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Holiday Pet Tips

12/23/2016

 
By: Victoria Hooker, VMD
Melo, a black and white cat, waits patiently in front of the Christmas tree to open his presents.Melo is waiting patiently to open all of his presents.
The holidays are upon us - and as we celebrate with friends and familiy it is important to keep our four-footed family members in mind. These tips, from your friends at Park East Animal Hospital, will help make the holidays safe and fun not just for you, but for your furry friends as well.

Decorate safely. Some decorations, while festive, can be dangerous to curious dogs and cats. Ribbons and tinsel are attractive to pets but can cause serious harm when ingested - they can lead to intestinal blockages which may require emergency surgery. If your pet has eaten tinsel or ribbon, it is important to have him evaluated by a veterinarian right away. Snow globes,  while fun to look at, can contain a highly toxic compound similar to antifreeze. The liquid is attractive to pets because it is sweet, but highly poisonous. Keep all decorative items at a safe distance from your dog or cat to prevent an unwanted emergency.

Use caution with electrical cords. As we decorate our homes for the festive season, extra power and extension cords are often used. When chewed or frayed, these cords can cause severe burns, electrocution, and even death. Prevent these disasters by keeping electrical cords out of reach or covered.

Batteries are highly toxic to pets. Both holiday decorations and many gifts contain batteries, which if chewed on by an animal can cause severe chemical ulceration and burns of the oral cavity and intestines. If you suspect that your pet has chewed on a battery, even if he is not showing signs of discomfort, it is imperative that he be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible .

Keep poisonous and dangerous plants away. Although poinsettias are often thought of as the hallmark poisonous holiday plant, other plants are actually much more toxic to both dogs and cats, including mistletoe and holly. In addition, lilies are extremely toxic to cats and if your cat comes into contact with one, he must be immediately evaluated by a veterinarian. Pine needles from the Christmas tree can cause digestive tract perforation and blockage if ingested in large quantities. We at Park East partner with the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control center, which provides excellent resources for learning which flowers and plants are harmful to dogs or cats.

Chocolate can cause illness and even death in dogs, and should be avoided completely. Darker chocolate causes more severe reactions than white or milk chocolate - but all can be dangerous,  even in small quantities. Chocolate contains theobromine, a potent cardiovascular and central nervous system stimulant that is eliminated very slowly in dogs and can have serious side effects.

Advice - with a side of dog!
Grapes, raisins and currants can be highly toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure. Remember that they can often be hidden in baked goods including fruit cakes and other holiday treats. It is better to be safe than sorry and to avoid baked goods altogether as we do not always know each and every ingredient. If you suspect your dog has ingested grapes, raisins or currants - please bring him in immediately for treatment.

Table scraps may seem like a tasty treat for your cat or dog and often during the holidays we like to indulge them as we indulge ourselves! Unfortunately, rich human foods can often lead to vomiting, diarrhea or possibly inflammation of the pancreas resulting in a severe disorder called pancreatitis.
As friends and family visit us to celebrate the holiday season, changes in our daily routines can often be stressful for both you and your pets. It is important to provide your pets with a safe space where they can retreat and have peace and quiet.

The doctors and staff at Park East Animal Hospital are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide the best possible care for you and your pets.
 

We wish you and your pets a happy and healthy holiday season and all the best in the new year!

Fourth of July Tips

6/21/2016

 
By Victoria Hooker, VMD

Mambo, a havanese, showing off his patriotic outfit.Happy Fourth of July!
With the Fourth of July right around the corner, it’s important to keep the safety of our pets in mind as we prepare for the holiday. Barbecues, day trips, and fireworks are the order of the day, and the long weekend is a welcome opportunity to spend some extra time with our loved ones - both two- and four-legged. Here are some tips to make the holiday as safe and enjoyable as possible for you and your pets.

BBQs and Picnics
Summer is synonymous with barbecues and picnics. Unfortunately, our pets can’t always enjoy the same snacks that we do. Eating high fat foods - such a steak, hamburgers, and cheese - can put our dogs at risk for pancreatitis. Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, is a very painful disorder that can require a great deal of supportive care for complete recovery. During summer festivities, remember to keep food out of reach of pets and consider keeping your pet indoors until after the meal to prevent them from accidentally eating high fat foods or inadvertently being fed by a well-meaning but uninformed guest.

Park East patient presented for coughing and wheezing after getting into the trash. X-rays revealed a large chicken bone lodged in the esophagus. The bone was successfully removed via endoscopy, and the patient has recovered fully.Thoracic radiograph revealing chicken bone ingestion.
Barbeques and picnics are also a great place for dogs to ingest many common foreign objects that can become stuck in the gastrointestinal tract and cause life-threatening obstruction. Corn cobs and bones are two common cook-out leftovers that are frequently ingested and can cause obstruction.



Grapes and raisins are great snacks to bring to picnics, but it is important to remember that they can be toxic for dogs. While the exact substance in grapes that causes toxicity is not yet known, even small exposures have proven to be dangerous or even fatal in some dogs. Signs can range from gastrointestinal upset or abdominal pain to dehydration and decreased urination. In the worst cases, urinary signs can progress to renal (kidney) failure and death. If you believe that your pet may have eaten grapes or raisins, it is important to call immediately to speak with a doctor.

Fireworks
When the sun sets on the Fourth, it is time for the main event of the evening - fireworks! Unfortunately, fireworks can cause fear or anxiety in many dogs and cats. If your pet has never experienced fireworks before, it is best to not leave them unattended during the fireworks as some pets can become extremely nervous and fearful during fireworks displays. If your pet is noise-averse, keep them in a quiet place in the house (such as an interior bathroom, closet or another room with few windows) and play white noise or music to try to drown out the loud firework noise. Distract them with treats and toys. If you cannot be home during the fireworks display, it is safest to keep them in a crate or other small enclosed area. Thunder shirts can also help some dogs feel more safe. Keep in mind that dogs also have a larger range of hearing than humans; therefore, it is best to keep them as far away from fireworks displays at possible.

If your pet is showing signs of injury, toxic exposure, GI obstruction, or hyperthermia, please call Park East Animal Hospital at 212-832-8417. Our doctors  are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide the best possible care for you and your pets.

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