Winter Hazards

Now that the holidays are over and we’re in the thick of winter, a new set of toxins exist for your pet that we want to make you aware of: de-icers and antifreeze.

De-icers are commonly used in the winter and they can pose several problems for pets.

First, they can act directly as a skin irritant if they remain in contact with the skin for too long. This is most commonly seen in the feet, especially in the webbing between the toes. The skin may be red, swollen or painful and cause the pet to bite/lick the feet or possibly limp. If it’s impossible to completely avoid areas with de-icers, booties may be your pet’s best option. Not all dogs tolerate this, in which case rinsing the feet with warm water may prevent irritation. This can be done with either a bowl of water or with a wet towel.

Second, they can act as a gastro-intestinal irritant if orally consumed. The severity is directly related to the amount consumed. The typical signs are drooling, depression or vomiting. In very severe case, electrolyte imbalances and neurologic signs can occur.

In general de-icers containing calcium salts tend to be the most irritating to the skin and GI tract. Urea based de-icers tend to be the most pet-friendly, but unfortunately are supposedly the least effective at de-icing.

Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is another common hazard to your pet. Ingestion of just a few teaspoons is enough to cause potentially fatal kidney failure in dogs and cats. Unfortunately, it is very sweet and has a pleasant taste to most pets. Be sure to keep it in tightly closed containers and stored in secure cabinets. Thoroughly clean up any spills and keep your dog away from suspicious puddles on a walk. Pets that have ingested antifreeze may have an increased thirst or urination or may act lethargic. Contact your vet right away if you have any suspicions of antifreeze toxicity.

-Dr. Ken Schwartz.

Halloween Safety Tips

With Halloween around the corner and children getting ready for a night of trick-or-treating, pet parents need to be more aware of their furry friend. Halloween, and other holidays can be dangerous for pets. A mixture of costumes, decorations, candy, among other things can be not only scary, but sometimes lethal. Prevent your pet’s Halloween from becoming a real fright night by taking the proper precautions.

Strangers parading in costumes down your street can potentially cause stress to your pet. Depending on how busy your street becomes, people making loud noises, screaming, laughing, and running can startle pets and cause them to become either timid or aggressive. If this is the case, comfort your pet or keep them in a pet-proof room. It is also not a good idea to take the family dog out trick-or-treating with you. Even if your dog is friendly, anything could happen around strange, new people.

If you decide to really get in the spirit of Halloween and decorate your house, inside or out, be aware of the dangers. Cats more so than dogs could chew on lights, wires and other harmful objects causing serious injury or death, and decoration damage. It is never okay to leave any animal unattended around any type of decorations. Other festive objects can scare your pet like things that have sudden movements or make noises.

You can’t celebrate Halloween without food or candy! Remember that pets shouldn’t have any type of candy whatsoever. They can choke, damage their teeth, get an upset stomach, or even die. Chocolate can be a very fatal treat to pets. All types are chocolate are bad, but the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that dark or baking chocolate are especially dangerous. The ASPCA also warns against the artificial sweetener xylitol, found in some candies which can also cause problems with your pet’s health.

Make certain if you’re dressing your pets up, their costumes are actually pet friendly. Many costumes may contain dangling parts, loose fabrics, and other things that can be easily chewed, swallowed, or become a choking hazard. Also, the ASPCA says that decorative corn and pumpkins are relatively non toxic but may cause an upset stomach. Candles are an extreme hazard for a spooked or curious pet. The candle can be eaten, knocked over, and injure your pet or even start a fire! So this Halloween pet-proof your home and make it safe. If there is an emergency call your local pet poison control and/or contact our office.