Apple picking, hayrides, Jack-o-lanterns, costumes and
trick-or-treat candy. Happy Halloween! The following tips can help keep
our loyal family pet safe. Fido and Fancy will fair
beautifully, given their own space and no opportunity to share in the sweet
edibles (and wrappers) gleaned from our children’s ghoulish adventures.
CHOCOLATE:
Delicious to
us, toxic to our pets due to theobromine, a type of methylxanthine. Darker
chocolates cause more harm than milk or white chocolate. Symptoms vary
from vomiting and diarrhea to irregular heart rhythms and seizures. Dogs’
powerful noses allow them to uncover unopened bags and boxes of chocolates in
places owners would otherwise consider inaccessible. Chocolate is a
powerful motivator: caution!
CANDY: High sugar and fat may
cause significant imbalance to the digestive system, including the pancreas. Owners may see diarrhea (possibly with blood), vomiting, abdominal pain
and fever. Symptoms may be immediate or delayed by a couple of days.
CANDY
WRAPPERS, RIBBON, PACKAGING: Packing materials may cause blockages in the stomach and
intestinal tract, a potentially life threatening condition. Symptoms may
include vomiting, decreased energy, no stool production and decreased appetite.
RAISINS: Raisins and grapes may
create significant kidney damage. Good for your kids, bad for your pets! Please keep raisin treat bags away from your cats and dogs. If
known ingestion occurs, please call your veterinarian immediately. Do not
wait for symptoms to occur. Symptoms may include vomiting, decreased
appetite, discomfort, kidney failure.
XYLITOL: Present in many sugar-free gums and in low-calorie snacks, xylitol may cause kidney damage and failure, significant abdominal discomfort, severe low blood sugar and liver damage.
GLOW
STICKS: Cats! Cats are especially attracted to glow sticks (as are some dogs). The contents may cause pain and irritation of their mouths if they
puncture the stick. Though not life threatening, exposure would likely
cause profuse drooling and foaming at the mouth, and a big mess!
Early detection and treatment are the key elements in speedy
recoveries.
We like to err on the
side of caution; it pays to be aware of potential hazards. There are several levels of care, from simple
vigilance, to online research, to phone support, to veterinarian care. You are
your pet’s caregiver, and we hope we have provided some valuable information to
file away during this fun time of year.
If you cannot
contact your regular veterinarian, consider calling the National Animal Poison
Control Center (1-800-548-2423; $65 per call) to speak directly with a
veterinary poison specialist. Of course, have the contact information for
your pet’s primary doctor on hand for ease of access.
Happy Halloween to all!
Courtesy of:
Norwich Regional Animal Hospital
Jennifer
Lesser, DVM
www.norwichanimal.com, 802.296.CARE (2273)
