Pet Library : Common Poisonings

VPI releases list of most common pet poisoning claims

Pet insurance giant Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI) recently released a list of the most common pet poisoning claims it received between 2005 and 2009. The company, in a news release, said in the last five years it has received almost 20,000 poisoning claims, which cost VPI policy holders more than $6.6 million.

Accidental ingestion of medications (pet or human drugs) 5,131
Rodenticide 4,028
Methylxanthine toxicity (chocolate, caffeine) 3,661
Plant poisoning 2,808
Household chemicals 1,669
Metaldehyde (snail, slug poison) 396
Insecticide 323
Heavy metal toxicity (lead, zinc) 288
Toad poisoning 270
Antifreeze poisoning 213
Walnut poisoning 100
Alcohol toxicity 75
Strychnine 28