PhillyFIT Magazine

Minimizing
Emergency
Veterinary
Visits this
Holiday Season
Healthy Pet Section FurryFriendFIT
5) Raisins. Raisins are fatally toxic to some dogs, even in relatively
small quantities. It is unknown which dog (or possibly
which raisin) will have a problem, so it’s recommended to keep
dogs away fromraisins in general.
6) Many other foods items such as macadamia nuts, grapes, coffee,
alcohol, moldy food, and uncooked meats can also cause
toxicity and disease in dogs and cats, and should be avoided.
Holiday Plants Dangerous to Pets
Many of us enjoy the sights and smells of seasonal plants
around the holidays. However, some of them are mildly to
moderately toxic to dogs and cats. Minimizing pet exposure or
eliminating these plants from the home altogether is recommended.
By Jamie M. Burkitt, DVM
The holidays are a fun time of year, but the associated celebrations
often include food, plants, and other items that can be
dangerous for pets. It’s important to keep these things in mind
to minimize the likelihood of your pet getting into trouble and
requiring urgent care.
Holiday Foods Dangerous to Pets
All foods in the list below should be kept away frompets altogether.
It’s best to report any ingestion to a veterinarian immediately.
1) Mistletoe. The berries and leaves of mistletoe are toxic, and
can cause gastrointestinal and cardiovascular problems. It is
safest to avoid mistletoe if you have pets, since problems can be
quite severe. However, if your pet ingests mistletoe, call a veterinarian
immediately for advice.
2) Holly. Holly is mildly toxic, and ingestion can cause irritation
to the mouth and upper gastrointestinal tract. Most commonly,
pets that eat holly leaves will show hypersalivation, head
shaking, pawing at the mouth, poor appetite, and some vomiting.
These signs may be mild or can be severe in some cases.
Ingestion of large quantities can cause obstruction of the gastrointestinal
tract, which is an emergency indicated by moderate
1) Chocolate. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and the darker (purer)
the chocolate, the more potential for toxicity. Therefore, even
small amounts of baking chocolate, cacao beans, cacao nibs,
cacao powder in baked or unbaked items, or dark / semisweet
chocolates can cause severe problems. Mild chocolate toxicity
leads to vomiting, diarrhea, and some hyperactivity, while
severe chocolate toxicity can cause heart rhythm abnormalities,
seizures, collapse and even death. Be sure to keep your furry
friends away fromthe chocolate treats this season! If Fido does
accidentally get into treats containing chocolate, call a veterinarian
for advice.
2) Xylitol. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in many
sugar-free gums, candies, vitamins, and medications for
humans. It can also be purchased in bulk as a sugar substitute
for baking. While xylitol has some known benefits to dental
health in people, it is highly toxic to dogs and can cause low
blood sugar and liver failure in dogs. If your pet ingests xylitol,
immediately take him to a veterinarian for attention, as the side
effects can be dire.
3) Onions, garlic, leeks. These and other similar pungent root
vegetables and their extracts cause anemia and potentially
bleeding abnormalities in dogs and cats. Cats are particularly
sensitive to the effects of these vegetables, while dogs are somewhat
more resistant. In general, pets should not be fed items
that contain onions, garlic, and similar as seasoning.
4) Nutmeg. In relatively large quantities (i.e. ¼ tsp. or more),
nutmeg can cause gastrointestinal upset and hallucinations in
pets, and so should be avoided.
November/December I 215-396-0268 I www.phillyfit.com PhillyFIT I 39