Halloween Season Pet's Ghouls and Goblins!

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)