Thanksgiving is at hand, and the rest of the Christmas and holiday season is just ahead. It's a busy time, but you need to make sure in the whirl of activities that you aren't ignoring any danger to your pets.
At this time of year it is important to consider some of the most common holiday hazards for pets: feeding problems, foreign-body ingestion and accidental poisoning. The bad news is that many pets will end up at your veterinarian's office or emergency clinic this holiday season. The good news is that yours won't be among them if you keep an eye out for these hazards.
Feeding problems: Your pet knows something special is cooking and he lets you know he's interested - just look at those begging eyes! How can you resist slipping your pet a little something special: a big piece of turkey skin, a handful of chips with dip, some slices of salami? Resist or your pet could be spending his holiday at the emergency veterinary clinic.
Foods too rich, too fatty, too spicy - or anything your pet's not accustomed to - can trigger a bout of intestinal upset. For some animals, the treat can trigger a serious inflammation of the pancreas or intestine, and that means a life-threatening illness.
What to avoid? Anything you wouldn't eat your pet should avoid, too. While a little bit of meat - beef or poultry - won't hurt and would be appreciated, steer clear of the fatty parts and the poultry skin, which also harbors fat.
No one's saying your pet shouldn't enjoy a special holiday meal, too, but limiting the kind and amount of special food will ensure that it is a treat - not a trouble.
Foreign-body ingestion: Poultry bones may seem like the perfect gift for the pet that has everything, but do her a favor and save them for the soup. (Broth is a wonderful treat poured over your pet's regular food.) Even the largest turkey bones are prone to splintering, sending shards through the animal's intestines. Should one pierce through the lining, the result can be deadly peritonitis.
While cooked poultry bones are out, some beef bones can be safely substituted. Knuckle bones (for large dogs) and oxtails (for small ones) stand up to vigorous gnawing, providing your pet with hours of messy fun. Check at your meat counter for these inexpensive treats. Supervise your dog's chewing, and throw them out after a few hours of attention, or if they get broken into pieces that can be swallowed.
Some dogs prefer to eat bones rather than just chew on them, and if you've got one of those, closely keep an eye out to make sure the bones aren't causing internal problems. A pulverized bone can solidify like concrete in an animal's lower intestine, causing constipation and, occasionally, blockage that must be removed by a veterinarian. Remember still…everything in moderation!
The Christmas tree is full of hazards for dogs and cats. Tinsel can be an appealing target for play, but if ingested, it can twist up the intestines. This is a particular danger to cats and kittens, which seem to find tinsel - along with yarn, ribbon and string - especially appealing to eat.
Ornaments, too, are deadly in the mouths - and stomachs - of pets, and even the water at the base of the tree contains secretions that can at the very least cause a “stomachache.” Light strings are no good for chewing, and the whole tree can come down on the cat climbing in branches. Some dogs may even be inclined to break the rules of house-training on a freshly cut tree. Why else, they reason, would anyone bring a tree into the house? The best way to handle the situation is by making the tree off-limits to your pets unless you're there to watch and keep them out of trouble.
Poisonings: Holiday plants such as mistletoe may look intriguing to your pet, but they're also toxic, as are the bulbs of the amaryllis plant. (Long the poster child for holiday poisoning, the falsely maligned poinsettia can be safely welcomed into the pet lover's home.) And before you share your holiday candy with your pet, be aware that chocolate is toxic to dogs, and may be deadly to the little dog that gets a good-sized piece. Again, the best cure is prevention. Keep all dangerous plants out of the reach of your pets, and keep the candy dish available to people only!
Call your pet’s veterinarian if you have any questions. If you do not have a regular relationship, establish one so you can feel confident about your pet’s care. He or she is your best source for advice on your pet.
One more thing that can help the “cheer” of our beloved pets: Don’t forget your local shelter or favorite animal benevolent organization during this time of thanks and of giving. They’re always in need of our support.
Please have a safe and happy holiday season. Remember that “an ounce of prevention” and a “pinch” of common sense can improve your entire family’s likelihood of just that!
Doug McKee, D.V.M.
Clay-Duval Pet Emergency Clinic
275 Corporate Way, Suite 200
Orange Park, FL 32073
(904) 264-8281
No comments:
Post a Comment