With the holiday season upon us we are all getting ready for the feasts that accompany them. We are not alone in this endeavor – our pets are ready to cash in as well! Every year there are countless veterinary visits associated with this problem and some of these cases can end up with long hospitalizations and even death. The following are some points to consider as we gear up for the holiday season:
- Avoid the fat. Ideally, pets would not receive scraps from the table and would simply stick to their prepared diets – but if you choose to give your pet some handouts please remember to avoid the more fatty portions such as trimmings, gravy, etc. The high fat content can predispose your pet to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and more importantly, the pancreas. If the inflammation of the pancreas goes unchecked, it can lead to debilitating pain, nausea and ultimately death of the patient.
- Toxic sweets. Chocolate is a commonly known toxin for dogs that can cause seizures and cardiac problems and xylitol, a common artificial sweetener can cause profoundly low blood sugar levels and potentially liver failure. Macadamia nuts can cause significant tremors and neurologic symptoms.
- Scary fruits and vegetables. Members of the allium family (garlic, shallots, onions, etc) can cause oxidative damage to an animal’s red blood cells causing anemia. Grapes and raisins have shown to be profoundly toxic to the kidneys of some animals.
- Beware of the bones. The large uncooked bones tend to cause problems with fractures associated with the large molar teeth in the back of the mouth of dogs. Cooked bones (especially poultry bones) can become brittle and are a concern due to their potential to fracture and perforate the bowel once ingested.
- Mind your garbage. The holidays provide endless opportunities for the dumpster divers in the group to get busy. Be cognizant of this and deal with your garbage accordingly. A pet that ingests a rotten turkey carcass, for example, could develop significant intestinal distress and worst-case scenario, an overwhelming bacterial infection secondary to the food poisoning.
- Set your dog up to succeed. With the holidays there are often lots of guests coming to visit. Know your dogs trigger points and concerns. If your dog is timid around new people or children then plan accordingly if you are hosting or attending a holiday party. Provide your pet with a sanctuary where he/she can escape the chaos. Also remember that the majority of dog bites tend to happen around a dog protecting his food resources and toys.
- No toast for the pet. Animals should not be offered alcoholic beverages. They can be harmful to the kidney and the liver and provoke horrible reactions for the pet.
- Dangerous decorations. Cats are notorious for eating tinsel and other linear foreign material and dogs will eat anything. Know how discretionary your pet is and plan accordingly with holiday decorations.
These are just a few tips on precautions to take as we face the holidays ahead. We wish you a happy and veterinary-free holiday season!
Dr. Mortimer earned his degree from Iowa State University. He received a B.A. in Biology from Baylor University, and completed an internship in Small Animal Emergency Medicine and Surgery in Rochester, New York. His interests include internal medicine and surgery, including minimally invasive surgery (endoscopy and laparoscopy).
“Above all, I have a strong interest in people and animals. The relationship between my patients and their owners is the reason I am in this profession.”
When away from the practice, he spends most of his time having fun with his family (his wife Kristie, three children, three cats and one “Labrador non-retriever”. Personal interests include fly-fishing, hiking, gardening and travel.
Seattle Veterinary Associates was founded in 1971 by Dr. Sanford Olson, Dr. Donald Canfield, and Dr. Stephen Jones. In 1971, the original practice opened its doors at the current location of Queen Anne Animal Clinic. Coupled with our considerate expansion and the advancement of our medical capabilities at all our hospitals, we are proud to be providing the highest quality veterinary care to pets and their families. SVA is comprised of four locations: Queen Anne Animal Clinic, Green Lake Animal Hospital, Ravenna Animal Hospital, and Northwest Veterinary Hospital.