Thanksgiving Staples that are Hazards to Pups

Happy Thanksgiving from Camp McDonald Animal Hospital!  We have so much to be thankful for, we are sure you do too.  Enjoy your holiday and keep your pets away from the Thanksgiving Day feast.

Have you heard of Bark Box before?  Several of our team's dogs get one delivered every month.  Gina says "Olive" knows its for her before she even gets it in the front door.   Its a box full of fun new toys and treats arriving monthly on your door step.  Check out their website here.  

Our holiday safety tips come straight from the Bark Box website this time.  Check them out:

‘Tis the season for sharing and caring. But if you care for your dog, here are 11 things you will NOT share with them on Thanksgiving.

Note: This list comes from the ASPCA’s list of hazardous foods for dogs. Of course, some dogs have stomachs of steel and can eat everything from light bulbs to onion sandwiches, but this list is for folks who want to be extra careful. 

1. Salty Turkey Skin

Your Thanksgiving turkey will be basted in a number of tasty herbs and spices, like sage or dill, which are bad for your dog’s tummy. The fatty skin, added salty brine, and added butter isn’t very good for dogs either. When they start throwing the puppy dog eyes, you can give those pups a tiny piece of turkey breast though!

2. Turkey Bones

When the turkey’s gone, the bones that remain are NOT a good chew toy for your dog. They are brittle choking hazards that easily splinter if chewed.

3. Stuffing

This Thanksgiving staple often contains onions, which poison dogs’ blood cells.

4. Garlic Bread

Garlic is a member of the onion family (as far as dogs are concerned), so this is also bad for their blood.

5. Fruit Salad

A good rule of thumb is to not feed dogs fruit with seeds or pits. These inflame doggie intestines. Yuck! So, no plums, peaches, or grapes. That includes raisins!

6. Sausage

Sausage is more than meat. Sausage also contains, onions, garlic, and a bunch of other ingredients we’ve already mentioned.

7. Pecan Pie

Dogs shouldn’t be eating dessert anyway, but nuts can cause muscle spasms and weakness of the legs for up to 48 hours. Walnuts and macadamia nuts are the worst.

8. Booze

Whether wine or beer, alcohol is simply not good for dogs. Grapes and hops are both toxic to dogs, and so is the alcohol itself.

9. Pumpkin or Sweet Potato Pie

This one’s tricky. Both pumpkin and sweet potatoes are good for dogs. But for Thanksgiving many people add cinnamon and nutmeg to their pumpkin or sweet potato dishes which isn’t so great for our pups.

10. Ice Cream

Just like humans, some pups handle dairy just fine– others get a tummyache. It really depends on your pup.

11. Moldy Foods

I’m sure you don’t intend to feed your dog moldy, rotted food, so what I’m really trying to say is watch your dog around your overflowing trashcan. Moldy foods produce harmful mycotoxins, which just sound scary and do serious damage to your dog’s health.

For more food hazards check with the ASPCA.

What is a Zoonotic Disease??

While many diseases will only affect one species of animals, there are some that will cross from one to another.  A zoonotic disease can be transmitted from animals to people.  As we share our home with pets, as well live in a community with many domesticated and non-domesticated animals, it is good to be aware of those diseases we could easily share. With good hygiene and preventive care, the risk of acquiring something from your pet is minimal, but remember that pets lacking care, feral or roaming pets, as well as wild animals will always pose a threat. 

There are numerous diseases that pets and people can share.  I will focus on the diseases we more commonly encounter in this area.  The first article will discuss parasites and the second will cover other infectious diseases. 

While reading about these parasites can be unnerving, with good hygiene and prevention measures, risk of disease can be kept to a minimum.  The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) website for pet owners has extensive information about many parasites. It is a great resource for pet owners.  The CAPC is the veterinary authority on parasitism.

Roundworms and Hookworms

If you have ever had a young puppy or kitten, your veterinarian probably prescribed a course of dewormer. This is because the life cycle of roundworms and hookworms is very difficult to break. The intestinal parasite exam (fecal sample) we recommend for every pet checks for these and other parasites.  Most heartworm preventatives also protect against intestinal parasites, therefore year around preventative is recommended.  

Roundworm—Pets with these parasites shed eggs when they defecate which will remain in the environment for years! Roundworm eggs can be accidentally eaten by people, most often children. A larvae from the roundworm egg can migrate into the liver, lung, brain, or eye tissues, causing significant and serious illness. 

The raccoon carries a particularly nasty roundworm with similar characteristics. While it can migrate in organs or the eye, it has an affinity for brain tissue. It can affect pets as well as people.

Hookworm—While this parasite’s eggs will not survive in the environment for a long period of time (they are killed by freezing temperatures), they will also affect humans.  The larvae “hatches” from the egg and will penetrate the skin of people that come in contact with it.  It migrates under the skin causing an irritating rash. 

Toxoplasmosis

The intended host of Toxoplasmosis is the cat.  Cats are infected with Toxoplasmosis when consuming small prey, eating raw infected meat, or consuming Toxoplama eggs.  An infected cat will shed eggs for approximately three weeks, but often show no signs of illness. The eggs must be in the environment for 24 hours before they can infect humans. Toxoplasmosis is acquired by humans (or other mammals) through either accidental ingestion of eggs shed by a cat or consumption of immature forms in undercooked meat.  Toxoplasmosis is of particular concern for expectant mothers as it can harm the unborn child.  Immunocompromised people are at higher risk of disease if exposed, as well.  This parasite also has an affinity for brain tissue.  Given the lifecycle of this parasite, an indoor kept cat on a commercial diet poses less threat to an expectant mother than the outdoor and feral cat population.  One may encounter their feces when doing yardwork.  Eggs can remain in the environment for months to years.  Raw meat, particularly meat raised where food animals and cats comingle, can also have encysted immature Toxoplasma organisms.

