Published: November 29, 2008 04:19 pm         

PAW PRINTS: Beware of health hazards involving your pets during the holidays

TERRE HAUTE — The holiday season is fast approaching and with it comes potential hazards for your pet. The excitement of the activities and the smells and tastes of the foods this time of year may intrigue your pet. Even though this is a busy time of year, take care to remember to be extra vigilant regarding your pet’s activities.

Items that can make your pet sick are ribbons, wrapping paper, ornaments, tinsel, extension cords and gifts. Kitties are particularly fascinated with shiny strands of tinsel, which can be deadly. The ingestion of tinsel or other string-like items (often called linear foreign bodies) can cause serious damage to the intestines. A pet with foreign bodies can become ill with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, depression, belly pain, and frequently, fever.

Holiday lighting attracts pets. Electrical shock could occur from pets chewing on the cords. Check cords for bite marks, loose or frayed wires, or evidence of short circuits. Use three-prong grounded extension cords and follow manufacturers’ recommendations for usage. Electrical shock can cause burns, labored breathing, abnormal heart rhythm, loss of consciousness and death. If your pet has been injured by electrical shock, call your veterinarian.

Pets are usually interested in new sources of water such as the toilet or the Christmas tree stand. Be careful when adding chemicals meant to keep your tree fresh longer. Read the label and make sure it is “pet safe.” Another attraction for your pets is potpourri; make sure the pots are covered or inaccessible to pets.

The holiday season is about sharing with family and friends, but sharing holiday foods with your pet can cause an upset stomach, or worse, pancreatitis. In order to control the excessive food intake by your pets, set aside a plate of treats for your pets and let your guests “treat” the pets. To make it more festive, mix some of your pet’s regular food with water and make dough that you roll out and cut into shapes. Bake them until crunchy. Give your pets some “personal space” to get away from the commotion in a bedroom or den. Sometimes pets will respond to a lot of hubbub by eliminating on the floor.

The holidays wouldn’t be complete without chocolate! But keep in mind that chocolate can be toxic or even fatal to cats and dogs. Chocolate poisoning occurs most commonly in dogs but others are also susceptible. Theobromine is the toxic compound found in chocolate. Symptoms that can appear within 1 to 4 hours include vomiting, increased thirst, diarrhea, weakness, difficulty with balance, hyperexcitability, muscle spasms, seizures, coma or death. If you suspect your pet has ingested chocolate, call your veterinarian. Typically, the treatment for poisoning is the most effective if begun soon after eating the poison and before large amounts have been absorbed into the blood.

Mistletoe can be very toxic to your pet. Call your veterinarian immediately if your pet has ingested any part of the plant. Mistletoe can cause vomiting, severe diarrhea, difficult breathing, shock and death within hours of ingestion. Various species of holly berries and leaves can cause vomiting, belly pain and diarrhea.

An adorable puppy or kitten may seem like the perfect Christmas gift, but unfortunately after the holiday season, animal shelters explode with these “surprise gifts.” Owning a pet is a lifelong commitment that not everyone can make. Please give careful consideration when deciding on that new pet.



Rona

Breed: Chow Chow mix

Size: Medium

Age: Adult

Sex: Female

This place is a lot bigger and busier than I ever imagined. Hi, I’m Rona. I’m a short, full-grown 2-year-old trying to figure out why so many dogs end up here like me. I’m cute, fun, lightweight (37 pounds), easy to take on trips and most definitely deserving of a good home. I see lots of people walk by but no one seems to be looking all the way down here where I’m standing. I may have to start barking for attention … but that’s really not my style. Well, for now, I’ll just keep to myself and hope someone comes looking for me soon. I’m here … waiting for my rescuer to come find me.