Seasonal Tips Archives

Winter 2009 - 2010

Holiday Hazards

With the holidays fast approaching, your friends at Tender Heart Veterinary Care would like to remind our clients about some edible dangers to your pets. We feel there can never be too much mention of the dangers certain food products pose for our four-legged family members. And don’t forget there are toxic holiday plants, as well as items you question what their appeal might be! Below is a list of some edible dangers: these of the foods warrant a call to poison control. While some are widely known, others may be rather surprising. The non-food items may call for a trip here or to one of the emergency clinics, as any of them may need to be surgically removed.

If your pet is showing any symptoms or you’re just concerned, call Pet Poison Hotline at 800/213-6680. There is a fee of $35 payable by credit card. You will be given a case number, so if your pet needs follow-up with us, we are able to access the necessary information directly from the hotline.

Alcoholic drinks can result in ethanol poisoning. Some symptoms to watch for include ataxia (inability to control movement) and general weakness or lethargy.

Bones can cause a multitude of health issues for your pets. Cooked bones can splinter, causing damage to the mouth, throat, and of course the digestive system. Uncooked bones as well can splinter, or get caught anyplace during their passage through your pet. Dental chews are a good alternative to any type of bone for both dogs and cats.

Chocolate has varying levels of toxicity. The general rule is, the darker the chocolate, the higher the level of theobromine, which means the potential for greater toxicity. (White chocolate has little poisoning potential.) Look for restlessness, panting and possibly increased heart rate. Extreme cases can develop neurological symptoms and can lead to death if untreated.

Coffee can also be toxic; this includes grounds and espresso beans. You may notice hyperactivity which could progress into convulsions. Your pet could also become comatose, which often leads to death.

Fruitcakes contain raisins, and as mentioned below, can compromise the kidneys.

Grapes and Raisins cause kidney failure!

Ham, while tasty, is not good for your pets. The fatty parts especially can lead to pancreatitis, which can often be fatal. Watch for vomiting, refusal to eat, a painful abdomen, or diarrhea.

Hops from making homemade ale can cause symptoms of malignant hyperthermia. Sighthounds (greyhounds, whippets, Afghan hounds, etc.) are especially vulnerable.

Macadamia Nuts cause temporary rear limb ataxia and paralysis.

Moldy or spoiled food can cause mycotoxin or aflatoxin poisoning. Keep your garbage cans in a place that pets cannot access. If you suspect your pet has eaten spoiled food call poison control immediately.

Onions, chives, garlic, leeks and shallots can result in Heinz body anemia. Blood transfusions can sometimes become necessary; in some cases this can be fatal. Note that powdered and dehydrated versions of these can be as toxic as fresh!

Salt (and rock salt or modeling dough) causes hypernatremia, an electrolyte abnormality. Extreme cases can lead to kidney failure and pulmonary edema. Look for vomiting and diarrhea, depression or lethargy, then seizures followed by a coma. Note that these symptoms can take 4-7 days to develop.

Xylitol as an artificial sweetener can cause hypoglycemia (abnormally low blood-sugar) and serious liver effects.

Yeast dough, as it’s rising, can result in ethanol toxicity, leading to the same type of symptoms mentioned in alcohol poisoning.

and for some dangerous non-food items…

Angel Hair Tinsel, Tinsel, and Garlands can easily move through your pet’s digestive tract and cause blockages. Watch for lethargy, vomiting, and an unwillingness to eat or drink. Holly, Mistletoe, and Poinsettias can all be toxic to your pet. Discourage them from sampling these toxic plants by keeping them high enough that your pet cannot reach them. If you spot your animals nibbling on any of these, monitor them closely for signs of distress. Ornament hooks from your Christmas tree also have some unknown appeal to pets. Keep items like this out of reach if you want to avoid foreign-body surgery! So, if you really want to relax and enjoy the holiday season, try your very best to keep your pets away from these items. Offer your dog or cat Greenies, CET Chews, and other treats made specifically for pets if you want to give them a special holiday present! Visit Tender Heart Veterinary Care to purchase any of these products.

Summer 2008

HOT WEATHER TIPS

(source: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle. Even with the windows open, a parked car, truck or van can quickly become a furnace on a hot day - and overheating (heat prostration) can kill an animal. Parking in the shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the day.
Always carry a gallon of cold water and a bowl for your pet.
Don't force your animal to exercise after a meal in hot, humid weather. Exercise in the early morning or the evening, and keep walks to a minimum.
Never leave your dog standing on hot asphalt. His body can heat up quickly and his or her sensitive paw pads can burn.
Do not take an animal to the beach unless you can provide a shaded spot and plenty of fresh water to drink. Rinse him or her off after being in the salt water.
It's smart to provide plenty of shade and a well-constructed doghouse for animals staying outside. Bring your dog inside during the hottest part of the day, and make sure he has plenty of cool water. Keep cats indoors.
Be extra sensitive to old and overweight animals in hot weather. Snub-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and Shih-tzus, as well as those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible. Persian and Himalayan cats and cats with the above medical issues should be treated likewise.
Avoid walking your dog in areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. Be alert for coolant or other automotive fluids leaking from your vehicle. Animals (dogs and cats both) are attracted to the sweet taste, and ingesting just a small amount can be fatal. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888/4ANIHELP if you suspect that your animal has been poisoned.
Bring your animal to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up, including a heartworm test for your dog if he's not on year-round preventative medication. Ask your doctor to recommend a safe pest-control program to combat fleas and ticks.
Keep your animal wel-groomed to stave off summer skin problems. Shaving a heavy-coated dog's hair to a one-inch length helps prevent overheating. Don't shave the hair down to the skin, however, or you will rob your pet of protection from the sun. Cats should be brushed often.
To prevent escape and accidental falls, make sure all windows in your home are properly screened.

Spring 2008

Prevent Parasite Infestation in your cat with Feline Revolution!

We at Tender Heart Veterinary Care would like to make you aware of a serious threat to feline welfare: parasites! Many people with cats think that parasite protection for their pets is unnecessary. Unfortunately, that is not true. The fact is, all cats, indoor and outdoor alike, can be at risk for a whole host of parasitic infections. Cats are exposed not just to irritating pests like fleas and ear mites, but also to more serious threats like heartworm disease, hookworm and roundworm. In the case of hookworm or roundworm, this can pose a serious threat not just for your cat, but for your family as well.

Fortunately, parasitic infections can be easily prevented. A broad-spectrum parasite preventative applied once monthly not only protects both your cat and your family, but it provides peace-of-mind. Perhaps that is why both the Centers for Disease Control and the Companion Animal Parasite Council recommend that protective measures against parasite infection become standard practice. We all need to join in the fight to ensure that no more cats go without proper protection.

We hope you'll agree that when it comes to parasites, prevention is the best medicine. That is why we recommend Feline Revolution for all of our feline companion animals. Revolution protects cats against fleas, heartworm disease, ear mites, hookworms, and roundworms; by doing so, it protects your home from flea infestation and your family from internal parasites that may be transmitted from your cat. Please join us in helping to prevent these threats.

Fall 2007

As summer comes to an end, we want to make sure our pets are kept safe for the winter.

Make sure your pets are not allowed access to hazardous chemicals such as antifreeze and other common chemicals found in garages.
Please be sure to use paw/pet safe salt when de-icing your walks and driveways.
Outdoor pets should always have access to adequate shelter and warmth.
Outdoor water dishes should be changed often to ensure that water is available and to prevent ice formation.

We wish everyone a safe Fall and Winter!