Page 11 - Stuart Exposure - December '19

Stuart Exposure, Page 11

Tip oF THe TaiL

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