Page 11 - Palm City Spotlight - December '19

Palm City Spotlight, Page 11

tiP oF the taiL

Pet Safety For The Holiday eat that lead to partial or complete blockage of their
Season gastrointestinal tract. We have seen animals that have
ingested needles, fish hooks, rocks, a spoon and even
razor blades. These objects can get stuck anywhere from
Pet safety is especially important during the holiday the mouth and lips, all the way to their back end. Pay
season. We must remember our four-legged and winged special attention to plastic toys, especially those with
family members. Holiday festivities present situations small removable parts, strings or loose wires. Batteries
which can be hazardous to your pet, so a little precaution are caustic and potentially highly toxic. They can cause
is necessary for making this season a happy time for obstructions or lead to chemical burns. Linear foreign
everyone. You may be surprised by what your pets can bodies are among the most dangerous we encounter!
get into during the holidays, but your veterinarian won’t Strings, tinsel and ribbons can obstruct or even cut
be. We have seen almost everything! Plants, gifts and through the intestines. Tree ornaments can result in cuts.
decorations are just a few of the seemingly harmless They can be swallowed whole or contain toxic dyes or
things that can change a celebration into an emergency chemicals. Crayons, markers and pencils are usually
trip to the veterinarian. non-toxic, especially if made for children, but can result
If there is one rule, we should follow this time of in vomiting or diarrhea. eat. Mistletoe is very toxic and can cause intestinal upset,
year … this is it: Anything they can swallow, they will Many things can be poisonous, including plants, heart arrhythmias, breathing problems, seizures or a
swallow! Obstructive foreign bodies are things our pets decorations and even foods that are safe for people to coma. All of the plant, especially the berries, is poisonous.
Holly is moderately to very toxic, especially berries and
leaves, and results in severe vomiting and diarrhea or
nervous system depression. Poinsettias and all parts of
the Christmas tree are only mildly toxic.
Decorations are beautiful, but potentially dangerous
to our pets. Snow spray, fireplace colors (fire salts) and
Angel Hair (spun glass) are only slightly toxic. The fluid
in bubbling lights (methylene chloride) can be lethal if
inhaled or ingested in large amounts. Tree preservative
varies in toxicity by brand, so read the label carefully.
New tinsel is non-toxic, but in the past, it contained
poisons such as metallic cyanide. So be careful if your
decorations have been passed down from relatives.
Chocolate isn’t just dangerous to our waistline; it is
dangerous to our pets. The danger varies with the type of
chocolate. Unsweetened baker’s chocolate is the worst,
then milk chocolate, and white chocolate is the least.
Toxicity can range from an upset stomach to neurologic
signs such as tremors to coma and even death. Coffee
contains caffeine and theobromine which is harmful to
pets and can cause acceleration of heart rate and breathing
or even seizures. Bread dough and other yeast products
can produce alcohol and cause intoxication. Dough
can also block the intestinal tract or cause bloating.
Macadamia nuts can cause increased body temperature,
muscle stiffness, increased heart rate and tremors. Pets
seem to be attracted to alcohol, so don’t leave drinks
unattended. It is no joke to get a pet drunk; and serious
intoxications have occurred. Small amounts of antifreeze
can be fatal. Potpourri/potpourri oil can cause severe
burns and ingestion can affect the nervous system.
A few other, often overlooked, dangers include
electric shock from chewing on Christmas lights or other
electrical cords and traumatic injuries from cats climbing
trees or children climbing pets.
Holiday festivities can get stressful. You should
provide a special quiet place to which your pet can retreat
when the excitement gets too stressful (Sometimes, you
may want to join him!). Family and guests are coming
and going, so watch out for open doors and windows to
prevent pets from escaping. Be sure your pet has a collar
with tags or a microchip. Discourage visitors from feeding
your pets treats; we want our pets to enjoy the holiday
season with us – not with vomiting and diarrhea.
The Palm City Animal Medical Center wishes you all
a very happy and healthy holiday season.
Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center
Call Now for Your is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your
AC TUNE-UP pets. With focuses on compassionate care in surgery,
physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative medicine,
extensive diagnostics, and emergency service, Palm City
Animal Medical Center combines exceptional medical
care with a caring philosophy for pets and their owners.
For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit www.
palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.

673 SW Carter Avenue, Port Saint Lucie, Florida 34983
www.millerscentralair.com

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