The Labrador retriever was the top dog in getting into things a good pet should not.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals's poison control center handled more than 180,000 calls in 2012 from pet owners worried that their animals had eaten something toxic.
In 2012, the Labrador led the pack. Here are the top five canines and the numbers:
1) Labrador (14,000 cases)
2) Mixed breeds (8,000 cases)
3) Chihuahuas (4,833 cases)
4) Golden retrievers (4,819 cases)
5) Yorkshire terriers (3,800 cases)
"The Labrador retriever is one of the most popular breeds in this country, and evidently they get into the most trouble as well," said Animal Poison Control Center's medical director Tina Wismer.
There were 10,000 cases involving shorthair domestic cats. The call center also handled calls regarding horses, snakes, primates, fish and a bear.
The top five toxins to prompt a call to poison control were:
1) Human prescription medicines.
2) Insecticides.
3) Over-the-counter human pills such as fish oil and ibuprofen.
4) Veterinary products where the pet ingests the entire bottle.
5) Household products from fire logs to cleaning fluids.
If your pet eats something toxic, call the vet or the ASPCA's 24-hour hotline 1-(888) 426-4435.
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Read more articles by Bill Lindelof
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