Top 5 Easter Pet Hazards
Easter is a time of celebration with parties, chocolates, flowers, (lilies) and more. These are the top hazards to your pet.
1. Chocolate
Why it's bad: Pets have an uncanny ability to find left over chocolate. The amount of chocolate, type of chocolate and size of dog contribute to the severity of clinical signs. Dark and baking chocolate contain more cocoa and are more hazardous than milk or white chocolate. The foil wrappers can cause GI issues or blockages as well. Finally the chocolate and the sugar/fat content can cause pancreatitis- a painful inflammation of the pancreas that causes inappetence, vomiting and diarrhea and if severe enough can become life threatening.
Symptoms of chocolate toxicity: hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, fast heart rate, abnormal heart rhythm.
What to do: Call us so we can determine if further action such as inducing vomiting, IV fluids or anti-emetics is needed.
2. Lilies (Day lilies and true lilies)
Why it's bad: Cats are drawn to plants and ingestion of any part of the plant puts cats at risk for acute kidney failure and death. Keep lilies away from cats.
Symptoms: drooling, vomiting, lethargy, anorexia
What to do: Do not purchase lilies if you have a cat or do not gift lilies to a family with cats. If given lilies, discard. Keep lilies away from your cat. If you notice teeth marks or see your cat chewing on the plant, immediately call us or your veterinarian.
3. Easter Grass
Why it is bad: The string like Easter grass can bunch up and cause an intestinal blockage. Worse yet, if it is a long piece, it may become a linear foreign body which can saw through the intestines causing a life threatening situation.
Symptoms: vomiting, inappetence, lethargy
What to do: Don't leave the Easter grass in plastic eggs or laying around. Call us immediately if symptoms are seen. If you see string coming out from either the mouth or anus, DO NOT pull. because it can cause cinching of intestines if anchored. Call us or bring pet into an emergency hospital.
4. Table Food
Why it is bad: Onions, garlic, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, chewing gum with xylitol are toxic and cause a variety of different effects.
What to do: Do not leave the food unattended. Put food away where the pet cannot reach it. Call us or your veterinarian immediately for further advice.
5. Herbicides
Why it is bad: while some herbicides are not toxicity, any exposure warrants a call to your veterinarian.
Symptoms: ranging from hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea.
What to do: Call us so we can advise you further.
