Here are some tips for keeping your pets out of danger during the holiday season.

AVOID Holiday Food Items That Could Cause Problems For Your Pet

• Alcoholic beverages
• Chocolate (baker's, semi-sweet, milk chocolate)
• Coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans)
• Moldy or spoiled foods-compost
• Onions, onion powder
• Fatty foods
• Salt
• Yeast dough
  

PLANTS

• Lilies may be found in flower arrangements and can be deadly to your cat. Many types of lily, such as Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Easter, Stargazer, and the Casa Blanca, can cause kidney failure in cats.
• Poinsettias are generally over-rated in toxicity. If ingested, poinsettias can be irritating to the mouth and stomach, and may cause mild vomiting or nausea.
• Mistletoe has the potential to cause cardiovascular problems. However, mistletoe ingestion usually only causes gastrointestinal upset.
• Holly ingestion could cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and lethargy.

HAZARDS AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE

• Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers, which, if ingested, can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can be breeding grounds for bacteria, which can also lead to vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
• Electric cords- Avoid animal exposure to electric cords. If they were chewed, they could electrocute your pet. Cover up or hide electric cords, never let your pet chew on them.
• Ribbons or tinsel if ingested can get caught up in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction.
• Batteries contain corrosives. If ingested they can cause ulceration to the mouth, tongue, and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Glass ornaments can cut the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract if ingested.

MEDICATIONS

Keep all prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs out of the reach of your pets, preferably in closed cabinets. Pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, antidepressants, vitamins, and diet pills are common examples of human medication that could be potentially lethal even in small dosages. One regular strength ibuprofen tablet (200mg) can cause stomach ulcers in a 10-pound dog. Remind holiday guests to store their medications safely away.
During the holidays, many veterinary clinics have limited office hours. In some cases, pet owners try to medicate their animals without their veterinarian's advice. Never give your animal any medications unless under the directions of a veterinarian. Many medications that are used safely in humans can be deadly when used inappropriately. Less than one regular strength acetaminophen tablet (325mg) can be dangerous to a cat.

OTHER WINTER HAZARDS

• Antifreeze has a pleasant taste. Unfortunately, very small amounts can be lethal. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to a cat; less than four teaspoons can be dangerous to a 10-pound dog. Thoroughly clean up any spills, store antifreeze in tightly closed containers and store in secured cabinets. Automotive products such as gasoline, oil and antifreeze should be stored in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. Propylene glycol is a safer form of antifreeze. Low Tox™ brand antifreeze contains propylene glycol and is recommended to use in pet households.
• If you think your pet has consumed antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately.
• Liquid potpourris are popular household fragrances commonly used during the holiday season. Pets are often exposed to liquid potpourri by direct ingestion from simmer pots or spills, or by rubbing against leaky bottles or simmer pots containing the potpourri, or from spilling the containers upon themselves. Oral exposures result following grooming. Exposure of pets to some types of liquid potpourris can result in severe mouth, skin & eye damage.
• Ice melting products can be irritating to skin and mouth. Depending on the actual ingredient of the ice melt and the quantity, signs of ingestion would include excessive drooling, depression & vomiting.
• Rat and mouse killers are used more commonly during colder weather. When using rat and mouse bait, place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your companion animals. If you suspect that your pet has ingested any rat or mouse bait contact your veterinarian immediately.
  

Ant and Roach Baits
These products contain a variety of insecticides. However, the main ingredients in most of these products are peanut butter, lard, and jelly to attract the insects. Therefore, ingestion of these products is rarely a concern unless a very tiny animal such as a pocket pet is involved.
The two exceptions are when the product contains chlorpyrifos or arsenic. Cats are exceptionally sensitive to chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate. A few products contain arsenic, which is a stomach irritant. Therefore, most animals will vomit spontaneously. Never induce vomiting without consulting your veterinarian first. In some cases vomiting should not be induced.

Batteries
Treatment of battery ingestion can be difficult. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has ingested a battery.

Chocolate
Chocolate contains two forms of methylxanthines, theobromine and caffeine, and their amounts vary with the type of chocolate. Unsweetened baking chocolate contains almost seven times more theobromine as milk chocolate, while white chocolate contains very little. You should always contact your veterinarian if your pet has ingested chocolate and confirm that it is or is not a lethal dose.

Cigarettes
Tobacco products contain varying amounts of nicotine with regular cigarettes containing 13-30 mg and cigars containing 15-40 mg. Butts contain about 25% of the total nicotine content. Signs often develop within 15-45 minutes after ingestion and commonly include excitation, salivation, vomiting and diarrhea. If your pet has ingested a toxic amount muscle weakness, twitching, depression, shallow breathing, collapse and then cardiac arrest will follow these symptoms. Contact your veterinarian if you suspect your pet has eaten any products containing nicotine.

