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Dr Laura Morland
Dr. Laura Morland graduated from Kansas State University in 1971 with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. Dr. Morland is very involved in her community. She has four children and two grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoys raising Yorkies, Cairns and Maltese, and being a grandma. Dr. Morland may be reached at 620-724-8054 or visit www.girardanimalhospital.com.
Pets
2011-11-21 09:53:20
Holiday hazards for pets
Q: What are some of the holiday hazards that I need to avoid with my pets?
A: First of all, chocolate is known to be toxic to pets but just how much is too much? Chocolate and cocoa contain theobromine, a chemical similar to caffeine that’s highly toxic to dogs and cats. The darker or more concentrated the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. Therefore the most dangerous chocolates are baker’s chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, and gourmet dark chocolates. Dark-chocolate-covered espresso beans are especially problematic since they may contain large amounts of both theobromine and caffeine. Milk chocolate contains lower amounts of theobromine. Pets need to consume at least 1 to 2 ounces of milk chocolate per lb. of body weight before symptoms occur. The amount of chocolate in most baked goods is often relatively low and less frequently causes serious chocolate poisoning. However, GI upset-such as vomiting and diarrhea- are common following the ingestion of any chocolate product. Another holiday hazard is the ingestion of plants that are commonly found in households during the winter season. The familiar ones are poinsettias, holly and mistletoe. Though traditionally thought of as quite toxic to pets, the potential for poisoning from poinsettias is false. The milky sap of poinsettias contains irritating saponin-like(or detergent-like) properties. Exposure to the sap may cause irritation to the skin and mouth, along with vomiting and diarrhea, but it is unlikely that serious or fatal poisoning will occur. American mistletoe is less toxic than its European counterpart. Ingestion of mistletoe most commonly causes self-limiting vomiting and mild depression. Holly is also less toxic than previously thought. Ingesting holly will usually cause irritation to the GI tract from the saponins and physical damage to the stomach and intestinal tract form the spiny points of the leaves. Large ingestions of holly may also cause a bowel obstruction because the leaves are difficult to digest. Ribbon and tinsel are a third hazard during this holiday season because they are simply too tempting for cats to resist. Though they are not poisonous, when ingested they can result in bowel obstruction, intestinal perforations and peritonitis. It is important to visit with your veterinarian if you suspect any of these hazards to potentially be harmful to your pet. The Pet Poison Helpline is also available 24 hours, seven days a week. You can call (800) 213-6680 or visit www.petpoisonhelpline.com.
 
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