BOSTON, Nov. 26, 2014 – As New Englanders prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with family members and pets, veterinarians at Angell Animal Medical Center are urging pet owners to avoid trips to the animal ER by following simple pet-safety recommendations throughout the Holiday season.
Thanksgiving, and the Holidays that follow, come with a host of pet hazards—mostly in the form of ingested substances that can be harmful or fatal to our pets. Angell veterinarians are especially concerned with the following ingredients, which are so plentiful this time of year:
- Chocolate – even 1/4 ounce ingested can spike heart rate and anxiety in a 10-pound dog
- Yeast dough – raw yeast dough can rise in the stomach and cause severe discomfort; many yeast ingestions require surgical intervention, and even small amounts can be dangerous
- Garlic, onions and chives – large amounts of these products can significantly damage red blood cells, causing anemia and possible kidney failure
- Fatty or spicy table food – bones can splinter and cause damage or blockage in the gastrointestinal tract; spicy or fatty foods can lead to inflammation of the pancreas; moldy or spoiled foods can lead to food poisoning, tremors or seizures
- Grapes and raisons – ingestion of these foods has been associated with kidney failure in dogs
- Macadamia nuts – in dogs, ingestion can produce vomiting, weakness, depression, lack of coordination and tremors
Angell veterinarians also recommend owners keep their pets away from lethal non-food substances so prevalent at this time of year, namely antifreeze and ice melt—both can be lethal if consumed by cats or dogs.
“The only sure-fire way to avoid a trip to the animal ER during the Holiday season is to keep our pets well away from these substances,” said Dr. Kiko Bracker, a veterinarian in Angell’s Emergency and Critical Care Unit. “Our hope is that people and their pets have an enjoyable and safe Thanksgiving Holiday.”
For more information about Angell Animal Medical Center’s Emergency and Critical Care Services click here.
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Angell Animal Medical Center cares for more than 50,000 animals a year and is one of the most acclaimed veterinary practices in the country. Angell has 67 doctors and an experienced support staff who work as a team to ensure high quality general wellness, emergency and specialty care. With 31 board-certified specialists and technology that includes an MRI specifically designed for animals, Angell is committed to providing a broad range of specialized expertise and experience, but delivers this care with one-on-one compassion that animals and their owners deserve. Angell is open for emergencies 24 hours of every day of the year, and offers night and weekend appointments with our specialty services.