5 Ways the Holidays Can Kill Your Pet
Read Time:5 Minute, 11 Second
by Dr Mark1961
Every veterinary emergency clinic looks forward to the holidays—with dread. Dogs become so sick on Thanksgiving that vets have nicknamed it “National Pancreatitis Day” and the problems continue all the way to Christmas. Are you aware of some of the ways that people kill their dogs over the holidays?
Source: DrMark1961
Pancreatitis
This is a disease provoked by eating high levels of fat. The dogs affected are usually already obese, and their loving owners decide to share a little holiday cheer and kill or destroy their dogs.
The pancreas cannot handle the high levels of fat and they react in several ways. Some dogs start vomiting, some have diarrhea, others have fever. There are dogs that have all of those symptoms. If the dog is in really bad shape, the pancreas leaks enzymes out into the body and the rest of the organs are “auto-digested”. Yes, it is as bad as it sounds.
If the dog does not die, the rest of her life is spent worrying about another bout of pancreatitis. Some dogs have to be put on a special diet, some dogs end up developing pancreatic insufficiency and diabetes.
This disease is easy enough to avoid. Just don’t give your dog turkey skin and other fat products during the holidays.
Honey-baked ham and goose are just as bad, so avoid them too!
Cooked bones may not always kill your dog, but she may have problems for the rest of her life.
Source: DrMark1961
Cooked Bones and Table Scraps
I am a big fan of giving table scraps to my dogs, but then again I have been studying canine nutrition all of my life and am not going to give something that will kill my dogs. If you are not educated enough to feed your dog without hurting her, stick to the regular diet.
Cooked bones are one table scrap that everyone should know about. Unfortunately, they are still a problem. Raw bones are fine, but when cooked they become brittle and may cut your dog´s esophagus as they are on their way down, or the intestine as they are on their way out. When you clean your turkey, put the bones in the trash, and put the trash somewhere that the dog cannot get to it.
Even the stuffing should be saved for leftovers or thrown away. Most stuffing recipes will call for onions, which can cause hemolytic anemia in dogs. Some stuffings use spices which can be toxic to dogs, and still others use raisins which have been known to lead to kidney failure.
When your dog looks at you and begs for candy from the table, learn to say no.
Christmas Candy and Treats
Chocolate is toxic to dogs and there have been enough publicity campaigns about this that all dog owners should be aware of the problem. The toxic dose of theobromine is about 100 mg/kg, so if you have a large dog and he gets into your milk chocolate it is usually not an issue, except for a bout of diarrhea. If you have a box of Godiva dark chocolates, and your teacup Yorkie gets into them, the condition is serious and she needs to get to an emergency vet. Just do your dog a favor, and keep all chocolate out of her reach.
Some nuts are also poisonous, so avoid “macadamia nut toxicosis” and just say no. If there are any diabetics around your house for the holidays (or someone trying to control their bulging waistline, like most of us), there may also be a plate of sugar-free candies. Sugar free candies may contain a sweetener called xylitol, which is highly toxic and will kill your dog.
If you have any doubts about a plant, just don’t buy it.
Christmas Plants and Trees
Some of the plants we use to decorate our homes with over Christmas are toxic. Does your dog have access to mistletoe, holly, lilies, and poinsettias? Most of them are mildly toxic, and if there is any doubt, just avoid it.
The water underneath the Christmas tree can also be hazardous. Don’t forget it. There are all sorts of people that recommend adding an aspirin to keep the tree fresh, and some of the oils, pesticides, and other chemicals may leach out of the tree and into the water. If you have a natural tree, spend a little extra for a water cover or find a way to keep this water covered and out of reach of your dog.
The Christmas tree itself is also mildly toxic. Some trees have oils that can irritate your dog´s gut, and you might come home to find her drooling all over the presents! If she chews a bit more, the needles and branches will upset her gut and may cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Puppies are cute on Christmas but keep them safe!
Artificial Trees and Decorations
If your dog eats a plastic tree, she will probably pass it but do not be surprised if she vomits it up in the middle of your living room. If you decorated with tinsel or candy canes, she may even eat more and become blocked. Dogs with obstructions need dangerous and expensive surgery, and some dogs die even before surgery.
Some dogs also see Christmas lights as toys and will chew on them, making electrical burns likely. Try to keep the lights out of reach, but if you have the type of dog that chews be sure to check every day.
If you have a dog, think of her like a three-year old child around the house. Most of the times she will be well-mannered and not mess with your Christmas decorations, but that one time is all it takes to kill her.
Don’t take a chance. Christmas can kill your dog.
Please share this information with your friends that have dogs. Share it on Facebook and Twitter if you use those sites.
Pics courtesy of Dr Mark1961
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