“Vet's view: Ensure your pets have a safe holiday season - USA Today” plus 1 more |
| Vet's view: Ensure your pets have a safe holiday season - USA Today Posted: 03 Dec 2010 02:51 AM PST | By Patty Khuly, Special for USA TODAY Every year it's the same thing. I read articles in typically trustworthy publications decrying the popular poinsettia plant as a highly toxic substance for pets. So much for my previous years' efforts to debunk the seemingly indelible myth of this ubiquitous, red-leafed menace. In fact, poinsettia plants (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are only mildly toxic to dogs and cats. Over the years, however, news of their extreme toxicity somehow gained legendary — if hyper-inflated — status. Only mild irritation of the mouth, stomach or skin is to be expected — that is, only if direct contact with or ingestion of this substance occurs. Which I've come to believe is kind of rare, given my paltry caseload of poinsettia cases. I'm sure there are some out there, but I've never seen an example of poinsettia-related toxicosis. And after querying about five of my colleagues, I stopped trying to identify an example. Too bad the poinsettia thing isn't the only example of holiday toxin misinformation. Lots more abounds, according to the veterinarians at the Pet Poison Helpline, which every year issues a friendly reminder of all things indulgence-worthy or just plain worth avoiding on behalf of your pets during the holiday season. Toxicly overexposed, is how I tend to view the season. Add in the hysteria over the million and one things you just have to do before the end of the month, and it's no wonder more pets aren't permanently scarred from the stress, if not from the poisonous substances and other holiday hazards. Here's where I remind you that your dog's crate and your cat's "safe room" are neither cruel nor difficult to implement solutions to the problem of holiday exposure to all things noxious. But in case Murphy's Law should prevail, here's my list of "must-knows": •Mistletoe. This "kissing" plant also is erroneously famed for its toxicity. Sure, it can cause irritation and indigestion similar to the poinsettia plant, but it's not to be expressly avoided (not that we get any of the real stuff around these parts). •Lilies (tiger, Asiatic, stargazer, day and Easter varieties). These are highly toxic to cats. The petals, leaves and pollen can cause kidney failure. •Christmas cactus and English holly. Serious GI upset can result in both dogs and cats. Though death is very unlikely, having them around probably isn't worth the risk. • Fruitcake. Between the alcohol and the raisins, I'm not sure which is more toxic to dogs. Alcohol can cause a drop in blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Raisins can sometiemes cause acute kidney failure. Either way, it's a canine no-no. • Liquid potpourri. Popular around this time of the year for their cinnamony scents, these heated oil-based household enhancements can prove deadly to cats. Severe chemical burns to the mouth, plus fever, difficulty breathing and tremors, can result. • Sugar-free goods. Don't forget the serious hazard posed by the sugar substiture called xylitol. This all-natural sweetener may be great for helping diabetics control their blood sugar. Yet gram for gram, they're the most dog-toxic ingredient on our supermarket shelves. Chocolate and high-fat fare? Tinsel and other comestible ornaments? Electrified cords? Beware all. But go ahead and decorate with poinsettia-laced, red-petaled abandon. Kiss carelessly under a brimming clutch of mistletoe. And feel free to overindulge in all that fruitcake (I always do), just be sure to restrict its consumption to your two-legged family members. But if your pets should find themselves deep in the weeds after contacting or ingesting something they shouldn't have, call your veterinarian immediately. Short of that, call the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680 or any other poison-control service reserved specifically for pets. Have a happy and safe holiday season! Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residents look to adopting pets for comfort in tough times - San Jose Mercury News Posted: 02 Dec 2010 08:38 PM PST |
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