Hark! Those Holiday Pet Perils
Other commonly understood concerns come with tinsel ingestion, various Christmas plants such as holly, lilies and especially mistletoe (very toxic). Poinsettias are not the culprit they get the reputation for but can still cause a curious cat severe gastrointestinal upset. Antifreeze is something very tempting to almost all pets because of its sweet taste- beware of its toxicity! Less than - 18 - CottageDog - December 2010
Some less commonly know issues arise with seemingly inconspicuous items such as electrical cords (severe oral burns and electrocution from chewing), battery ingestion (deep burns, metal toxicity and potential intestinal blockage), candles being knocked over and fireplace hazards. Even the Christmas tree itself can pose a serious risk when not properly anchored, with cats climbing after the lure of tinsel or ornaments or big Fido pushing his way underneath.
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Those bowls of mixed nuts cousin Eddie always asks for can be of concern too. Macadamia nuts have the potential to cause toxemia and even the bread dough and yeast used for the warm loaf of bread for the family dinner, if stolen by the family pet, can quickly lead to fermentation within the stomach. The associated signs of bloating and the potential for a serious stomach issue called gastric dilatation volvulus may occur. Usually more concerning is the absorption of the ethanol alcohol, produced through fermentation, leading to intoxication and severe electrolyte imbalances.
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Chocolate is often discussed around Christmas and rightfully so. Although at my house my wife’s baking goes primarily into my tummy and certainly does not last long, we are always aware of the stealthlike ability of our cats to nab a tasty morsel when given the chance. Chocolate contains methylxanthine theobromine and caffeine in varying levels. Pure Cocoa and baking chocolate are the most concerning, with semi-sweet and dark chocolates still posing a considerable risk. A 10 lb dog ingesting only 1 tablespoon of cocoa is a serious medical emergency. Contrary to popular belief, milk chocolate is not as concerning unless larger volumes are ingested.
1 tablespoon is enough to cause serious irreversible harm to your cat or a small dog.
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As the Christmas season begins to ramp up and the cold weather settles in, you just cannot resist the excitement the holiday season brings. Although most people are familiar with some of the more commonly discussed pet concerns surrounding the season there are many potentially worrisome issues that pet owners should be aware of when getting ready for old Saint Nick.
Pancreatitis, in all its myriad forms, presents as a common issue to companion animal veterinarians over the holiday season in particular. Gravy, butter, turkey skin and treats often lead to the inflammation of your lovable pooch’s pancreas as they are not used to digesting such meals. Pancreatitis can take the form of mild vomiting, lethargy or diarrhea. However, there are many sad cases seen every year where irrevers-