Holiday Hazards

Please be sure to keep your pets safe during the holidays! Tinsel and garland can be hazardous to animals that ingest them. Kittens often have a fascination with the shiny tinsel from Christmas Trees. They may ingest a piece which can cut the inside of the intestines. Try to avoid tinsel and garland on your tree. It is also helpful to keep fragile and other delicate ornaments high up on the tree! In this issue A Message From Dr. Crowley Read the article. In the News Read the article. Holiday Hazards Read the article. In Memorium News Archives If very young kittens are in the home this Christmas, don’t forget to stabilize the tree so it won’t tip over when they try to climb to the top! Professional fasteners are available although you can often fasten something out of rope and a wall fixture. Chocolate is another holiday hazard. Even small doses of rich chocolates can cause harm due to the caffeine and theobromine (a stimulant) that is found in chocolate. Signs of chocolate toxicity can include vomiting, restlessness, excess urination, hyperactivity and rapid breathing. If you have caught your pet ingesting chocolate, try to determine the type of chocolate ingested (for example, baking chocolate vs a flavored chocolate) and contact your veterinarian to determine if the dose was sufficient to cause any problem.( Picture of chocolate) Poinsettia These popular holiday plants have been off and on the list of toxic plants for years. According to the poinsettia website 1-800-poinsettias.com, they are not poisonous. Other resources note however that they can cause gastrointestinal upset including vomiting and diarrhea if ingested. It is best to keep them out of reach of curious pets! Antifreeze The cold weather is definitely upon us! Be sure to fix any antifreeze leaks as well as store the product away from pets and children. Antifreeze has a sweet taste and is lethal even in small quantities. If you suspect your pet has ingested ANY amount, please contact your veterinarian immediately. There are now drugs available to treat ingestion if caught early. As with any poison or concern, you can contact the National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-900-680-0000(billed to your phone) or 1-800-548-2423 (billed to a credit card). Be safe and enjoy!