Keep your party animals away from holiday hazards

As you festoon the house for holiday festivities take precautions to prevent your pets from becoming party poopers. Every year, doctors at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine report a rise in the number of pets suffering from digestive discomfort and disease during the holidays.

For example, any small decoration or toy poses gastric hazard. If a child can choke on small toys or parts, so can the family pet. When a pet swallows toy batteries, the danger only intensifies from the energizer’s acid content.

The additional electrical cords that power holiday decor increase the risk of electric shock. Singed paws and whiskers often result from unattended candles or sparklers.

Tinsel and ribbons are particularly enticing to cats. Unfortunately, in the digestive tract, the thin strands can twist into a rope and cause severe intestinal blockages that sometimes require surgery. Likewise, candy wrappers, aluminum foil or plastic wrap can lead to serious breathing and bowel blockages.

A pet merrily munching on poinsettias, mistletoe, holly and other ornamental live or synthetic plants may quickly suffer the effects of poisoning.

Even table food can cause gastroenteritis (an inflammation of the stomach and intestine) or pancreatitis. Both conditions cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and listlessness. Poultry or pork bones can get caught in the esophagus, stomach or intestine and lead to severe digestive problems. Grapes, raisins, onions, alcohol and chocolate are toxic and can cause acute kidney failure, anemia or seizures or fatal diseases.

As usual, prevention and vigilance is the best strategy. However, if you suspect a pet has swallowed something harmful or become injured in the midst of the revelry, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Since most offices close for the holiday, keep the closest animal emergency clinic’s telephone number nearby. Both LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s Small Animal Clinic Emergency Room, at 1909 Skip Bertman Drive (578-9600), and Baton Rouge Pet Emergency Hospital, at 1514 Cottondale Drive (925-5566), will remain open 24-hours during the holidays.

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