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Here is a list of hazards that you should be aware of, especially around the holiday season.
Chocolate Toxicity
Active Ingredient: Methylxanthine alkaloids (theobromine and caffeine)
Systems Affected:
• Gastrointestinal - early onset of vomiting and diarrhea
• Cardiovascular- increased heart rate or abnormal rhythms
• CNS- seizures and excitability
History:
• Recent chocolate ingestion
• Vomiting and diarrhea are often reported in the first 2-4 hours after ingestion
• Affected dogs show early restlessness and enhanced activity
• Increased urination
• Advanced signs include stiffness, excitement, and seizures
Examples of products with high methylxanthine concentrations include:
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Product
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Methylxanthines(mg/oz)
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Cacao bean
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400-1500
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Baking chocolate
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450
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Semi-sweet chocolate
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260
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Milk chocolate
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60
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Hot chocolate
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12
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White chocolate
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1
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Minimum lethal dosage of caffeine and theobromine in dogs ranges from 100-200 mg/kg. One-quarter ounce of baking chocolate or 2 ounces of mild chocolate per kilogram of body weight is a potential lethal dosage in dogs. Thus, 1 pound of milk chocolate or four ounces of baking chocolate could be lethal to a 16 pound dog.
Take home message:
Please keep chocolate away from your pet. If your pet eats chocolate, please call your veterinarian immediately.
Acute Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed and the digestive enzymes stored in the pancreas are activated within the pancreas.
Breed predilections:
• Miniature schnauzers
• Miniature poodle
• Cocker spaniel
• Siamese cats
• Laborador retrievers
Predominant sex:
• Female
Systems affected:
• Gastrointestinal- diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• Vascular- dehydration
• Other signs- depression, anorexia, lethargy
Causes:
• High fat meals -TURKEY SKIN, HAM, GRAVY....you get the idea
• Certain drugs
• Trauma
• Tumors
Risk factors:
• Obesity
• Presence of other diseases
• Recent drug administration
Take home message:
Please do not feed your pet table scraps, especially those high in fat. If you notice any of the signs listed above, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
Linear Foreign Bodies
Examples:
• String
• Tinsel
• Yarn
Signs to look for:
• vomiting
• lethargy
• pawing at mouth
• excess salivation
• tender abdomen
Etiology:
The string (yarn or tinsel) often will get attached at one point, such as looped around the tongue or in the stomach, but the body will attempt to pass the rest of it. Often what happens is the intestinal tract will "accordion up". When this happens there is a potential that the string will saw through the intestinal tract.
Treatment:
• Radiographs
• Hospitalization
• Surgery is usually indicated
Take home message:
Do not allow your pets to play with string, yarn, or tinsel. This problem is more common in cats but can happen in dogs as well.
Poisonous plants
Examples:
• Poinsettias
• Mistletoe
• Holly
Systems affected:
• Gastrointestinal- most plants cause irritation to the mouth and throat, vomiting and diarrhea can occur, excess salivation is common as well
• Signs are dependent upon how much of the plant was consumed
If you suspect your pet has eaten any part of these plants, please call your veterinarian immediately. Treatment will consist of inducing vomiting if it has been recently consumed. Hospitalization with fluid therapy may be indicated.
Electrocution
The holidays present another hazard to your pet that is often overlooked. The use of extension cords greatly increases over the holidays. Cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, and birds love to chew on cords. Please make sure all cords are out of reach of your pets.
Signs to look for:
• Shorted out electrical devices
• Chewed cords
If you notice either of these, please check your pet for:
• Wounds often on the lips or gums
• Singed hair
• Pet pawing at mouth
• Excess salivation
• Lethargy
• Seizures
Please call your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of the above.
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