Mar 24 Newsletter

With all the commotion, it is easy for a pet to get into harmful things such as chocolate, lilies, Easter basket grass, and many other Easter goodies.

Chocolate may be the most infamous of all goodies known to be toxic to pets, especially dogs. Chocolate contains caffeine, as well as a toxic component called theobromine, which, even in small amounts, can be very dangerous. Different types of chocolate contain varying amounts of theobromine; dark chocolate has the highest. Clinical signs of ingestion commonly will start with vomiting, diarrhea, and trembling. These can then lead to seizures, hyperactivity, fast and irregular heart rhythms, and increased urination.

Lilies are the most popular flower to have in the house around Easter time, and certain types can be lethal if your cat ingests, chews, or even drinks water from the vase.  Common poisonous lilies that come in your Easter bouquets include but are not limited to Easter lilies, Asiatic lilies, Tiger lilies, and Day lilies. Cats are uniquely sensitive to lilies, and when they get ahold of one of these flowers, it can be very detrimental. Initial clinical signs of toxicity are vomiting, salivation, depression, loss of appetite, and increased urination. If caught early and medical intervention is initiated prognosis is good, but in some cases acute kidney failure can lead to dehydration and the inability to urinate.  Once the kidneys are affected, cats can develop disorientation, staggering, seizures, and death. If your cat is a known plant chewer, then it is best to keep the house lily free, but if you must have lilies in the house for the holiday, Calla lilies, Peruvian lilies, and Peace lilies are good non-toxic options.

Another toxic treat the Easter bunny may bring into the home is sugar-free gum or candy, which contains a product called Xylitol. Xylitol is a common sugar alternative used in many human products such as toothpaste, peanut butter, gum, candy, and many other things. 

However, even though it is healthy for humans to ingest, it is highly toxic and can lead to severely low blood sugar, seizures, and liver failure. This is often seen as vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and incoordination.

While Easter basket grass may not have any toxic components when ingested, cats and dogs are very prone to getting it wrapped in their intestines, which can lead to an emergent lifesaving surgery. 

There are many other harmful and toxic substances that come around at Easter time, so if your pet ingests something out of the ordinary and you have any concern for their safety, please call Parks Veterinary or the Pet Poison Helpline so a veterinary professional can provide life-saving expertise for your pet. Help us keep your holidays safe and fun, not stressful!