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Top 4 Holiday Hazards To Your Pet
The holidays are a time for celebration and joy. Unfortunately, the holidays are
also a time for pets to be exposed to many dangers. The Pet Poison Helpline
states that they become much busier during the last 2 months of the year due
to pets ingesting toxins or being exposed to hazards. The following lists the 4
most common toxins your pet may become exposed to.
also a time for pets to be exposed to many dangers. The Pet Poison Helpline
states that they become much busier during the last 2 months of the year due
to pets ingesting toxins or being exposed to hazards. The following lists the 4
most common toxins your pet may become exposed to.
1. Liquid Potpourri- This sweet smelling substance proves to be irresistible,
especially to cats. While any pet can be harmed by ingesting potpourri, cats
are much more susceptible to damage caused by the cationic detergent that is
present in the product. If a pet drinks liquid potpourri, it can cause burns to the
mouth, esophagus, and stomach. It is even toxic to the skin-if your pet's skin is
exposed to the liquid, their fur should be washed thoroughly with soap and
water. It is recommended to use plug-in fresheners or candles instead of any
type of potpourri.
Birds owners need to also be aware the their pet's air sacs and respiratory
system are very sensitive to any aerosolized air freshener. It is generally
recommended to not use any air freshening product if you have birds as pets.
2. Chocolate- Chocolate contains theobromine which is similar to caffeine.
The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is. Among the most dangerous
include baker's chocolate, semi-sweet morsels, gourmet dark chocolate, and
chocolate covered espresso beans. It may only take a couple of ounces to
poison your pet depending on his weight. However, most candies and other
desserts contain milk chocolate which is not as toxic. It usually takes 1-2
ounces of milk chocolate per kilogram of body weight to cause any distress in
an animal. Signs of chocolate toxicity include salivation, vomiting, diarrhea,
increased activity, pacing, increased heart rate, arrhythmias, tremors, and
seizure. For more information, see chocolate toxicity.
Dogs that eat chocolate are also more prone to develop
pancreatitis-inflammation of the pancreas. Yorkshire terriers, miniature
Schnauzers, and Shetland Sheepdogs appear predisposed to developing
pancreatitis secondary to chocolate ingestion. Obese animals and pets on
potassium bromide or azathioprine are also at an increased risk.
3. Plants- Lillies are extremely toxic to cats. 1-2 leaves or petals from a lilly
plant can cause kidney failure. Even the pollen from the plant is toxic. Signs of
kidney failure include vomiting, decreased or no appetite, dehydration,
increased drinking, decreased urination, and lethargy-these signs can emerge
as soon as only a few days after eating the lilly. All lillies including Stargazers,
Easter, Tiger, and other Asiatic lillies are included on the toxic list. Peace
Lillies, Lily of the Valley, and Cala Lillies are not true lillies, though they can
cause vomiting, diarrhea and heart arrythmias (but not kidney failure) if eaten.
Dogs are not susceptible to lilly toxicity. They may develop vomiting and
diarrhea if they eat enough of the plant.
Poinsettas are not as toxic as originally thought. Their sap contains saponin
(detergent) like properties that is very irritating to the skin and mouth if
ingested. Signs will include vomiting and diarrhea, but no fatalities.
Mistletoe will cause vomiting and neurological depression, but no serious side
effects have been reported.
Holly plants are also not as toxic as originally thought. They can cause vomiting
and diarrhea from saponins (like Poinsettas) and physical damage to the
gastrointestinal tract from the spiny points on the leaves. They also contain
methylxanthines (similar to chocolate and caffeine) and cyanogens that cause
gastrointestinal upset, but rarely toxicity. If your pet ingests a very large portion
of the plant, their intestines may become obstructed.
4. Ribbon and Tinsel- These pretty present and tree trimmings are
magnets for your pets. When they swallow these objects, one end can become
wrapped around the tongue or upper GI tract while the rest of the string is
traveling through the intestines. When the intestines contract and try to move
the ribbon or tinsel, they will "bunch up", causing a linear foreign body. The
ribbon or tinsel can saw through the intestinal wall, releasing bacteria and
intestinal contents, causing peritonitis, or infection of the abdominal cavity.
Surgery to remove a linear foreign body is very complex and serious. Pets
usually need several days of intravenous fluids and antibiotics even if surgery
is successful. If you see a string protruding from your pet's mouth or anus, take
them to the veterinarian immediately-DO NOT try to pull the string yourself.
