The Vet at the Barn 790 Chestnut Ridge Road Chestnut Ridge, New York 10977 phone: 845 356-3838 fax: 845 356-4307
Chocolate - Good for people, Bad for pets So many gifts of chocolate are given throughout the year, and boxes are left open or trays placed on tables - far too easy for your beloved pet to innocently sample when your attention is elsewhere.... A small dog can develop vomiting/diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and an elevated heart rate from just two ounces of baking chocolate or 20 ounces of milk chocolate. And although Cats typically don't consume enough chocolate to cause anything more than an upset stomach, chocolate contains fat and caffeine-like substances. A pet's physiology is not designed to safely tolerate ingestion of chocolate - for pets, it could be toxic!
No Wine with that Cheese, please! Alcoholic beverages,when ingested in sufficient quantities, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, a lack of coordination, central nervous system depression, tremors, difficulty breathing, metabolic disturbances and coma. But enough about how alcohol affects YOU ! What about your pet ! For pets - which are not only smaller than us, but often metabolize substances differently - alcohol can cause death from respiratory failure. Even in small amounts, pets should not have access to alcoholic beverages or other alcohol-based products.
fax: 845-356-4307
"Sugar-Free" Additives and Your Pet Gum or candy sweetened with the sugar substitute xylitol may be what dentists tell their two-legged patients to chew, but pets are unable to handle these sweeteners. A dog or cat which may have eaten products containing any of these harmful ingredients may experience a sudden drop in blood sugar, depression, loss of coordination and/or seizures and should seek veterinary treatment immediately.
A Flower Bouquet Can be Beautiful yet Unhealthy If your beloved's favorite flower includes any of those listed below, make sure your cats can’t get near them:
- lilies - tulips (especially if potted, as the bulbs are the most toxic) - amaryllis (same as tulips) - Calla lily (can cause intense oral and gastrointestinal irritation) - daisies - chrysanthemums - baby's breath
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Roses and Thorns Caution must be taken when roses or other flowers containing thorns are present, as pets may play with, bite, step on or swallow a thorn. Serious infections from thorn punctures may result.
The Romantic Flickering Flame Candlelit dinners with your loved one can spark more than romance! Don’t leave a room with flames still burning. We all know what they say about curiosity....
Did you get the Vermont Teddy Bear or that Diamond ? Your dog or cat doesn't reflect upon how thoughtful or special the gift you received from your "significant other" was this year. Your pet is more likely to be focused on those balloons, that cellophane, the roll of tape, those ribbons, bows and other wrapping decorations, so PLEASE clean up and keep them out of your pets’ reach. Rushing your choking pet to the vet is not the way you want your holiday celebrations to end.
