News from the Visiting Vet

Holiday Hazards For Pets Part 2

The November newsletter article covered some of the food type hazards pets are exposed to over the holidays. This newsletter will cover some of the other hazards of the season including the following list:

Antifreeze
Batteries
Christmas Tree Preservative
Holiday decorations
Holiday Plants
Ice Melts
Liquid Potpourris
Medications

Antifreeze kills many pets each year. A 1 tablespoon spill of antifreeze can kill a 10 lb cat! Take your pet to the vet immediately even if you only suspect an exposure to antifreeze. Symptoms of toxicity include seizures, vomiting, stumbling and lethargy.

Batteries for new toys are a potential obstruction risk and can cause stomach or intestinal corrosion.

Avoid using Christmas Tree Preservative in the water under a live tree. It can cause vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Holiday decorations such as tinsel, ribbons, glass or plastic ornaments can cause obstruction or gastric upsets. Keep out of the reach of pets.

Holiday Plants are a potential risk to pet health. The popular Poinsettia and Christmas Cactus can cause gastrointestinal upsets if ingested. Elderly pets and pets with other medical conditions would be most affected. Mistletoe is very toxic to pets and can cause vomiting, depression, low blood pressure, and cardiac collapse. A large quantity of Holly would need to be eaten to affect a dog or cat. It has a very bitter taste. Signs of toxicity would be GI upset and depression.
Ice Melts are irritating to the skin of pets and ingestion of ice melt can cause salt toxicity. Store ice melts out of the reach of pets and wipe off their paws after they have been outdoors.
Liquid Potpourris can cause oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal ulceration if ingested. They may also irritate the skin.
Medications Holiday visitors may forget to keep medications safely out of the reach of pets. Do not let visitors keep medication on bedside tables, or in luggage pets can reach.
Please pay attention to potential pet hazards in your home and have a safe and happy holiday season.
For the first part of this article and other previous newsletters visit our web site.

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