MINNEAPOLIS — The holidays are best spent with family and friends, not taking a trip to the animal hospital. With the trifecta of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve coming up, the toxicology experts at Pet Poison Helpline want to warn pet lovers about the many dangers that face pets during this festive season.
“We receive more potential poisoning calls in November and December than any other time of the year,” said Dr. Renee Schmid, a senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline. “Some of the biggest threats during the holidays are toxins that are prevalent throughout the entire year, like lilies, chocolate, xylitol and medication, but there are many toxic items that are specific to the holidays, such as eggnog.”
David Meinke of Florida, had a frightening experience last Christmas when one of his two cats, Radar and Rocco, nibbled on a lily that was part of a holiday bouquet.
Meinke found vomit on the floor but was not sure which cat had gotten sick, so he took both of them to the nearby pet hospital. Meinke also contacted the Pet Poison Helpline, who then worked with the hospital’s medical team to identify the lily and diagnose and treat his pets.
Common signs of lily poisoning include vomiting, lethargy and acute kidney failure.
“Cats are particularly sensitive to true lilies, and need quick access to veterinary care when exposed,” Dr. Schmid said. “If they receive proper care within a few hours after ingestion, their chances of survival are extremely high. If they do not receive proper care, or care is delayed, the chances of survival drop significantly, with some studies reporting a 100 percent fatality rate.”
Pet owners should also be on the lookout for chocolate and xylitol.
Many holiday treats include chocolate and it can be really easy to leave such items around without thinking about your pet getting their paws on them.
“Chocolate contains chemicals called methylxanthines, specifically theobromine and caffeine, which when ingested in toxic amounts can result in vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, tachycardia, arrhythmias, tremors, seizures and possibly even death. Interestingly, dogs make up 95% of our chocolate calls.”
Hidden within some of that chocolate may be xylitol, a natural, sugar-free sweetener. If enough xylitol is ingested, it can cause life-threatening low blood sugar and acute liver failure in dogs.
Another dangerous toxin being blended with chocolate is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. With many states now allowing marijuana use, Pet Poison Helpline is seeing a significant increase in the number of cannabis-related calls. Although THC’s toxicity level is considered mild for dogs and cats, it can still have significant effects.
“Classic signs of THC poisoning include a dazed expression, glassy eyes, incoordination, slow response times and dribbling urine,” Dr. Schmid said. “Vomiting and drooling are also common, despite marijuana’s anti-nausea effects. Other signs include changes in heart rate and blood pressure, and hypothermia. In certain cases, the opposite may occur with signs including vocalization, neurological stimulation, hyperactivity or coma.”
Also, make sure to keep your personal medications safe. Dr. Schmid says the Pet Poison Helpline also gets many calls about pets getting into their owner’s medications.
With these tips hopefully you and your furry friends can have a safe holiday.
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