Winter Health Hazards

The following article was composed by Rachel Peeples.

Antifreeze: Ethylene glycol is the most common radiator
antifreeze/coolant and is also used in hydraulic brake fluids,
paints, and plastics..  It is highly toxic, but has a sweet taste
and is, thus, readily consumed by children and animals. It only
takes five teaspoons to kill a 10-pound dog.  Even less will kill
a cat.  It is very fast acting toxin and can result in kidney
failure and death in as little as four to eight hours.  An
affected animal may exhibit signs of drunkenness -- watch for ataxia (incoordination), vomiting, depression, and increased  urination and drinking.  Newer antifreeze products contain propylene glycol are generally considered safer.

Keep antifreeze in its original container, and (duh!) out of
reach of both pets and children. It is a good idea to keep the
empty container or some other record of the product used so
that if your car leaks and your pet finds it before you do, so
that you will know what to tell your veterinarian your pet
consumed. Be sure to dispose of old antifreeze in a sealed
container; it is NOT a good idea to simply hose it down the
driveway. Further prevention -- always have plenty of fresh
water available for your pet because a thirsty pet may more
likely and tempted to drink antifreeze.  If you think your pet
has consumed antifreeze do not hesitate and call your
veterinarian right away.

Rodenticides: Rodenticides that kill the rodents hoping to live
out the winter in your house will also kill your pet. There are
basically three types of rodenticides -- anticoagulants,
Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol, and bromethalin.

Anticoagulants are substances that interfere with the blood
clotting process.  Warfarin is the prototypical anticoagulant
and has been on the market since the 1950s.  Over the years,
as rodents have become resistant to warfarin, a "second
generation" of anticoagulants were developed. These are
stronger (50 to 200 times more potent  than warfarin)
and include names like brodifacoum,  bromadiolone and
diphacinone.  It can take 2 to 5 days  before a reaction
is observed with an anticoagulant, and the most common sign is
uncontrolled bleeding often around the  gums and other
membranes.  The antidote for anticoagulant rodentcide
poisoning is Vitamin K1.

Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol disrupts calcium metabolism.
It causes calcium and phosphorus to leave the bone and
accumulate in the animal's soft tissue organs, especially in the
kidneys.  The signs will depend on the organ where the
mineral disposition is.  Kidney failure is the most common
development -- vomiting, depression, anorexia, etc.

Bromethalin interferes with the animal's central nervous
system causing irreversible neurological damage.  Signs
include incoordination, stumbling, inability to stand, etc.

In general, the common initial signs of rodenticide poisoning
include lethargy, anorexia (lack of appetite) and sluggishness.
These signs usually progress to vomiting, diarrhea, difficult
breathing, and physical incoordination such as stumbling,
falling or circling during the next 12-36 hours.

Chocolate: Chocolate (ahhh. . . wonderful chocolate) is toxic
to dogs, cats, and birds. Theobromine, a naturally occuring
compound found in chocolate, is the toxic agent.  Different
dogs react differently to theobromine. Sick dogs are more
prone to the effects than healthy one.  Dogs with or prone to
epilepsy are likely to experience seizures.  Toxicity is based
on a mg chocolate per Kg body weight basis.  The initial signs
of chocolate toxicity are those of stomach upset, vomiting,
and diarrhea. If enough chocolate is consumed, restlessness,
ataxia (incoordination), heart failure and/or respiratory
failure may result. Theobromine can cause cardiac
irregularity, especially if the dog becomes excited. Cardiac
arythmia can precipitate a myocardial infarct which can kill
the dog. Theobromine also irritates the GI tract and in some
dogs can cause internal bleeding which in some cases kills
them a day or so later. Theobromine is also present in
differing amounts in different kinds of chocolate:

Milk chocolate has 44-66 mg/oz, dark chocolate 450 mg/oz
and baking/bitter chocolate or cocoa powder varies as much
as 150-600 mg/oz.  How much chocolate a dog can survive
depends on its weight (and other unknown circumstances).  No
deaths have been observed for ingestion of under 200 mg
theobromine per kg body weight.

The number one problem seen by veterinarians during the
holidays is stomach or intestinal  disturbances caused by pets
eating all the holiday goodies because all that good food we
eat can be dangerous to pet health especially in excess. 
Cooked poultry bones shatter piercing holes in any portion of
the digestive tract or they can get stuck causing blockage.
Fatty, rich foods like turkey and ham skin can cause sudden
pancreatitis or bloat.

Nuts: Many nuts have high phosporous content which may lead
to bladder stones.  Walnuts are poisonous in another way to
dogs and should be avoided. The fungus common to walnuts
(especially wet deadfall walnuts) will cause severe episodes
of seizuring.

Onions/Garlic: Onions (and garlic), especially raw onions (cooked will as well) have been shown to trigger hemolytic anemia in dogs.

Potato poisonings among people and dogs have also been known
to occur.  The toxic agent is solanum alkaloids can be found in
green sprouts and green potato skins.  This agent especially
occurs when the tubers are exposed to sunlight during growth
or after harvest. The relatively rare occurrence of actual
poisoning is due to several factors: solanine is poorly
absorbed; it is mostly hydrolyzed into less toxic solanidinel;
and the metabolites are quickly eliminated. Note that cooked,
mashed potatoes are fine for dogs, actually quite nutritious
and digestible and "normal" potatoes are not a danger.  It is
the green potatoes and sprouts that pose the threat.

Mistletoe and holly:  can cause stomach upset with vomiting
and diarrhea. The berries of these  plants are attractive,
easily swallowed, and potentially fatal if consumed.

Poinsettia:  Cause rash after contact with the skin or mouth,
stomach upset (vomiting, anorexia)

English Holly:  May produce vomiting, abdominal pain, and in
some cases, diarrhea

Be sure Christmas trees are secured so that pets cannot pull
them over (especially kitties but also curious dogs). Don't put
preservatives into the water in the tree stand and also cover
this water so pets can't drink it.  Don't spray snow on the
tree unless it is labeled for pet consumption. Angel hair is
spun glass and is irritating to both the inside and outside of
your pet. Even glass ornaments (low-hanging ornaments are a
real temptation) and ornament hooks have been chewed and
swallowed. These objects can cause problems from stomach
upset to damaged intestines. Other enticements include tinsel
and electric lights. Decorative lights and electrical wiring can
cause shock or burns when chewed on, so remember to unplug
holiday lights when pets are unattended.

Unsupervised pets and wrapped gifts are NOT a good mix. 
Ribbon, wrapping paper, tape, bows, etc are not conducive to
pet intestinal health.  Tell Santa to put the gifts in a
pet-safe place until pet can be supervised.

All text and graphics are Copyright � by LabsR4U. Please do not copy any text or graphics without permission.