[CorkyMax]

Stories From Our Clinic: About a Dog and Chocolate

Most dog lovers know about the dangers of chocolate but as this is Christmas time and lots of chocolate around---This is a good reminder to be careful that your dog doesn't manage to get a hold of some. The darker the chocolate and the smaller the dog--the more deadly it could be. Especially note in this story that you shouldn't put a present where the dog could get a hold of it if you are unaware what may be wrapped! And if you wrap a present of chocolate for someone else----Make sure their dog doesn't get a chance to grab it----because they are unaware of it being chocolate!

On another holiday note: Remember that poinsettas are poisonous to dogs also. And keep the mistletoe out of their way too!

Hey! I just got this message in an email from my vet:
Holiday hazard How to keep your pet safe

Electric cords Keep all electric cords securely taped down or out of reach of your pet. Dogs and cats may chew dangling wires and be burned or electrocuted.

Ornaments Hang ornaments out of reach of your pet. Dogs, especially, may eat ornaments or wire hangers, which can get caught in the stomach and intestines.

Chocolate Keep all holiday foods away from your pet. Chocolate contains ingredients (e.g., caffeine) that can be lethal to dogs and cats.

Tinsel, ribbon,
and string Make sure these are kept out of reach and properly disposed of. If swallowed, any of these can require emergency surgery to remove. Tinsel also has sharp edges that can cut the mouth.

Lilies, other flowers,
and houseplants Prevent your pets from eating plants or flower arrangements. Lilies are very poisonous to cats.

Christmas tree Put the tree in a pet-safe room or monitor your pet when he or she is around the tree. Dogs and cats may eat the needles (even from artificial trees) or drink the water at the base of the tree, which can be toxic (especially if it contains preservatives or fertilizer!)


In many cases, if your pet has eaten or drunk something toxic, warning signs will include gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Other signs may include tiredness and lack of appetite, especially in cats that have eaten lilies. If your pet shows any of these signs, or if you think he or she has eaten something dangerous but is not showing any signs yet, please call your vet right away. Treating your pet as soon as possible is essential!

[lange]

I'd been worried about the Christmas tree. I went w/an artificial tree this year not to temp her too much just yet. With new dogs you never know until you watch them. Thankfully Kuma is not interested. What surprises me even MORE is that she actually leaves the tissue paper in the gift bags alone! haha Just this morning I left her out &about, unsupervised, for the FIRST time while I dropped my son off at school! Came home, looked around & everything is just as is should be. YAY!

[petsrule]

Thanks for the holiday safety tips.

I'm always afraid that my dogs will eat the needles that fall off the tree. They're older dogs but once in awhile they have their "puppy bursts."

[CorkyMax]

May be repeats here but some new things too!
Holiday Don’ts

• Some common holiday plants are toxic to cats and dogs. Don’t keep holly, poinsettias, lilies or mistletoe on or near the floor, where pets have easy access to them.

• If you have a live tree in your home, don’t let pine needles accumulate on the floor, as these needles can perforate the intestinal lining of dogs and cats. Additionally, trees should be tethered to a wall or the ceiling to prevent them from falling on pets.

• Don’t leave unfamiliar extension cords fully exposed, as these can resemble chew toys, which could result in serious injury to your dog. Hide the cords if possible. Don’t leave lights plugged in when you are not at home.

• Don’t let your companion animals have access to holiday tree water, as it quickly becomes stagnant and can contain harmful chemicals or bacteria.

• If you are decorating with tinsel, hang it out of reach of your pets, especially cats, as they are known to eat tinsel, which can result in intestinal distress.

Holiday Do’s

• This is a good time of the year to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors. This helps to ensure the safety of the home and also avoids alarming your companion animals, as low batteries will often set off alerts that can scare your pets.

• Do your gift wrapping on an elevated surface, where your pets cannot access (and thereby ingest) string, paper and ribbons that can cause intestinal blockages.

• Encourage your holiday guests to refrain from feeding your companion animals human food, as this can result in diarrhea, vomiting and illness.

• During the stress of the holidays, companion animals may drink more water, so be extra alert to providing this basic necessity.

• Post your vet’s phone number in a prominent location, like your refrigerator. This provides easy access to necessary information for anyone visiting your home, should a problem arise.

Pet Tip - Christmas Tree Sense

Christmas trees are beautiful, but require extra attention when you have a pet. When decorating the tree, hang breakable and small ornaments or tinsel out of your dog or cat's reach. Do not place a food gift under the tree or popcorn garland on the tree, because your curious pet may claim it. Do not allow your parrot near the tree. They have been known to bite into tree light cords and electrocute themselves! Also, do not put chemicals in the tree water -- they can be harmful. By covering your tree stand tightly with skirting, your pet cannot drink the tree water, which may contain dirt or loose bark. Be sure your dog or cat has access to plenty of fresh, clean water in its normal water bowl.

[CorkyMax]

Alcohol: At best, it can make your pet sick. At worst, it can put a pet in a coma or respiratory failure.
. Pot pourri: According to the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA | The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or (888) 426-4435), pot pourri intoxication affects about 90% cats and 10% dogs, simply because cats have an easier time reaching them on countertops and tables. The danger seems greatest with "simmer pots" type pot-pourri. Pets may lick the heated liquid, or liquid spilled from a bumped pot. They can have burns on their skin, or erosions in their mouth. The essential oils can cause skin or GI irritation, as well as central nervous system (ie brain) depression.
. Macadamia nuts: They can cause tremors, leg weakness or paralysis. Legs can be swollen and painful.
. Mistletoe: The berries can cause GI upset (vomiting, nausea, diarrhea), heart problems and lethargy.
. Onions: They can cause anemia, or a low red blood cell count, in cats or dogs. Onions, whether fresh, dehydrated, raw or cooked, contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate. By the way, garlic also contains thiosulphate, but it seems that it is less toxic. Large amounts would be needed to cause intoxication.
Onion poisoning starts with gastroenteritis, -vomiting and diarrhea. When anemia occurs, pets have a tough time breathing because they can't get enough oxygen on board.

Holiday Meal precautions
. Resist the urge to share rich, unusual dishes with your pet. And explain this to your guests who may not know. Fatty foods can cause pancreatitis, or irritation of the pancreas, which causes pain and vomiting. Sure enough, our emergency treated (at least) one patient for pancreatitis the day after Thanksgiving...
. Your pets may be tempted by your delicious holiday meal, lock them away so no food mysteriously disappears. Don't leave food unattended on counters and tables. It only takes a second! This is especially true for pets with sensitive stomachs or allergies. Beware of garbage scavengers. Just one exception can mess up a diet. And please trust me, your pet truly does not care about Christmas!
. Similarly, avoid bones, poultry skin, drippings, spicy foods etc.
. Be aware of silly things pet could eat like toothpicks, twisty-ties etc.
. Be aware that a door or a gate left open is a tempting invitation for pets who may escape.
. Guests, visitors, kids... There are many sources of stress and overexcitement for pets. It may be wise to lock your pet in a quiet room, away from the commotion.
. Nuts: Generally speaking, nuts can block intestines, especially in cats and small dogs, who logically have a smaller intestine. As mentioned above, Macadamia nuts are toxic!

[OreoCookieMom]

These are all fantastic reminders! Many of them, most people wouldn't even think about. Thanks