HOLIDAY FOODS

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate...yummm, yummm, yummm...I smell chocolate! I'm sure my “boy” put his Halloween candy back in his bottom dresser drawer like he did last year...I must find it!

This exact scenario played itself out in my own home. My son thought it would be safe to store his Halloween candy stash in his dresser. Our sweet Golden Retriever could not have thanked him enough for the goodies! We were fortunate that she did not become gravely ill from the amount of chocolate she had ingested. Yet for years afterward, she would stop in his room on a daily basis to check that drawer for more possible goodies – our four-legged friends never forget the tasty stuff!

With Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas coming up soon, we all need to be aware of the accessibility of chocolate, xylitol, and turkey bones to our pets. This includes cats, too!  Here is a list of some holiday-related toxic foods, signs of illness that relate to the ingestion of each one, and possible treatments that your veterinarian may prescribe.

Chocolate (FYI: Dark chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate!)

• Signs
• Early signs include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, increased urination, and restlessness.
• Advancing signs include lack of coordination, muscle twitching, hyperactivity, increased heart rate, and raised blood pressure. 
• Advanced signs include seizures, coma, heart arrhythmia, hyperthermia, and ultimately death.

• Treatment 
• The first thing to do is call us! (303-779-5525) Be ready to describe the signs your pet is showing--if any--and the type and quantity of chocolate you think your pet has eaten.
• You may be instructed on how to make your pet vomit, even before bringing him to the clinic. This will reduce the amount of toxins his body absorbs.
• Most pets will recover within 24 to 72 hours of supportive treatment by a veterinarian.

Xylitol (FYI: Pay extra careful attention to this if you are a diabetic or on a low carb diet. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in sugar free gums, toothpastes, and low carb baked goods and desserts.)

• Signs
• Signs of ingestion of a low dose include weakness, vomiting, staggered movements, and even seizures. The onset is very rapid and can occur in thirty minutes or even less.
• Signs of ingestion of a high dose include all of the previous signs plus a later onset of liver failure and bleeding trouble. This occurs because the liver is the main detoxifier of the blood.

• Treatment
• There is no specific treatment! If that isn't scary! The veterinarian will provide supportive care that may include intravenous fluids, blood/plasma transfusions, antibiotics, or other medications to control the problems the pet  develops.
• The outcome is often death despite dramatic measures to save the pet.
• There is no clear data on xylitol toxicity and cats. However, cats are much more sensitive to toxins then dogs, so why take the chance. Keep the candy out of reach!

 

Turkey Bones (FYI – Turkey bone trash should be brought immediately to the outside garbage can or put in a trash can with a tight fitting lid.)

• Signs of a blockage: Your pet will vomit most of what he eats or drinks – if he is eating and drinking at all. He may act depressed and lose weight if enough time is allowed to pass. Left untreated, the blockage can lead to perforation or tissue death of part of the gastrointestinal tract. Your pet may go into shock or eventually die due to complications.
• Signs of abrasion of the gastrointestinal tract: Your pet may vomit (possibly with blood), have diarrhea (also possibly containing blood), and exhibit a decreased appetite.
• Symptoms of a perforation of gastrointestinal tract: Your pet will be acting extremely ill. He may be lethargic, reluctant to get up, unable to get comfortable, and crabby about being touched in the belly. He will also probably have a very decreased appetite and may have a fever. This condition can lead to shock and even death if untreated.

• Treatment: If you know your pet has gotten into bones, call us immediately! (303-779-5525) Treatment may range from adjusting your pet’s diet to taking x-rays or even going to surgery. 

So as your cat or dog ever-so-cunningly heads to the trash can for a holiday turkey snack (because you didn't heed the warning!), run like the wind and bring that trash outside! Or, better yet, before this even becomes a life or death situation simply ask yourself, “Is this how I want to spend my holiday bonus?”