Fall Season Pet Health Warnings are provided as a reminder to owners that different seasons can bring health hazards for your pets. 

Seasonal changes associated with fall can bring health hazards for your pets. Labor Day for pets and the “end” of summer festivities bring health hazards that affect your dogs and cats.

Fall Season Pet Health Warnings and Hazards

• With decreasing hours of daylight come challenges for exercising your pet in the morning and evening. 
• Reduced light have resulted in dogs and cats suffering injuries after being hit by a car during daybreak or twilight hours.
• Falling leaves bring scary noises from leaf blowers which can drive your pets into seclusion or destructive activity from anxiety.
• Moisture in leaves can allow for the growth of bacteria which can bring illnesses to your pets.
• Cold weather promotes creatures moving in doors, which results in the increase use of rodenticides in the fall.
• Certain plants like Chrysanthemum (mum) have a poisonous blooming flower in the fall. Toxicity from ingestion of this plant by your pets can result in vomiting, diarrhea, skin inflammation and difficulty walking. Take your pet immediately to an emergency room if they exhibit these signs of toxicity.
• Salts and chemicals used to melt snow can cause burning of your pet’s foot pads.
• Antifreeze leaking from a car radiator is a sweet-tasting poison for your pet. An ingestion of even a small amount can result in kidney failure in your pet.
• Outdoor pets can develop hypothermia if the temperature falls below normal.
• Acorns dropping from oak trees in the fall can be a surgical hazard if eaten by dogs.

Acorn Pet Health Hazards

As the trees are changing colors, the oak trees are often dropping their acorns at about the same time. Acorns can be problematic primarily in dogs as many dogs like to eat them. Eating acorns can cause two main problems:

1. Acorn Bowel Obstruction in Dogs
2. Acorn Toxicity in Dogs

Bowel Obstruction from Acorn Ingestion in Dogs

The first potential problem with acorns is that if swallowed whole by the right size animal, they can actually cause a blockage of the stomach or intestine that may require surgery to correct. Plant products are sometimes difficult to see on a routine x-ray which can delay the diagnosis and therefore the treatment. Sometimes they can only be found on special x-ray procedures requiring dyes (contrast media) that show up on the x-ray film and surround the acorn making it more visible.

Acorn Toxicity in Dogs

The second potential problem with acorns can be a source of toxicity in two ways. Acorns have high levels of tannins which can cause gastritis and vomiting. The vomiting can lead to dehydration; the gastritis may lead to stomach ulceration. The other potential toxin is not actually from the acorn but the molds that may grow on acorns that have been sitting for a while. Many of these molds release what are called "tremorgenic mycotoxins" which can cause seizures, some of which may be fatal if severe enough.

November Pet Health Warnings

November can have many pet health issues that seem to be much more of a problem than other months. Thanksgiving food can be hazardous to your pets, but we have included some tips below where everyone can share in the festivities.

 
Pancreatitis (Inflammation) in Dogs

During this month, most people celebrate Thanksgiving. There is usually a lot of varied foods, many of which may have high fat or oil contents or high spice levels. These are not usually present in your pet's regular foods. When eaten as a variation to a well balanced diet, especially in large amounts, these foods can lead to a sudden, painful, severe inflammation of the pancreas (the organ responsible for provide digestive enzymes and insulin). Pancreatitis can come on suddenly or creep up slowly. If left untreated, it can cause vomiting, dehydration and shock. Certain breeds (schnauzers) seem more prone but it can happen in any dog (or cat). Treatment usually involves several days of fluid therapy and intravenous medications.

Foreign Bodies in Dogs and Cats

Dogs and cats both can suffer from stomach or intestinal blockages from foreign bodies at this time of year. Both animals can get blockages from the bones of the turkey or ham often used for Thanksgiving dinner. The cats are also known for getting a "linear foreign body" obstruction from eating the string used to lift the turkey out of the pan. These obstructions are unique in that they cause the intestines to fold up like an accordion, which traps the loops of intestines and does not allow food to travel through. All of these obstructions often need surgery to ensure a favorable outcome.

