This page is on winter and holiday health hazards for pets particularly dogs. If you have any questions please feel free to email me.
ANTIFREEZE
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 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 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 be more likely to be tempted to drink antifreeze. If you think your pet has consumed antifreeze do not hesitate and call your veterinarian right away.
RODENTICIDES
Rodenticides: Chemicals 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 it 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 of these cases, progesses to death in 24 to 48 hours. Theobromine is present in varying amounts in the 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.
HOLIDAY FOOD
The number one problem seen by veterinarians during the holidays is stomach or intestinal disturbances caused by pets eating all the holiday goodies. All that good food that we eat can be dangerous to pet health especially if consumed 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 in dogs.
Onions/Garlic: Onions (and garlic), especially raw onions (cooked will as well), have been shown to trigger hemolytic anemia in dogs.
Potato: Potato poisonings among people and dogs have also been known to occur. The toxic agent is solanum alkaloids can be found in 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.
HOLIDAY PLANTS
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
MISCELLANOUES X-MAS ITEMS
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.
I have researched and answered these questions to the best of my ability. But I am human and make mistakes. If there is any part of my answer that you feel is incorrect, please let me know. The last thing I want is to disseminate false or incorrect information.