Holiday Hazards
Well, the holidays are upon us. I think a new record was set when I heard a Christmas tree commercial in October listening to a baseball game on the radio. Along with all of the holiday festivities comes the need to be increasingly aware of substances that can be harmful to our pets.
As always, this column is meant to provide some basic information to help you avoid problems. If one should arise, please seek medical help even if you think you know the answers to your questions. Call us directly or if we are closed an emergency clinic or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center can answer many questions regarding poisons. Their number is 1-888-4ANI-HEL(P) or 1-888-426-4435.
When having guests to your home, make sure all purses, luggage and/or medicine-containing vials are kept away from your pets. Pets will get into anything and human medications can be very harmful, especially in large quantities.
Other common items found around the holidays can also be harmful to your pets. Christmas tree water can harbor bacteria and cause some mild vomiting or diarrhea. Poinsettias, holly and canned snow are also prone to causing some gastrointestinal irritation.
Items that can cause more than mild intestinal irritation include some species of mistletoe, potpourri, ice melting chemicals and batteries. Always remember to call for advice if your animal gets into anything listed here before attempting medical treatment. For example, vomiting chocolate is a good thing because we want it out of the animal’s system. On the other hand, vomiting batteries is a bad idea because the acid may cause burning of the esophagus and could also be aspirated into the lungs causing severe lung damage.
Holiday items that can cause severe problems include alcohol, chocolate, antifreeze (with ethylene glycol), human medications and candy or gum containing xylitol. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that can cause liver damage and dangerously low blood sugar in dogs.
Avoidance of problems is obviously the best, but just in case, make sure you have a few common items on hand. Firstly, have a fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide and a turkey baster in your home. If poured into the sink, hydrogen peroxide should bubble. The bubbling action in an animal’s stomach causes the nausea that can make them vomit. Again, do not induce vomiting unless advised to do so by a medical professional. If called for, having the peroxide and a baster to administer down the back of the mouth will save time.
Secondly, if your pet gets into something with a label, please bring it along to the animal hospital or have it near you while you are on the phone with the hospital. It will often contain crucial information that will help guide a professional in the treatment of your pet.
We hope that you never need to use this information!
Dr. Huffman
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