6 Halloween Dangers for Pets

October 2012, Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic

6 Halloween Dangers for Pets While parental fears about razorblade-ridden chocolate and poisoned candy apples have mostly subsided in recent years, pet owners should still be concerned on Halloween. That’s because there are plenty of ways for pets to find trouble - particularly if left alone with a bag full of goodies. Here are the biggest Halloween pet hazards to watch out: Chocolate Why it’s dangerous: Chocolate is more poisonous to pets than any other candy. Chocolate contains methylxanthines, chemicals similar to caffeine that can quickly sicken dogs. In general, the darker the chocolate, the more poisonous it is. What to watch for: Symptoms in dogs that have ingested chocolate include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or agitation, increased thirst, an elevated heart rate, and, in severe cases, seizures. Candy Why it’s dangerous: It’s hard enough for a human to stop at just one piece of candy, so imagine how difficult it is for a pet. Large ingestions of sugary, high-fat candy can lead to pancreatitis, which may not show up for two to four days after the pet ingests the candy. What to watch for: Pets that have ingested candy may show signs such as decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain, and even kidney failure or organ damage. Candy wrappers Why they’re dangerous: The candy itself isn’t the only threat. Ingestion of foil and cellophane wrappers can cause life-threatening bowel obstructions, which often require surgical intervention. What to watch for: Symptoms in pets that have ingested candy wrappers include vomiting, decreased appetite, not defecating, straining to defecate, or lethargy. Raisins Why they’re dangerous: While good-intentioned neighbors may hand out raisins as a healthy alternative to candy, very small amounts of raisins (or grapes) can cause kidney failure in dogs and cats. Some dogs develop idiosyncratic reactions at any dose—in other words, ingesting any amount can cause serious damage. What to watch for: Pets that have ingested raisins may show signs like vomiting, nausea, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, and severe kidney failure. Glow sticks and jewelry Why they’re dangerous: Pets love to chew on things they’re not supposed to, and cats in particular seem to love these items. Over the past year, 70 percent of Pet Poison Hotline’s calls relating to glow sticks and jewelry involved cats. In addition to the choking hazard, the contents of glow sticks can cause pain and irritation in the mouth. What to watch for: Keep an eye out for mouth pain, as well as profuse drooling and foaming at the mouth. Costumes Why they’re dangerous: Your clients may love the costume, but does their pet? Some costumes can cause discomfort in pets, and any metallic beads, snaps, or other small pieces (particularly those made of zinc or lead) can result in serious poisoning if ingested. Finally, don’t ever dye or apply coloring to a pet’s fur, even if the dye is labeled non-toxic to humans. What to watch for: If clients dress their pets in costumes, teach them to make sure it doesn’t impair the pets’ vision, movement, or air intake.

The Importance of Senior Wellness

October 2012, Dr. Nicole Velotta, DVM

Dogs and cats are considered to be seniors when they reach 7 years of age. At this time there are several thing we can do as owners to insure they continue to be healthy and pain free into their older years. Twice a year exams are very important in order to catch any potential problems early. Bloodwork is also very beneficial. It gives information on internal organs, thyroid, and red and white blood cells. Exam and bloodwork are how we screen for diseases that can affect older pets. Some of these include cushings, diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, kidney failure, liver disease, and cancer. The sooner that these are caught the more successful we can be in treating them and extending the life of our beloved pets. Arthritis is another common condition that affects both dogs and cats. Signs can be subtle to dramatic and include things such as taking longer to get up after laying down, pausing before going up or down stairs, limping, hunched posture, and crying when being picked up. In cats, the signs can be hard to notice, which makes arthritis in them one of the most under diagnosed conditions. Cats will pause before jumping, or stop jumping to higher surfaces altogether. They may change where they most commonly sleep because it is harder for them to get there. Vocalizing more can also be a sign in cats. There is a lot we can do for arthritic pain in both dogs and cats. In the early stages there are multiple supplements that can be used as well as chiropractic treatments (Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation). As the condition progresses there are different pain medications that can be added depending on the pets overall heath. Another alternative approach that can be helpful is Biopuncture. Biopuncture is the process of injecting homeopathic medicine at acupuncture points. Cold Laser therapy is also available. These methods help to relieve pain and inflammation. As your pet ages, the need for routine veterinary care becomes even more important. This allows us to catch and treat conditions early and manage arthritis pain. Preventative care is very important! At Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic we are dedicated to keep your older pet healthy and happy into their senior years. Dr. Nicole Velotta, DVM