The Pet Poison Helpline is available to pet owners 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. They charge a $35 fee per incident and can inform you if concern is
warranted based on your pet's clinical signs and what they ingested. They can
be reached at 800-213-6680 or www.petpoisonhelpline.com.
especially to cats. While any pet can be harmed by ingesting potpourri, cats
are much more susceptible to damage caused by the cationic detergent that is
present in the product. If a pet drinks liquid potpourri, it can cause burns to the
mouth, esophagus, and stomach. It is even toxic to the skin-if your pet's skin is
exposed to the liquid, their fur should be washed thoroughly with soap and
water. It is recommended to use plug-in fresheners or candles instead of any
type of potpourri.
Birds owners need to also be aware the their pet's air sacs and respiratory
system are very sensitive to any aerosolized air freshener. It is generally
recommended to not use any air freshening product if you have birds as pets.
2. Chocolate- Chocolate contains theobromine which is similar to caffeine.
The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is. Among the most dangerous
include baker's chocolate, semi-sweet morsels, gourmet dark chocolate, and
chocolate covered espresso beans. It may only take a couple of ounces to
poison your pet depending on his weight. However, most candies and other
desserts contain milk chocolate which is not as toxic. It usually takes 1-2
ounces of milk chocolate per kilogram of body weight to cause any distress in
an animal. Signs of chocolate toxicity include salivation, vomiting, diarrhea,
increased activity, pacing, increased heart rate, arrhythmias, tremors, and
seizure. For more information, see chocolate toxicity.
Dogs that eat chocolate are also more prone to develop
pancreatitis-inflammation of the pancreas. Yorkshire terriers, miniature
Schnauzers, and Shetland Sheepdogs appear predisposed to developing
pancreatitis secondary to chocolate ingestion. Obese animals and pets on
potassium bromide or azathioprine are also at an increased risk.
3. Plants- Lillies are extremely toxic to cats. 1-2 leaves or petals from a lilly
plant can cause kidney failure. Even the pollen from the plant is toxic. Signs of
kidney failure include vomiting, decreased or no appetite, dehydration,
increased drinking, decreased urination, and lethargy-these signs can emerge
as soon as only a few days after eating the lilly. All lillies including Stargazers,
Easter, Tiger, and other Asiatic lillies are included on the toxic list. Peace
Lillies, Lily of the Valley, and Cala Lillies are not true lillies, though they can
cause vomiting, diarrhea and heart arrythmias (but not kidney failure) if eaten.
Dogs are not susceptible to lilly toxicity. They may develop vomiting and
diarrhea if they eat enough of the plant.
Poinsettas are not as toxic as originally thought. Their sap contains saponin
(detergent) like properties that is very irritating to the skin and mouth if
ingested. Signs will include vomiting and diarrhea, but no fatalities.
Mistletoe will cause vomiting and neurological depression, but no serious side
effects have been reported.
Holly plants are also not as toxic as originally thought. They can cause vomiting
and diarrhea from saponins (like Poinsettas) and physical damage to the
gastrointestinal tract from the spiny points on the leaves. They also contain
methylxanthines (similar to chocolate and caffeine) and cyanogens that cause
gastrointestinal upset, but rarely toxicity. If your pet ingests a very large portion
of the plant, their intestines may become obstructed.
4. Ribbon and Tinsel- These pretty present and tree trimmings are
magnets for your pets. When they swallow these objects, one end can become
wrapped around the tongue or upper GI tract while the rest of the string is
traveling through the intestines. When the intestines contract and try to move
the ribbon or tinsel, they will "bunch up", causing a linear foreign body. The
ribbon or tinsel can saw through the intestinal wall, releasing bacteria and
intestinal contents, causing peritonitis, or infection of the abdominal cavity.
Surgery to remove a linear foreign body is very complex and serious. Pets
usually need several days of intravenous fluids and antibiotics even if surgery
is successful. If you see a string protruding from your pet's mouth or anus, take
them to the veterinarian immediately-DO NOT try to pull the string yourself.
The Pet Poison Helpline is available to pet owners 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. They charge a $35 fee per incident and can inform you if concern is
warranted based on your pet's clinical signs and what they ingested. They can
be reached at 800-213-6680 or www.petpoisonhelpline.com.