Having a happy ( and safe ) holiday with your pets
Fall has arrived , bringing some cooler and much more pleasant weather for us and our pets . The holiday season is fast approaching . People are making their travel plans or getting ready to receive guests coming to visit for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays .
People who own dogs have some extra planning to do as they investigate options for either boarding or having sitters come to care for their companions . Holidays mean a lot for families but for pets , they can also mean a trip to the veterinarian if their owners are not careful .
“ During the holidays , we see a lot of emergencies ,” said Dr . J . Darrell Phillips , hospital administrator of Animal Emergency and Referral Center in Flowood ,
Shani Hay
an affiliate of Mississippi State University ’ s College of Veterinary Medicine . All the of the decorations , foods , plants that are introduced into the pet ’ s environment can cause some problems if an owner is not cautious . From over feeding table scraps to accidentally getting a hold of a prescription medication out of Grandma ’ s purse , the holidays can bring challenges for pet owners . Partaking of all the holiday meals , snacks and candies that are so plentiful this time of year is something most people enjoy , but the same should not be true for pets . Phillips
encourages pet owners to be careful with food , as well as ornamental plants and holiday decorations . “ We see a lot of gastrointestinal upset in pets where they have just eaten too much ,” he said . “ But a lot of things are toxic to our pets , like chocolate , grapes , raisins , and some nuts . And those things can cause serious injury and sometimes death .” The list of toxic food items include :
• Leftover cookies , pie , or cake - anything made of chocolate .
• No raisins or grapes
• Any food item prepared using alcohol .
• No xylitol or artificial sweeteners – There are plenty of recipes that add xylitol or artificial sweeteners in the name of sugar . Even a small quantity of xylitol can seriously cripple your dog .
• Avoid onions and garlic – feeding onions can lead to severe anemia .
“ While some poisonings , such as with anticoagulants and antifreeze , require minimal exposure to be lethal , the prognosis for many poisoning incidents can be improved with prompt intervention ,” said Dr . Jody Ray , assistant clinical professor at the MSU veterinary college . “ Some poisonings require immediate attention for the best possible outcome , and some may not be as time sensitive . Consulting with your veterinarian immediately in the event of a poisoning is the best option .”
Decorations , including ornamental plants , often can be the cause for holiday trips to the emergency veterinary clinic . “ It is a safe bet that most ornamental plants that folks have around during the holidays are somewhat toxic , but some very popular holiday plants are extremely toxic , such as lilies ,” Phillips said . In fact , many common holiday foods , plants , and products are quite dangerous for pets , Ray said . “ The most common poisonings reported in companion animals include human foods such as onions , chocolate , raisins , alcohol , recreational drugs and coffee ; commercial home products such as potpourri and yeast dough ; and household plants such as lilies and poinsettias ,” Ray said . Antifreeze is a common toxin this time of year , Phillips said . While most pets are exposed to antifreeze from vehicles , according to PetPoisonHelpline . com , some imported snow globes have been found to
24 • MERIDIAN LIFE