The picture is adorable, but the reality of your pet consuming unsafe food or plants is anything but! Please take a minute and view the tips below and have a Safe, Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!

Garlic, Onions (incl. chives, onions, leeks, shallots) – Did you know??? Most of the foods we cook with and use during our holiday meals contain onions and garlic – both of which can cause anemia in dogs and cats due to damage to the red blood cells directly? This can cause critical anemia and need for immediate medical care and treatment, possibly blood transfusions.

Gravy, Turkey or Ham – As mentioned above – if garlic or onions are used to season your holiday ham or turkey – please avoid feeding these to your pets. Also as a reminder, the fatty components of these meats as well was the fat/juices from the meat that are used to make your gravy can cause GI signs in your pet, such as vomiting and diarrhea, but can even predispose pets to develop pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) which is a painful condition that requires special treatment.

Turkey or Ham Bones – It seems intuitive that a dog would like to chew on a bone – and they certainly would enjoy it! HOWEVER, bones can cause fractured teeth, and when ingested, can cause GI signs (vomiting, diarrhea) as well as possible obstruction in the intestines, or even perforation of the bowel walls – BOTH of which can cause critical condition in your pets and require emergency treatment and oftentimes surgery.

Macadamia Nuts – Any nut can potentially cause upset stomach in our pets, HOWEVER, macadamia nut ingestion, in particular, can cause clinical signs such as weakness, depression, vomiting, walking wobbly/unstable, tremors, and hyperthermia (high temperature). Please seek veterinary care and consultation if your pet has ingested macadamia nuts!

Chocolate – Holiday chocolates and desserts are very enticing to our pets! Including candy, cookies, cakes, brownies, cooking supplies like cocoa powder, etc. Please remember that ingestion of chocolate can lead to sickness that can vary from mild to severe relating to gastrointestinal (GI) signs, cardiac/heart abnormalities, and neurologic abnormalities. These signs are typically caused by the theobromine and caffeine within the chocolate. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, increased drinking or urination, hyper-excitability, elevated heart rate, heart arrhythmia’s, tremors, and seizures. Please call us if your pet has ingested any amount of chocolate (sooner the better)!

“Garbage Gut” – This is term we use for blanket term we use describe clinical signs caused by a pet’s ingestion of human scraps and leftovers in the garbage – which can commonly be seen during the holidays! Clinical signs are most commonly related to the gastrointestinal tract, including vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, pancreatitis, and possibly intestinal obstruction if a non-digestible material or bones were ingested. However, if there are any moldy foods in the garbage – neurologic signs can occur such as tremors, hyper-salivation, seizures, etc. If you are noticing any of the above clinical signs, or you know that your dog has ingested the contents of your trash can, please call!

Poinsettia plants – If your pet chews on these plants, they are generally not fatal, BUT can cause significant irritation to gums and mucosa (lining) of the mouth as well as the intestinal tract (esophagus/stomach). Clinical signs include hyper-salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea. If they chew or swallow the plants, treatment and therapy can be instituted to help prevent clinical signs/side effects.

Mistletoe – This plant can cause higher toxicity than Poinsettia plants. Signs can include GI irritation, increased drinking and urination, wobbly walking/instability, low heart rate, hypothermia (low body temperature), difficulty breathing, seizures, coma, and can even be fatal. The minimum amount of ingestion that can be toxic hasn’t been accurately determined at this time. Signs could vary from mild to severe, as mentioned above, so seek veterinary attention if your pet has ingested this plant.

Holly plants – All parts of the holly plant are considered potentially toxic, composed of substances similar to chocolate (caffeine and theobromine) as well as detergent-like substances, and bitter-tasting components. Although these are considered toxic, true toxicoses from ingesting the plant are uncommon. However clinical signs could be GI irritation (vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite) and potentially mild to moderate lethargy and depression.

Traveling abroad with your pet can be very rewarding and adventurous. However, depending upon the country of import, the requirements to bring your pet into that country can have many variables.

Some countries can take months of paperwork and planning. Countries like Australia or New Zealand have never had a reported rabies case. These countries have stricter requirements so it isn’t introduced via an animal from another country. Just to note, one of our 50 states, Hawaii, does not currently have rabies and it is also very time consuming to bring an animal into the islands.

Though these obstacles exist, it is possible to enjoy another country, or Hawaii, with your pets.

It is important to do your research before considering taking your pet abroad. Please never show up at your vets office 2 weeks before you are about to leave having no knowledge of another countries regulations and paperwork needed. This will result in frustration for all parties involved. Below are a few tips that will help prepare you and your pet for the start of an exciting journey together.

1. Call your airline. Find out what you will need in order to allow your pet to make it on the initial airplane. Ask questions, if your pet is flying in cargo on a long flight, will they have access to food or water? Do you need to bring a water dish? www.bringfido.com is a helpful travel website with information on traveling with your pets, domestic or abroad.
2. Go on the embassy website of the country you are visiting or moving to. Print out the requirements, make yourself a check list. Look at a calendar and the time requirements of all needed vaccinations and micro-chipping. These vary greatly among countries!
3. Print out all forms that need completed and signed by you and your Vet.
4. Coordinate the timed requirements and schedule your veterinary appointments in advance. If you know you will need to see your vet 3 times before you leave, schedule all 3 appointments at the same time. This way you know you have a spot on the schedule when you need it.
5. Keep a Binder or Folder of all receipts, paperwork, etc…
6. Make a back up copy
7. Check off as you go.

The consequences of not having all your T’s crossed and your i’s dotted can result in the quarantine of your pet. This is almost always on your dime and  again, depending upon the country, the time frame can vary between a few days and up to 4 months.

If all of this is a bit too much, don’t despair. There are Pet Travel Companies that will work with you from start to finish and give you good tips along the way. Companies can be found on the internet by typing in “Pet Relocation” in any search engine. However, like everything else, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! I cannot stress that enough. This can be a costly option, but well worth the peace of mind. Many of these companies also offer Military Discounts.

Safe Travels!

Thank You for supporting the Wexford Veterinary Hospital! To show our appreciation for your loyalty we are continuing the  Client Referral Reward Program. Any active client that refers a family member, friend or neighbor to the hospital will be offered a $25.00 credit to their account. It’s simple! Ask the person that you have referred to mention your name at the time of their visit and we will put a credit on your account. Thank You!

With the increase of Lyme disease in Pennsylvania it’s important to keep your pet on year round tick prevention. In the past, only animals who regularly hiked the woods or hunting dogs were thought to be at risk. Now, your own yard or curbside bush can hide those nasty little arachnids and your pet is the perfect heat source and meal to keep them going.

To give your pet the best advantage to fight fleas and ticks, use once a month flea and tick preventative. There are a variety of types from collars to liquids and the new oral chew to choose from.

Please call our knowledgeable staff @ (724) 935-5911 with any questions.

*Ask about our competitive pricing deals and as always, Wexford Vet only purchases our products directly from the manufacturer to insure quality product and care for your family pet!