Cleaning Products
Most household cleaning products contain acidic or alkaline ingredients, which can cause caustic or corrosive lesions in the GI tract. Fortunately, most exposures occur after the product has been diluted in a bucket of water or a toilet bowl and so only cause mild vomiting.
If the product is not dilute, it can cause severe burning of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Lesions from acids usually appear soon after exposure, while lesions from alkalis may not appear until 8-12 hours later. Do not induce vomiting because further damage will occur. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has ingested any cleaning products.

Fertilizers
Most fertilizers contain mainly nitrogen, potash, and potassium (N-P-K) and just cause mild GI upset. However, some fertilizers contain a significant amount of iron and can result in iron toxicosis. A few fertilizers also contain an insecticide such as disulfoton, which is a highly toxic organophosphate that causes sudden onset of seizures frequently followed by pancreatitis.
Other types of fertilizer are bone meal and blood meal. Dogs can engorge themselves on these products and can have significant GI upset (vomiting, diarrhea, constipation) and possibly pancreatitis. Contact your veterinarian if your pet has ingested any type of fertilizer.

Glow-in-the-dark Jewelry
These jewelry pieces are filled with dibutyl phthalate, which causes profuse salivation and possibly vomiting in animals that bite into them. This response is due to a taste reaction rather than a toxicosis. Give a treat, such as milk or tuna juice, to dilute the taste of the chemical and contact your veterinarian.

Glues
Most glue does not cause problems when ingested by pets. Superglue can glue the lips or tongue together, but otherwise is digested without incidence. An exception is Gorilla Glue, which expands in the stomach and can require surgical removal. Always consult your veterinarian if your pet ingests any type of glue.

Liquid Potpourri
Liquid potpourris may contain essential oils and cationic detergents. Essential oils can cause mucous membrane and gastrointestinal irritation. Severe clinical signs can be seen with potpourri products that contain cationic detergents. Dermal exposure to cationic detergents can result in reddening of the skin, edema, intense pain, and ulceration. Ingestion of cationic detergents can lead to tissue necrosis and inflammation of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach.
Following dermal exposure, the animal should be bathed with a mild liquid hand-dish detergent or a non-insecticidal pet shampoo. For ocular exposure to liquid potpourri, the eyes should be flushed thoroughly with tepid tap water or saline. Report any symptoms your pet may be exhibiting to your veterinarian to ensure that he/she does not require any further treatment.

Mothballs
Naphthalene is the most common active ingredient found in mothballs. Most common signs seen with mothball ingestion include vomiting, anemia, lethargy, and seizures. Hepatitis is a rare effect and if seen would occur 3-5 days post exposure.
Treatment of mothball ingestion includes early decontamination. Consult your veterinarian if your pet has or you suspect that it has ingested mothballs.

Painting/Varnishing Products
Household paints and varnishes are relatively harmless and usually only cause mild GI upset. However, pet owners become concerned when paint gets on the animal's fur and make the mistake of trying to remove it with paint thinners, such as turpentine or mineral spirits. These products are extremely irritating to the skin and footpads. The animal will become very painful immediately after application.
The best method of removing paint thinners is by bathing with a dish washing detergent and cool water. However, bathing removes excess product without stopping the pain that is already occurring, especially in the footpads. Analgesics and sedatives may be necessary to make the animal comfortable. The pain can be eased in some dogs by allowing them to stand or lay in cool water. They are usually comfortable when in the water, but become painful again as soon as they are removed from the water. Consult your veterinarian for treatment information and do not administer any home pain medications without your vet's permission, some human pain control can be harmful to your pet.

Silica Gel
This is used as a desiccant in newly purchased clothing, shoes, and purses. It is an inert ingredient and is not toxic. The only time it is of concern is when a small animal swallows a large amount, which can expand with water and possibly cause an obstruction or diarrhea.

Soaps/Shampoos
These products cause vomiting (usually mild and self-limiting) after ingestion. Large ingestions can also cause diarrhea. If the vomiting or diarrhea persists for more than a day, contact you r veterinarian.

Thermometers
Thermometers contain elemental mercury, which is not absorbed from the GI tract. Therefore, mercury poisoning is not a concern with these ingestions. If the animal swallowed the glass, bulk up the diet with bread or canned pumpkin to help it move through the GI tract and consult your veterinarian.

Zinc
US pennies minted after 1982 and Canadian pennies minted between 1997 and 2001 are composed of copper plating around a zinc core. Therefore toxicosis has been reported as a result of ingestion of pennies. Zinc toxicosis can affect the kidneys and liver. Treatment of penny ingestion involves removing the pennies from the stomach, which often requires surgery. Consult your veterinarian if your pet has swallowed any pennies.

• In preparation for summer fun, take your pet to a veterinarian for a check-up. Ensure your pet is on an appropriate preventative health care program including vaccinations, flea and tick control and where needed, heartworm prevention.
  
