| POISON PREVENTION AND HOLIDAY SAFETY |
| AUTUMN WORRIES Fall brings halloween candy and thanksgiving turkey. As well as for some areas-hunting hazards. Table food: While you may think you are “loving” your dog by giving him table scraps from Thanksgiving dinner, it could be very unsafe for your pet. While there’s not a “toxicity” issue from fatty table foods (such as bacon, gravy, turkey skin, grizzle, etc.), it can result in a gastroenteritis (such as a mild vomiting or diarrhea) to a severe, fatal pancreatitis. Other table food like corn-on-the-cob can result in a severe foreign body in your dog’s intestines, resulting in projectile vomiting, diarrhea, and may require an expensive intestinal surgery. Desserts made with xylitol, a natural sugar-free sweetener, or foods containing grapes or raisins can also result in toxicity. Xylitol results in an acute drop in blood sugar and even liver failure at high doses, while grapes and raisins can result in severe, fatal acute kidney failure. When in doubt, don’t let your pet get any table food! Halloween candy can lead to many of the same problems as table food and chocolate as well as pets swallowing candy wrappers. Chocolate : especially dark chocolate ones, generally spell trouble for dogs. Eating more than a taste or two of chocolate often results in vomiting and diarrhea. Ingestion of large amounts causes more serious signs. Some dogs are so greedy that they eat an entire box of candy, wrappers and all. They may need to see a veterinarian, not only for treatment of chocolate toxicity, but because the wrappers are stuck somewhere in their stomach or intestines. Hunting accidents and pets getting caught in traps is more common this time of year. Supervise your animals outside. Dog ingesting large amounts of carcass material can also lead to severe gastrointestinal problems such as pancreatitis and foreign body issues. Ethylene Glycol: Antifreeze has a pleasant taste and smell which seems to attract dogs and cats. Sadly, even small amounts can be deadly. It takes less than a teaspoonful of antifreeze to kill a small cat. Spills from leaking automobile radiators should be cleaned up immediately and antifreeze stored in an area not accessible to pets. If you keep your dog in the garage or storeroom be sure to secure antifreeze in a locked cabinet. Pets ingesting antifreeze need to see a veterinarian immediately – don't wait for signs to develop or it may be too late. Ethanol: Dogs, cats, pocket pets and even birds seem to like the taste of alcohol. It is not hard to understand why when one considers that it is often masked in creamy eggnog, sweet orange juice, or other flavorful mixes. Pets often take the opportunity to drink a cocktail or two that is left where they can access it or they may be intentionally fed alcohol for the entertainment value. Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is rapidly absorbed into the blood stream. Generally, a pet will begin to show symptoms of intoxication within the first hour of ingestion. The primary physiological effect of alcohol is central nervous system depression. The result of this can range from mild inebriation to a full coma. Ethanol intoxication can cause severe gastro-intestinal irritation with electrolyte abnormalities and metabolic acidosis. Dangerous drops in blood glucose, blood pressure and body temperature as well as seizures can occur. Ultimately, a full shutdown of the respiratory center takes place resulting in death. Due to alcohol's rapid onset of effects, it is not recommended to make your pet vomit at home. If you know that your pet has consumed an alcoholic beverage, he or she should immediately be seen by a veterinarian for supportive care. Intravenous fluids, warming measures, blood monitoring, and medications to protect the lining of the stomach will be utilized. Abnormal blood pressure, blood glucose levels, or electrolyte imbalances will be corrected. Your pet will be closely monitored for seizure activity and the proper anti-convulsants will be delivered as needed. Quick action is important. The prognosis for a full recovery will be excellent with prompt medical care. Liquid Potpourri: Simmering pots of liquid potpourri are attractive to cats. Cats are exposed by licking liquid directly from the pot or from spills from an open container. Sometimes they rub against the pot, knock it over and walk through it. Grooming the liquid from their feet and hair coat often results in exposure. Depending on the ingredients, cats may develop serious oral and gastrointestinal lesions, skin sores, and ocular burns. Medications: All medicines, both over the counter and prescription, should be kept locked or closed away from pets. Even small amounts can be deadly. Remember that the average cat is no bigger than many new born babies! Pets should not be deliberately treated with human medications as several “safe” human medications are very harmful to pets. This includes many of the over the counter pain medications, in particular aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen. As with all poisonings, early recognition and decontamination (including induction of vomiting and activated charcoal admnistration) are key to a successful outcome. Here is some basic information for you to know when dealing with these exposures. Mushrooms: There are various types of mushrooms located throughout the United States that may be non-toxic; however, other types of mushrooms may be stomach irritants, hallucinogenic, or toxic to the liver. With ingestion of any mushroom, immediate induction of vomiting is recommended, provided the animal is alert, and able to adequately protect it's upper airway. Symptoms are dependent on the species of mushroom ingested, and the pet’s own susceptibility. Early signs include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, incoordiation, CNS depression, tremors, and seizures, with liver and kidney damage occurring later. Mulch Products: Cocoa bean mulch, a byproduct of chocolate production, is the discarded hulls or shells of the cocoa bean. This mulch is frequently used for home landscaping and is often very fragrant, especially when first placed in the yard and warmed by the sun. This tempting smell of warm chocolate often attracts and encourages dogs to ingest the mulch. Through the processing procedure of creating cocoa bean mulch, much of the methylxanthine poison is removed, but still potentially contains theobromine and caffeine. All animals can be affected by methy-xanthylates, but dogs tend to have more frequent exposure opportunities to the chocolates, coffee beans and cocoa mulch that contain them. Clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, tremors, high heart rate and breathing, and potential seizures. While theobromine and caffeine (methylxanthines) can be toxic, signs are usually vomiting, diarrhea. They can progress to more vomiting, trembling, a racing heart rate, and then seizures in very high doses. Cocoa bean mulch is very unlikely to result in sudden death without showing other signs. |
