Holiday Health Hazards
This
information is not meant to be a substitute for veterinary care. Always follow
the instructions provided by your veterinarian.
The holiday season brings excitement and commotion associated with
shopping, final exams, travel, and other seasonal preparations. In all the
activities of the season our beloved pets may be exposed to hazards less
commonly found other times of the year. As homes fill with holiday spirit,
pets may be intrigued by the new sites, smells and tastes. The following
are some of the most common health concerns for your pet during the
holidays. If you have specific questions regarding any pet health concern
please contact your veterinarian.
Tinsel, Ribbon and other Pretty Things
Ribbons, wrapping paper, ornaments, tinsel, extension cords and gifts
may be appealing "chew toys" that may make your pet sick.
There is something about those shiny strands of Christmas tree décor,
which drives kitties wild. Although the sight of your cat pawing at the
tree may be cute, the ingestion of tinsel can be deadly. Eating tinsel or
other string-like items such as
ribbon (often called linear foreign bodies) can cause serious damage to the intestine. One end can get stuck
while the rest is pulled into the intestine as it contracts; the
contractions may cause the ribbon or tinsel to saw through the intestine.
If not caught in time, infection of the belly cavity develops and the
prognosis for recovery becomes poor. Pets with linear foreign bodies
quickly become ill with signs including vomiting, diarrhea, depression,
belly pain and sometimes fever.
Eating other holiday decorations can cause signs ranging from mild
depression to severe vomiting or diarrhea, depending upon whether or not
the foreign matter can be passed in the stool or gets stuck along the way.
Foreign matter stuck in the intestine often does NOT show up on
"x-ray" but sometimes the foreign matter will trap air in the
intestine, which helps your veterinarian make a diagnosis. Surgery is
required to remove foreign matter that does not pass out on its own.
Holiday Lights
Decorative lights are another attraction for pets to chew on. Both
indoor and outdoor lights should be carefully examined to ensure safety
for your household pets. Electrical shock may occur from defective cords
as well as from pets chewing on cords. Check cords for any signs of bite
marks, loose or frayed wires, proximity to the tree's water supply or
evidence of short circuits. Use grounded "3-prong" extension
cords and strictly follow manufacturer's guidelines for light usage.
Electrical shock can cause burns, difficulty breathing,
abnormal heart rhythm, loss of consciousness, and death. Call a veterinarian immediately if your pet has been injured by
electrical shock. Treatment will be most effective if begun soon after the
shock.
Water, Water...
Even though they have their own water bowel, there is something
enticing about a novel source of water; whether it's the toilet bowl or
the Christmas tree stand. If you add chemicals to the water meant to keep
your tree fresh longer, be sure to read the label to make sure it is safe
for pets.
Potpourri makes your house smell festive but may be another attraction
for pets to drink. Make sure that potpourri pots are covered or otherwise
inaccessible to pets.
It may be difficult to curb your pet's fascination with all those
pretty decorations. Child gates can be used across doorways to keep your
pet away from the Christmas tree and decorations at times they cannot be
watched.
Overindulgence
Well-intentioned family and friends may share holiday foods with pets
causing the pet to develop a stomach upset or worse,
pancreatitis
(inflammation of the pancreas) which can be caused by eating fatty foods.
To control excessive food intake by your pets and meet your guests' desires to feed the
pets, dole out the treats your pets would normally receive and let your
guests "treat" the pets. If you want to get festive, mix some of
your pet's regular food with water to make a "dough" and roll
out and cut into festive shapes, then bake until crunchy.
Extra attention from visiting relatives and friends may be relished by
some pets while others seek solitude in their favorite hiding spot. Make
sure pets are given some "personal space" if they want to get
away from the commotion.
Some pets may respond to all the hullabaloo with a change in behavior
including bad behaviors like eliminating in the house. Try to spend a
little extra "quality time" with your pet to assure them they have not
been forgotten.
Chocolate
What would the holidays be without boxes of chocolate and warm cocoa in
front of the fire? However, chocolate can be toxic or even fatal to dogs
and cats. Chocolate may be mistakenly given to pets as treats and may be irresistible to the curious canine. Chocolate poisoning occurs most
frequently in dogs but other species are also susceptible. Theobromine is
the toxic compound found in chocolate. Signs which may appear within 1 to
4 hours of eating chocolate include:
- Vomiting
- Increased thirst
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Difficulty keeping balance
- Hyperexcitability
- Muscle spasms, seizures, coma
- Death from
abnormal heart rhythm
The toxicity of chocolate depends on the amount and type of chocolate
ingested:
|
Source
|
Potential Toxic Dose (44lb dog) |
|
Unsweetened Cocoa
|
3oz |
| Baking Chocolate |
5oz |
| Semisweet Chocolate |
7oz |
| Milk
Chocolate |
20oz |
The amount of theobromine in white chocolate or chocolate flavored dog
treats is usually negligible. As with any poisoning, call your
veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital immediately if you
suspect your pet may have ingested chocolate. Have the product label
information available when you call your veterinarian. There are national
and regional poison control hotlines for animals. In general, the
treatment of poisonings is most effective if begun soon after eating the
poison, before large amounts are absorbed into the blood.
Poinsettias & Mistletoe
Pointsettas fill homes with color during the holidays. Poinsettias have
received bad publicity in the past whereas in fact, poinsettias are not
very toxic to pets. They do contain a milky sap that can irritate the
mouth but if signs develop they are usually mild.
Mistletoe can be very toxic to animals and you should seek veterinary
consultation immediately if your pet has potentially ingested any part of
the plant. Mistletoe can cause vomiting, severe diarrhea, difficult
breathing, shock and death within hours of ingestion.
There
are many species of Holly (genus Ilex) Berries and leaves can be a problem
although signs of poisonings are generally mild, and include vomiting,
belly pain, and diarrhea.
Pets as Gifts
A cute, cuddly puppy or kitten may seem to be the perfect gift but unfortunately
after the holiday season the population of animal shelters explodes with
these "surprise gifts". Owning a pet is a long-term commitment
that not every one can make.
Dealing With Death or Severe Illness over the Holidays
The holiday season hightens our emotions and can be a very difficult
time to deal with the loss or illness of a companion animal. The bond
between animals and humans is often very strong and losses can be very
painful. If you or someone you know needs support without judgment from
those who appreciate your feelings and may be able to help, please contact
the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine Pet Loss
Hotline.
From all of us at the College of Veterinary Medicine at WSU, best
wishes for a safe and happy holiday season for you and your pets.
Other Holiday & Seasonal Tips:
Cold Weather Pet Tips
Gifts
for the Pet Owner and other Holiday Tips
Prevention of Antifreeze Poisoning
Animal
Poison Control Center
Other
Poison
Control Centers
This Pet Health Topic was written by Paul Chauvin, Washington State
University, Class of 2004.
Washington State University assumes no liability for injury to
you or your pet incurred by following these descriptions or procedures.
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Last Edited: Dec 21, 2007 3:10 PM
