Pet Safety For The Holiday Season
Pet safety is especially important during the holiday season. We must remember our four-legged and winged family members. Holiday festivities present situations which can be hazardous to your pet, so a little precaution is necessary for making this season a happy time for everyone. You may be surprised by what your pets can get into during the holidays, but your veterinarian won’t be. We have seen almost everything! Plants, gifts and decorations are just a few of the seemingly harmless things that can change a celebration into an emergency trip to the veterinarian.
If there is one rule, we should follow this time of year, this is it: Anything they can swallow, they will swallow! Obstructive foreign bodies are things our pets eat that lead to partial or complete blockage of their gastrointestinal tract. We have seen animals that have ingested needles, fishhooks, rocks, a spoon and even razor blades. These objects can get stuck anywhere from the mouth and lips, all the way to their back end. Pay special attention to plastic toys, especially those with small removable parts, strings or loose wires. Batteries are caustic and potentially highly toxic. They can cause obstructions or lead to chemical burns. Linear foreign bodies are among the most dangerous we encounter! Strings, tinsel and ribbons can obstruct or even cut through the intestines. Tree ornaments can result in cuts. They can be swallowed whole or contain toxic dyes or chemicals. Crayons, markers and pencils are usually nontoxic, especially if made for children, but can result in vomiting or diarrhea.
Many things can be poisonous, including plants, decorations and even foods that are safe for people to eat. Mistletoe is very toxic and can cause intestinal upset, heart arrhythmias, breathing problems, seizures or a coma. All of the plant, especially the berries, is poisonous. Holly is moderately to very toxic, especially berries and leaves, and results in severe vomiting and diarrhea or nervous system depression. Poinsettias and all parts of the Christmas tree are only mildly toxic.
Decorations are beautiful, but potentially dangerous to our pets. Snow spray, fireplace colors (fire salts) and angel hair (spun glass) are only slightly toxic. The fluid in bubbling lights (methylene chloride) can be lethal if inhaled or ingested in large amounts. Tree preservative varies in toxicity by brand, so read the label carefully. New tinsel is nontoxic, but in the past, it contained poisons such as metallic cyanide. So be careful if your decorations have been passed down from relatives.
Chocolate isn’t just dangerous to our waistline; it is dangerous to our pets. The danger varies with the type of chocolate. Unsweetened baker’s chocolate is the worst, then milk chocolate, and white chocolate is the least. Toxicity can range from an upset stomach to neurologic signs such as tremors to coma and even death. Coffee contains caffeine and theobromine which is harmful to pets and can cause acceleration of heart rate and breathing or even seizures. Bread dough and other yeast products can produce alcohol and cause intoxication. Dough can also block the intestinal tract or cause bloating. Macadamia nuts can cause increased body temperature, muscle stiffness, increased heart rate and tremors. Pets seem to be attracted to alcohol, so don’t leave drinks unattended. It is no joke to get a pet drunk; serious intoxications have occurred. Small amounts of antifreeze can be fatal. Potpourri/potpourri oil can cause severe burns, and ingestion can affect the nervous system.
A few other, often overlooked, dangers include electric shock from chewing on Christmas lights or other electrical cords and traumatic injuries from cats climbing trees or children climbing pets.
Holiday festivities can get stressful. You should provide a special quiet place to which your pet can retreat when the excitement gets too stressful. (Sometimes, you may want to join him!) Family and guests are coming and going, so watch out for open doors and windows to prevent pets from escaping. Be sure your pet has a collar with tags or a microchip. Discourage visitors from feeding your pets treats, we want our pets to enjoy the holiday season with us – not with vomiting and diarrhea.
The Palm City Animal Medical Center wishes you all a very Happy and Healthy Holiday Season.
Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service, Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit http://www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