  
• Despite their protective fur coats, overexposure to the sun can be dangerous to pets. Exposure to sunlight should be limited, especially during the peak hours of sunlight from noon to 4 p.m. Cats and dogs should have access to water and shade at all times. Sunscreen can be applied to hairless breeds or breeds with thin coats. Choose a sunscreen that is safe for children to ensure that it is safe for your pet. Also be careful of scorching hot pavement and walking your pets on it for any length of time. Even sand at the beach can burn their delicate pads.
  
  
• During the warm summer months, pets should never be left unattended in a parked car, even if windows are left open. Excess heat causes cats and dogs to experience heat stroke, which is potentially fatal and happens very quickly. Rapid breathing, loud panting, and staggering are signs of heat stroke. If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms, take it to a shady, ventilated area and sponge the animal with cool water. Do not immerse your pet in freezing cold water you need to gradually reduce the body temperature. Take your pet to a veterinarian for any further care that may be required.
  
  
• When driving with pets, make sure that your vehicle's windows are only slightly open so that your pet is not tempted to stick its head out. A pet that sticks its head out the window risks getting insects, dust and debris in its eyes.
  
  
• Cats and dogs aren't the only animals that enjoy nice weather. Summertime also brings an increase in snakes, skunks, and porcupines. When walking your dog or cat, especially on campgrounds or in cottage-country, make sure your pet is on a leash and in sight at all times. Using a leash will also protect your pet from other dogs and reduce the possibility of fights should they encounter another aggressive animal.
  
  
• To avoid contact with harmful poisons, don't walk your pet in areas that may have been sprayed with insecticides or pesticides. Also if you are planning to fertilize your lawn check with your local garden center or veterinarian to ensure the products you plan to use are safe for your pet. Make sure that the plants you chose are non-toxic, you should also be able to get this info from your vet or garden center. Store any fertilizers, rodenticides, slug bate, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, car fluids-especially anti-freeze well out of reach of your pets. Ingestion of many of these substances can be fatal if not treated quickly. For a list of toxic plants, see our section in "Common Household Hazards" entitled "Poisonous Plants".
  
  
• Although most dogs love swimming, the potential for drowning still exists- even in backyard pools. Keep a watchful eye on your pet at all times. Try to avoid areas where they may be broken glass on the beach or in the water. Only swim in areas you know.
  
  
• Ear and skin infections can result after prolonged periods in the water. To remove water from your pet's ears, place a piece of cotton in the top of the ear canal and massage the lower ear to force water into the cotton. Also make sure you have dried your pet well after swimming to avoid getting hot spots.
  
  
• Most importantly, in case of emergency, keep your veterinarian's phone number handy. You may also want to familiarize yourself with the location of your local emergency clinic and phone number. It is helpful to keep a first aid kit at home or in your car along with a supply of fresh water.

Preparing for Animal Emergencies: The First Aid Kit

Hopefully your pet will never have cause for emergency medical treatment but it is important for all pet owners to be prepared "just in case".

Here are some ways you can be prepared for potential emergency situations:

1. Know what is normal for your pet and monitor your pet’s health on a regular basis to check for and identify any deviations from the norm.

2. Keep your veterinarian's phone number and the number of the emergency clinic in your area in a location that all family members can access easily.

3. Assemble a pet first aid kit suitable for home and travel. Be sure to learn how to use the individual components. Your veterinarian should be able to provide you with a list of what you may need.

4. Learn how to handle and transport a sick or injured pet.

5. Learn basic facts about conditions that might affect your pet. For example, if you have a pregnant pet expecting a litter at home, learn about normal birth versus difficult birth [dystocia].

6. Do not administer any home remedies without first checking with your veterinary health care team. Some common over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin (ASA) and acetaminophen can be toxic to pets, not to mention “Natural Remedies”.

7. Don’t panic.

How to assemble a basic first aid kit:

A first aid kit for a large dog will differ from a cat kit in the sizes of the bandages and other items, but the basic components are the same. Your veterinary healthcare team may have a sample kit to show you, or a kit list they recommend so be sure to check with them first.

Your pharmacy and veterinarian have all of the supplies you will need. Select a storage container that allows you to organize your supplies neatly. A fisherman's tackle box or tool organizer will do. Keep the kit out of reach of children and check it regularly for expired or depleted supplies.

Some suggestions for your first aid kit:
* Muzzle
* Protective gloves
* Digital / rectal thermometer
* Rubbing alcohol
* Lubricating jelly
* Hydrogen peroxide (3% strength)
* Antibacterial soap
* Sterile rinse solution (saline, used as wound flush or eyewash)
* Clean syringes (1 cc and 5 cc)
* Pen light
* Blanket for pet transport
* Q-tips®
* Adhesive tape
* Gauze squares
* Gauze roll
* Stretchy bandage
* No-stick sterile wound dressing
* Cotton roll
* Splinting item (e.g., a coffee stir stick or tongue depressor for small pets)
* Bandage scissors
* Tweezers
* First Aid ointment or cream
* Corn syrup