Holiday Dangers for Pets

The holiday season is fast approaching. Soon our pet’s environment will be filled with bright and attractive decoration.To keep our holidays happy and safe, it is important to take special precaution to avoid potential health problems to our pets. I will try to touch on some of the more common problems I encounter at my practice. Always remember that this is not a complete list. If you have any concerns or questions, contact your pet’s veterinarian for further guidance.

Chocolate is a well known toxin to dogs. Pet owners are aware of not giving their dogs chocolate, however most ingestion occurs when the owners aren’t watching! We have had cases where the client left a dog in the car for just a minute, while they ran into a store, only to find that a pound of fudge was missing upon return. Many people will leave wrapped chocolates on a coffee table and are very surprised to come home and find an empty bowl.Theobromine is a substance found in cocoa and is responsible for intoxication in pets. White chocolate, for instance, has a very low level of this substance, and it is therefore not as toxic as baker’s chocolate, which is considered the most toxic type of chocolate. Signs of intoxication can include diarrhea, vomiting, anxiety, disorientation, and can progress to tachycardia (increase heart rate) and seizures. Your pet needs to be treated for chocolate intoxication immediately if any of these signs are present.

Bread dough is a potential toxin that has been recently recognized. We haven’t seen too many cases, but you probably don’t want to be one of the first ones! The toxicity dependents on the amount of dough ingested, but I would never offer my dogs any uncooked bread dough. The yeast can form high levels of ethanol which can be potentially fatal if enough is consumed. Signs of bread dough intoxication include distended abdomen, disorientation, stupor, and vomiting. In extreme cases it can cause coma or seizures. Your pet will need to be monitored by a veterinarian for support if any signs of disorientation are observed at home.

Holiday plants as Poinsettia and Mistletoes can cause intoxication. Poinsettia plants have previously been labeled as toxic, however, now we recognize thatthey are more irritating to the gastrointestinal tract than actually toxic. They usually only cause limited vomiting and diarrhea. Some species of Mistletoes have also been reported to be toxic. American Mistletoecan cause respiratory distress and cardiovascular collapse, so keep then high up so that your pet cannot get to them!

Christmas trees are particularly fascinating to pets. All of the colors and smells are sometimes too much to resist. Although most additives for Christmas trees are pet safe, some fertilizers, bacteria, and sometimes even the resin that concentrates in the water can be toxic to pets. Always cover the water with a sturdy tree skirt to avoid problems.Contaminated water can cause severe irritation to the mouth and gastrointestinal system. Most ornaments can be dangerous if ingested by a pet, always keep them safe from your pets. Tinsel, for example, can cause intestinal obstruction and electrical shock may occur from the lights. If you have a more rambunctious pet, consider wiring your tree to the wall to prevent your pet from tugging on the tree and pulling it over on themselves.

Finally, remember not to give your pet any table food from the holiday “feasts”. We see several cases of vomiting or diarrhea after a holiday. Sometimes it is “just” gastroenteritis with inflammation of the stomach and intestines, but sometimes it may lead to pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a potentially life threatening inflammation of the pancreas usually induced by a high fat meal (ie stuffing!). Treatment requires hospitalization with intensive fluid and antibiotic treatment. Most cases will have to stay 3-5 days in the hospital. Pancreatitis will also sensitize the pets to recurrence of this disease in the future with any high fat food intake. Secondarily, some pets will develop diabetes after pancreatitis, if the areas of the pancreas that produce insulin are damaged. There is just way too much at risk for that momentary pleasure of slipping the pets some goodies under the table.

The holidays are a special time for us and our pets. They are such a big part of our lives and the memories of special occasions. It only takes a little time and effort to ensure that our pets are safe and the holidays are healthy and happy times. Happy holidays!!!