Thoughts about pets and holidays abound as we prepare for the festive food-a-thons about to come. A predictable flood of sick animals with food and toxin related problems will be upon us. Our column this month is a potpourri of potential problems that can arise during the holidays.
Well meaning owners and relatives create painful stomachs in their companions by indulging them with human snacks. Table food is the primary cause of upset stomachs in dogs and cats. However, bones get lodged in mouths, stomachs, and intestines all too often. Did I ever tell you about the marrow bone that I had to saw free with a hack saw blade from around the jaw of dog at midnight? Keep garbage lids closed and watch the food on the counters. In addition to allergic reactions to pork, turkey, and tuna, "chocolate" (especially baking chocolate) is a major culprit. Foods typically cause skin reactions, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Toxins in stored leftover meats and high fat foods teem with chemicals and organisms that can damage and severely inflame the pancreas.
I once received a call from a frantic Beagle owner, "Doctor, I just left Louis in the car for 5 minutes. The sweet thing ate the entire bag of candy kisses (wrappers included). What should I do?" Another call.... "My dog ate the entire box of Russell Stover's. Is that bad?" Less than 1 ounce of chocolate per pound of body weight can cause illness. Naturally, it would be worse for a Chihuahua than a Doberman to eat an ounce of chocolate. Baker's chocolate is 10 times more toxic than regular chocolate. Signs of chocolate intoxication include vomiting (first), diarrhea, excessive urination, hyperactivity and restlessness, rapid heart rate, wobbly stance, tremors, seizures, and coma. Keep your chocolate under lock and key .... We do, but not because of pets!
Things other than food commonly cause problems during the Christmas season. Candles, ornaments, tinsel, and styrofoam can be a source of mechanical irritation and have been known to become stuck in the stomach, intestines, and respiratory tract. A few Christmas's ago I removed a cassette tape from around the tongue of a cat. The cassette tape had also strangled a section of the small intestine which we removed surgically. Watch out for tinsel and strings of popcorn.
Plant toxicity is not as clearly defined. Some plants have more than one toxic component. Levels of toxins in plants vary with factors such as environment, month, and even year. Due to the lack of specific tests for many plant toxins, it is very hard to predict what the outcome of eating plants will be.
Items to be Careful of, Especially During the Holidays
| Item |
Toxicity |
Signs to Look For |
| Calla Lilly |
Mild to Moderate |
G.I. upset, oral irritation |
| Easter Lilly |
Moderate to High (esp. cats) |
Vomiting, loss of appetite, Acute Kidney Failure |
| Greens |
Low (balsam, pine, juniper, fir) |
Contact Dermatitis, G.I. upset
Conjunctivitis |
| Holly |
Moderate to High (berry and leaf can be fatal) |
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
dehydration, Central Nervous System Depression |
| Poinsettia |
Mild (Leaves and Stem) |
Chemical skin/mouth irritation, Secondary allergic problems |
| Battery |
High |
Obstruction, internal damage
from caustic agents |
| Light Bulbs |
Moderate (hydrocarbon) |
Depression, Seizure,
liver and kidney damage |
| Tree Preserve |
Moderate |
G.I. upset, vomiting |
| Fireplace Color |
Moderate |
Seizure, G.I. upset, vomiting |
| Electric Cord |
High |
Burns, Shock, Death | |
Holiday gifts are another area of concern. Select large, sturdy toys that can hold up to chewing and tearing. Cats like ping-pong balls and things with cat nip stuffed inside. Scratching posts are good ideas. Rubber toys and bones are great for dogs of all sizes.
The bottom line is to do the best that you can to "pet proof" your house. Use common sense and don't hesitate to call your Veterinarian or Animal Emergency Clinic if you don't know what to do. Keep the number of a local or regional Poison Control Center handy. Enjoy the holidays!
Mark W. Richards, MS, PhD, DVM