Memorial Day Hazards
Memorial Day weekend can be a lot of fun, but sometimes this busy time can have potential hazards for your pets. There are a few things to consider especially during Memorial Day parties and cookouts.
- Alcohol: Always be cautious about any drinks, especially mixed drinks containing alcohol. Even a small amount of alcohol can cause your pet to be lethargic, depressed, and ataxic.
- Onions & Garlic: Onions and garlic can cause a severe anemia in companion animals. They also contain compounds that can cause damage to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. If your pet ingests either of these we may need to induce vomiting if they have recently been ingested.
- Bones: Bones of all kinds can cause gastrointestinal tract laceration and obstruction. Any type of bone can cause problems for your pets. We do not recommend feeding any type of bones from meat to your pet.
- Grapes and Raisins: Grapes and raisins are toxic to pets and should not be fed to them. Even a small amount of grapes can cause kidney failure. If your pet has eaten grapes please call our clinic to discuss it with your veterinarian.
- Table scraps: We do not recommend feeding table scraps of any kind to your pets. Some pets can become sick with pancreatitis after eating only a small amount of table scraps. Make sure to tell your guests that your pet doesn’t need to be fed from the table.
- Chocolate: Chocolates can be especially harmful to your pets. Any type of chocolate can cause gastrointestinal upset but many chocolates can cause cardiac arrhythmias as well. Dark chocolates and baking chocolates are especially harmful. Chocolate toxicity can be fatal to your pet. If your pet ingests any chocolate please call our office immediately and we can help to minimize the complications if it is caught early enough.
Do not forget that Memorial Day arrangements can be toxic as well.
- Lilies: Most types of lilies are toxic. This includes: Easter lily, Tiger lily, day lilies, and many other hybrid lilies. Ingestion of any part of the plant material or water contaminated with the plant material can cause serious consequences. The kidneys are rapidly affected causing renal failure. These plants can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and tremors. Death can occur even if only a small part of the plant is ingested. Cats tend to be especially curious about these plants. We do not recommend keeping these plants in areas where your pets have access to them. If a known ingestion occurs please contact us immediately.
- Iris: Iris flowers can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and hypersalivation.
If you pet has ingested any of the above mentioned items, please contact our office at 405-340-1020. We hope that everyone has a safe and wonderful Memorial Day weekend!