable recovery within half an hour, from convulsing and semi comatose to wanting some dog food. This dog was lucky but most aren't, so the message must be to be aware of what poisons are being laid on your farm and keep animals well away from the treated areas.

The other  common type of poison used for possum and rat control include  the Warfarin type poisons such as pest off, talon etc . These poisons act by blocking the animals blood clotting pathways and over a period of 3 -5 days lead to fatal internal bleeding. People can get false comfort from the fact that after the dog has eaten the poison they look ok. This is not safe as  the poison takes 3 -5 days to take effect so do not wait until clinical signs show, get the animal into the clinic within 1 to 1 1/2 hrs  so we can induce vomiting and get that poison out . Remember that the amounts being placed in some of the possum bait stations is huge and dogs are at great risk. Remember dogs can climb trees and possums can knock the bait to the ground, and cats can go everywhere.

Human medicines left lying around the house also pose a risk to dogs and cats. Paracetamol, Aspirin and Nurofen type drugs are all highly toxic to animals .They can, even at very small doses, lead to fatal stomach ulceration, liver and kidney failure. Do not be tempted to use these drugs on your animal if it is uncomfortable for any reason!!!.  Get veterinary advice and only use veterinary prescribed pain relief.

Household items that can also cause trouble with your pets are chocolate (highly toxic especially the dark chocolate), anti freeze (cats and dogs like the sweetness of it and it causes renal failure), undiluted or strong mixtures of dettol or savlon applied to wounds (animals lick the wound and it causes chemical burns to their tongues).

Slug baits are very palatable despite so called animal repellents being added. Farmers need to be particularly careful when drilling large quantities of slug baits onto pasture - watch the dogs and watch where you store this when not in use. Also beware of the accidental poisoning of cattle eating from the bags of slug bait left in paddocks. We have seen this!!