Message Number: YPG422 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Sukie Crandall
Date: 2006-12-08 00:54:31 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] ASPCA Holiday pet safety press release
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, ferret-l@LISTSERV.FERRETMAILINGLIST.ORG

While not all may agree with all of the info (though I do), in the=20
holiday spirit gently skim to what you will use yourself to protect=20
your animals, please. Keeping our four footed loved ones safe is=20
what it is all about!

BTW, when ingested some strands (string, tinsel) can also cut through=20
the intestine when peristalsis occurs -- kind of like cutting cake=20
with dental floss.

Be careful of small parts that can be swallowed. If more than one=20
magnet is swallowed that is even more true because when the sections=20
of intestine they are in are close enough they with clamp together=20
and tear the intestine that is between them. Some small swallowed=20
items can cause blockages, tears, and even poisoning.

From the ASPCA Poison Control Center:

Holiday safety for pets press release at

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=3Dpro_apcc_news112706

> Deck The Halls, But Do It Safely!
> ASPCA's Pet Poison Prevention Tips For the Holiday Season
>
> ASPCA Media Contacts
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
> Urbana, Ill., November 27, 2006=97There=92s nothing better than=20
> gathering with friends and family for the holidays; eating,=20
> drinking, and putting up festive decorations. While enjoying this=20
> time of year, it is important to remember the potential hazards=20
> that certain goodies and d=E9cor can pose to our furry, feathered or=20
> scaly companions. To keep pets happy and healthy during the=20
> holiday season, The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is offering=20
> pet owners the following helpful hints:
>
> - Holiday sweets with chocolate are not for pets. Depending on the=20
> dose ingested, chocolate (bakers, semi sweet, milk and dark) can be=20
> potentially poisonous to many animals. In general, the less sweet=20
> the chocolate, the more toxic it could be. In fact, unsweetened=20
> baking chocolate contains almost seven times more theobromine (a=20
> substance similar to caffeine) as milk chocolate. Vomiting,=20
> diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity and increased thirst, urination=20
> and heart rate can be seen with the ingestion of as little as 1/4=20
> ounce of baking chocolate by a 10-pound dog.
>
> - Keep your pet on its normal diet. Any change of diet, even for=20
> one meal, may give your dog or cat severe indigestion and=20
> diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals that have=20
> more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements.
>
> - Candies and gum containing large amounts of the sweetener xylitol=20
> can also be toxic to pets, as ingestions of significant quantities=20
> can produce a fairly sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in=20
> depression, uncoordination and seizures. Be sure to keep such=20
> products well out of the reach of your pets.
>
> - Don=92t give pets holiday leftovers, and keep pets out of the=20
> garbage. Poultry bones can splinter and cause blockages. Greasy,=20
> spicy and fatty foods can cause stomach upset; spoiled or moldy=20
> foods could cause food poisoning, tremors or seizures.
>
> - Alcohol and pets do NOT mix. Place unattended alcoholic drinks=20
> where pets cannot reach them. If ingested, the animal could become=20
> very sick and weak and may go into a coma, possibly resulting in=20
> death from respiratory failure.
>
> - Keep aluminum foil and cellophane candy wrappers away from pets. =

> They can cause vomiting and intestinal blockage.
>
> - Be careful with holiday floral arrangements. Lilies are commonly=20
> used this time of year and all varieties, including Tiger, Asian,=20
> Japanese Show, Stargazer and Casa Blanca can cause kidney failure=20
> in cats. Safe alternatives can include artificial flowers made from=20
> silk or plastic.
>
> - Common Yuletide plants such as mistletoe and holly berries can be=20
> potentially toxic to pets. Should a cat or dog eat mistletoe, they=20
> could possibly suffer gastrointestinal upsets and cardiovascular=20
> problems. Holly can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and lethargy=20
> if ingested.
>
> - Poinsettias are considered to be very low in toxicity. However,=20
> they could cause mild vomiting or nausea if ingested by your pet.
>
> - Keep pets away from Christmas tree water. The water may contain=20
> fertilizers which, if ingested, can cause a stomach upset.=20=20
> Stagnant tree water can also act as a breeding ground for bacteria=20
> and if ingested a pet could end up with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
>
> - Consider decorating your tree with ornaments that are relatively=20
> less enticing to pets, such as dried non-toxic flowers, wood,=20
> fabric or pinecones. Traditional decorations such as ribbons or=20
> tinsel, if ingested, can become lodged in the intestines and cause=20
> intestinal obstruction. This is a very common problem, particularly=20
> with cats.

I LOVE the folks at the ASPCA Poison Control Center. When Hubble=20
accidently drank some water with a bit of laundry detergent in it=20
they took very careful care to make sure we had all the info we=20
needed and knew how to follow-up if needed. Although he was fine and=20
I had already done what was supposed to be done, their thoroughness=20
and knowledge was well worth the $55.

In relation to the comment about holiday diets for pets there is some=20
related info in the excellent article on pancreatitis by Dr. Sandra=20
Kudrak in the latest issue of Ferrets magazine. Look in there for a=20
good surprise, too!

While not all may agree with all of the info, in the holiday spirit=20
gently skim to what you will use yourself to protect your animals,=20
please. Keeping our four footed loved ones safe is what it is all=20
about! Thanks much!

Sukie (not a vet)
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