Causes of poisoning in companion animals in Europe

Abstract

Domestic dogs live in the same environment as their owners and are exposed to the same environmental risk factors. For this reason, these animals can serve as indicators of diseases affecting humans. According to epidemiological studies performed by the National Center for Poison Control (NAPCC) in the United States, dogs are a kind of indicator of human exposure to environmental toxins, such as insecticides and herbicides, because they respond to most poisonings analogously to humans. Pesticides, such as rodenticides, insecticides, molluscicides and herbicides, are the most common cause of poisoning in companion animals in Europe. In most species, pesticides are one of the main causes of poisoning. The incidence of pesticide poisoning is significantly dependent on the toxicity of commercial preparations. A ban on the use of highly toxic pesticides could reduce their availability and, consequently, the occurrence of animal poisoning.