Human exposure can be limited by daily scooping of litter pans, keeping cats indoors, not feeding raw meat to your cat, proper handling and cooking of meat for yourself, and wearing gloves while gardening. 

With all parasites, picking up pet waste immediately, good hygiene, and preventative care for pets will limit likelihood of exposure.  For more information on parasites and your pet, visit the website for the Companion Animal Parasite Council (www.petsandparasites.org).  

article written by:

Laura Rau-Holl, DVM

Wolf Merrick Animal Hospital, Kenosha, WI

Happy Halloween! Let's Have a Fun and Safe Time!

In my home, Halloween marks the beginning of the high calorie festivities season.  Costume dreams and candy-fetching master plans are at the forefront of the minds of most children, including my own.  It is a fun day for people of all ages, but for our pets, it can be a far different experience.  With some simple precautions, you can make this a much easier day for your pet. 

• Even for an easy going pet, the visiting trick-or-treater’s can be stressful.  Children are noisy and fast moving already, but in a costume and well “sugared”, kids can be terrifying to some pets.  Pets should be kept indoors and may feel more secure in their own space away from the chaos.  If needed, your veterinarian has calming pheromone diffusers that help alleviate anxiety in cats or dogs. 
• The frequent opening and closing of the door offers opportunity for escape.  Be sure your pet is well identified with a collar and tags at minimum.  A microchip affords permanent identification.  Having your pet stay in their own secure space or at least on a leash will lessen the possibility of escape. 
• Burning candles in Jack-o-Lanterns pose a burn risk and fire hazard.  There are plenty of candle-like options available that do not have an active flame. 
• Candy will make your pet sick.  Most people are well aware of the dangers of a pet eating chocolate.  Fewer people know about xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in more and more “sugarless” products, especially gum.  In dogs, a xylitol overdose causes a dangerous drop of the blood sugar as well as liver failure.  Ingestion requires immediate treatment.  Toxicity issues aside, the sugar, wrappers, sticks or plastic parts of candy will cause significant gastrointestinal upset or even obstruction. 
• As cute as pet Halloween costumes are, be sure they are comfortable and fit appropriately.  The pet should be able to freely move and eliminate.  Be aware of small parts on any costume that could be removed and eaten.

So, plan the costumes and treats for your neighbors, friends, and family, but remember to keep your pets safe and secure on Halloween night! 

And - if you haven't already - make sure to enter our Halloween Pet Costume Contest on Facebook for your chance to WIN $100 in hospital credit! See below for information on how to enter. (Again, please make sure these costumes are comfortable and safe for you pet.) Good luck! 

article written by:

Dr. Laura Rau-Holl

Wolf Merrick Animal Hospital, Kenosha, WI

How to give your pet a safe, happy Howl - A - Ween

How to give your pet a safe, happy Howl – A - Ween

Halloween is coming with all its tricks and treats!  For humans this holiday is one of the most popular each year.  However, for pets it can be quite a different story.  Here are some tips to keep your pets happy and safe this Halloween so that your fun holiday doesn’t turn into a true nightmare.  Animal emergency clinics report a spike at Halloween in both hit by cars and poisoning.

Keep your pet safely confined at home

Before the trick or treating starts put your pet in a quiet room with a fun food stuffed toy where you know they will be safe from all the hustle and bustle.  This will prevent your pet from bolting out the door when you answer it for the trick or treaters.

It is best to confine your pet even if you are just having people over for a costume party. All the costumes and commotion can send a normal happy dog over the edge when he can’t recognize his friendly family.  He could be fearful and try to escape or if cornered may attempt to bite because of his anxiety.

Trick or treating is not fun for most pets and it is best to leave them at home.  A leash can easily be dropped or pulled from a hand and your fun night will turn into a search and rescue mission very quickly.

Keep the candy out of reach

Once your pets are freed from the safe room make sure all the candy is out of reach.  Many candies are toxic to your pets and can cause anything from tummy upset to seizures.  No one wants their pet in the hospital for eating something they shouldn’t have.

Always make sure to have the 24 hour ASPCA Poison Control Center Hotline number handy – 888 426 4435.  The hotline charges a fee but has a database of things pets eat and can give your veterinarian life saving advice to treat your pet quickly and effectively.  If you suspect your pet has eaten anything call your veterinarian and Poison control immediately.

Halloween Decorations

Always be careful when decorating your home – these items can be very tempting for curious pets.  Some of the most dangerous decorations are lit candles, rubber eyeballs, glow sticks, fake blood, fake cobwebs, potpourri and strung lights.  These things can cause intestinal foreign bodies, poisonings or entangle your pet and cause them to injure themselves in an escape attempt.

Costumes

Most pets are happiest costume free but if the temptation to dress them up is too much for your to take a few simple rules will help keep your pet happy in their new duds.

Make sure they have full use of both their ears, eyes and legs.  Anything overly restricting may scare your pet and cause them to try to run off. 

Remove any loose buttons or things they could chew / ingest.  A nervous pet will chew more and could swallow these items leading to possible surgery

If your pet shows signs of discomfort while wearing the costume (fidgeting, pawing, scratching, hiding) it is best to remove it and realize they are not having nearly as much fun with this as you are.

Following these tips will help to keep your pet safe and happy at home this Halloween!

article written by:

Dr. Lorene Rockwell 

Wolf Merrick Animal Hospital