With fall upon us there are always things to think about. Hopefully, a pet emergency will not be one of them! The following is a short list of safety considerations for your pets as we transition into the next season:
Halloween Candy: The two main concerns with candy are Chocolate and Xylitol sugar substitutes.
Chocolate toxicity is fairly well known. There are two ingredients in chocolate that are harmful to dogs – theobromine and caffeine. Dogs metabolize theobromine much more slowly than humans. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs are most commonly seen within hours after consumption and can include: gastrointestinal upset, abnormal heart rhythms, hyperactivity, excessive panting, muscle spasms, seizures and even death. Generally speaking, the higher the quality of the chocolate, the higher amount of theobromine it contains.
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is routinely seen in gum, candy, foods and tooth paste. In humans, xylitol is absorbed into the bloodstream slowly and has no significant effect on blood sugar. In canines, it is rapidly absorbed within 30 minutes resulting in an insulin release. This causes a substantial decrease in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) which can result in death. Xylitol’s effect on blood glucose in cats is not clearly understood at this time
Mushrooms – Fall and spring are times when Mushrooms are seen. While the majority of mushrooms have minimal to no toxicity, a small toxic percentage can be life-threatening. Most of the highly toxic mushrooms can be difficult to distinguish from those that are nontoxic, so the best way to keep pets from ingesting poisonous mushrooms is to avoid them all together. If you know your pet has eaten mushrooms notify your veterinarian immediately.
Compost – after a long summer of gardening, most compost bins are full and ripe for the picking for our canine friends. Fermented compost can pose problems with fungal toxins that can cause intestinal distress and neurologic signs. Having a dog-proof compost bin could be a wise investment.
Antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol) – When winterizing vehicle and homes, be aware of exposure to pets. Some antifreeze is initially sweet tasting and attractive to dogs and cats but can have deadly ramifications if ingested. Antifreeze poisoning can lead to kidney failure, neurologic signs and death if not treated immediately.
Rodenticides – Rodenticides can have a myriad of toxicities depending upon the source. The most commonly used over the counter forms are the anticoagulants (brodifacoum, bromadiolone, chlorophacinone, diphacinone and warfarin). These toxins will manifest in spontaneous bleeding and death. Other types of rodenticides include Bromethalins which affect the central nervous system and Cholecalciferol which affect the calcium levels in the body resulting in kidney and cardiac complications
If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, call your veterinarian immediately. With most toxicities, the faster things are addressed the better the prognosis. Another great source of information with respect to pet toxicities is the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline ( www.aspca.org/apcc).
Jeb Mortimer, DVM
Green Lake Animal Hospital
www.seattlevetassoc.com