Newsletters

DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

Holiday Hazards
Krista Albers-Smith, LVT

As the weather turns colder, we all look forward to the holidays. The cooking, baking, and decorating all bring families together. In addition to all of the fun, the holidays can also have some health hazards for our four-legged companions. We want to help reduce any extra stress the holidays may bring, so here is a list of potential hazards and considerations as you prepare for the holidays.

Tinsel, also known as icicles, is a potential hazard for our cats. With the shiny fluttering, they can activate a cat’s prey instincts. When cats ingest the shiny strands, the tinsel has the opportunity to move into the intestines and strangles them, creating an emergency situation that requires surgery to remove the tinsel and potentially a portion of the intestines if the damage is severe enough. Because cats have an innate ability to climb and jump to get to areas of your home that you don’t want them to be, the best option is to not have tinsel in your home.

Cats are not the only ones that we need to worry about with the ingestion of foreign objects. The shiny ornaments on the Christmas tree can also catch the attention of our canine pets. Of specific concern are glass ornaments; when ingested and broken they can cause internal damage to the entire gastrointestinal tract and even cause a blockage in the intestines. When decorating your tree, consider keeping your glass ornaments higher on the tree. A barrier, such as baby gates or exercise play pen panels, can also prevent them from being able to get to your tree. Kenneling your dogs when you are not home is a great way to keep them safe.

Holiday plants can cause issues that may put a damper on your holiday festivities. Poinsettia sap, holly plants and American mistletoe can all cause GI upset. Amaryllis plants are toxic, with the bulb being the worst part of the plant. If only the foliage is eaten it will cause GI upset and drooling; however, if the bulb is ingested it can cause weakness, low blood pressure, tremors, and seizures. If you have a real Christmas tree, drinking the water may cause GI symptoms. In rare cases, if the water is contaminated with bacteria or fungus, it can cause more severe issues. The tree itself, no matter the species, can cause vomiting, anorexia, and abdominal pain. If enough needles are ingested they could cause an obstruction requiring surgery. Continue to enjoy your holiday plants and greenery, just be aware of the potential issues and keep out of reach of your pets as best as you can.

While open flames are a hazard year around, we can all get distracted when we are preparing for the holiday parties. If your family celebrates Chanukah, the menorah can pose a fire risk if your pet bumps it or the table it is on. In order to avoid fires, use fake candles when possible in your decorating. When lighting your menorah, make sure it is on a sturdy table to countertop to avoid being bumped.

If something does happen to your pets, time is of the essence. The sooner your pets are seen, the better treatment we can provide. It is best if you can call our office while you are on the way, so we can be prepared for your arrival. If it is an after-hours emergency, you will need to call the emergency line at 308-389-0096.

Enjoy a safe and happy holiday season, from our Parks Veterinary family to yours!