Sharing Thanksgiving Dinner with Your Pet

If you feel driven to offer your pets a little of the holiday fare, then you might try small amounts of pumpkin (not the pie), turkey (skinless white meat, no gravy), green beans (without the casserole), peas (without the butter or seasonings) and sweet potato (without the brown sugar and marshmallows). Most pets can probably tolerate small amounts of these but some may not be able to stomach (pun intended) even these few foods. Feed at your own risk.

December Pet Health Warnings

December can have many health issues that seem to be much more of a problem than other months.

Pancreatitis (Inflammation of the Pancreas) in Pets

During this month various holidays are celebrated. There is usually a lot of varied foods, many of which may have high fat or oil contents or high spice levels. These are not usually present in your pet's regular foods. When eaten as a variation to a well-balanced diet, especially in large amounts, these foods can lead to a sudden, painful, severe inflammation of the pancreas (the organ responsible for provide digestive enzymes and insulin). Pancreatitis can come on suddenly or creep up slowly. If left untreated, it can cause vomiting, dehydration and shock. Certain breeds (schnauzers) seem more prone but it can happen in any dog (or cat). Treatment usually involves several days of fluid therapy and intravenous medications.

Foreign Bodies 

Dogs and cats both can suffer from stomach or intestinal blockages from foreign bodies at this time of year. Both animals can get blockages from the bones of the turkey or ham often used for holiday dinners. Either pet may also have problems eating pieces of ornaments or the wire hangers that they hang from.

Cats are also known for getting a "linear foreign body" obstruction from eating the string used to lift the turkey out of the pan. They also get these obstructions from ingesting tinsel from the tree or ribbons from packages. These obstructions are unique in that they cause the intestines to fold up like an accordion, which traps the loops of intestines and does not allow food to travel through. All of these obstructions often need surgery to ensure a favorable outcome. We have also seen several cats through the years that like to eat the needles from pine and fir trees. These can act like a severe hairball and can be very bad for them too.

If you feel driven to offer your pets a little of the holiday fare, then you might try small amounts of pumpkin (not the pie), turkey (skinless white meat, no gravy), green beans (without the casserole), peas (without the butter or seasonings) and sweet potato (without the brown sugar and marshmallows). Most pets can probably tolerate small amounts of these but some may not be able to stomach (pun intended) even these few foods. Feed at your own risk.

Plants Poisonous To Cats And Dogs

Plant Toxicities in Pets may occur with the following plants prevalent during December:

• Mistletoe: This plant can be very toxic and potentially fatal, especially the European variety. The main organ system affected is the heart; however, most common ingestion of the American mistletoe usually results in mild stomach and intestinal upset.
• Poinsettia: The true level of the toxicity of these plants has been exaggerated. This plant is more often an irritant rather than a truly toxic plant.  Signs most often reported when this plant is ingested are vomiting or diarrhea, anorexia, and depression.
• Holly: This plant is moderately toxic most often presenting with intestinal upset symptoms, but can have worse symptoms if large amounts are ingested. The most common signs are vomiting, salivation, diarrhea, and anorexia.
• This plant can be very toxic and is potentially fatal to cats. Potentially lily members of the ilium family (Stargazer, Tiger, Asian, Easter, Show Lily) can cause kidney failure in cats. Some types of day lily can cause kidney failure also.
• Christmas Rose: This plant is moderately toxic most often presenting with intestinal upset symptoms, but can have worse symptoms if large amounts are ingested.
• Christmas Cactus: This plant is another irritant and not truly toxic. Expect vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and depression with ingestion of this plant.

If you would like to learn more about seasonal pet health hazards from the Plantation Pet Health Center, please call 972-731-0001 to schedule an appointment or complete an Online Appointment Request.