CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
During the holiday season, it is important to ensure our four-legged family members can safely enjoy it too.
Many things two-legged family members look forward to for Thanksgiving and Christmas can be hazardous for pets. The following items address these dangers and ways to minimize risk, if not prevent them altogether.
· Holiday table scraps: People tend to enjoy lots of rich, fatty foods during the holidays. Feeding pet's fatty foods like ham, turkey, and sweets are common causes of vomiting, diarrhea, and even pancreatitis, which can be very serious. Also, bones in meat can become lodged in a pet's gastro-intestinal tract causing an obstruction and potentially requiring invasive surgical removal. Consider what has been placed on the coffee table and how accessible it is to a dog or cat. Additionally, remember, placing gifts under a Christmas tree which are food items may be very tempting to curious pets.
· Chocolate: Many people are aware chocolate can be hazardous to a pet's health, yet it continues to be the most common toxic ingestion in the pet population. The primary toxins in chocolate are caffeine and theobromine, a compound related to caffeine. Depending on the dose, these compounds can cause hyperexcitability followed by weakness, loss of balance, seizures and ultimately coma and death. The doses of theobromine and caffeine are dependent on the amount and type of chocolate ingested. While all chocolate poses these risks, types of chocolate with a more bitter taste tend to have a higher concentration of these toxins. If a pet ingests chocolate, it is important they are seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
· Household plants: Some holiday ornamental plants can cause illness in a pet if either the leaves or the stems are ingested. Ingestion of lilies is very serious and can lead to acute kidney failure. There are many species of mistletoe, so it is difficult to predict the effects of ingestion, but clinical signs vary from mild gastrointestinal upset with or without vomiting and diarrhea to liver failure and seizures. If a pet ingests these plants, they should be seen by a veterinarian. Contrary to popular belief, reports of Poinsettia toxicity have been greatly exaggerated. In rare cases, blisters may form in the animal's mouth. These signs are typically self-limiting and do not require veterinary care.
· Christmas trees: Tree ornaments can present a hazard to pets. Most of these ornaments have hooks which can cause injury to the paws or inside of a pet's mouth. If ingested, they can also damage the gastro-intestinal tract. If a cat is tempted to play with the ornaments on a tree, decorate the bottom third of the tree with non-breakable, plastic, or wooden ornaments that do not have hooks. Lights need to be hung out of reach of pets, and animals should not be left unattended around Christmas trees or other strands of lights. Trees should be secured to a wall or ceiling hook. The presents under the tree pose a similar risk as the ornaments hanging from it. Animals often see ribbons and string as toys and may chew on them. Keeping these types of items away from pets is a simple way to protect them.
As holiday shopping continues, along with visiting with friends, relatives and preparing for visitors to the home, be sure to keep a pet's exercise and feeding schedule regulated. Remember the importance of daily walks for dogs and playtime for cats, cleaning the litter box and grooming.
Carelessness or lack of concern could ruin the holiday season by resulting in serious illness, injury or death. Remember, a pet can't protect themselves by deciding what is safe and what isn't. Owners must be aware of these risks in order to prevent mishaps. If steps are taken to minimize the risks, a safe and enjoyable holiday season for the entire family is assured.
For more information or if a pet experiences any of these problems, call the Charleston AFB Veterinary Treatment Facility at 963-1166. If it is an emergency or outside of the clinic's business hours, open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., contact a local veterinary emergency clinic.