Frostbite and hypothermia can occur with our pets within minutes in sub zero temperatures. Frostbite most commonly affects the ears, tails, scrotum, and feet. Signs of frostbite include flushed or reddened skin and/or foot pads. Then white or grayish color changes occur, evidence of shock becomes more apparent, scaliness of skin, and eventually sloughing of skin or foot pad surfaces. Frozen areas should NOT be rubbed or massaged. Warm the affected areas by using warm and moist towels. Once the affected areas appear flushed, discontinue treatment. Dry the affected area after warmed. Wrap your pet in a blanket to help conserve heat and take them immediately to a veterinarian.
Signs of hypothermia include severe depression, fatigue, confusion and loss of consciousness. Their skin will typically feel cold to the touch. Wrap your pet in a towel or blanket and take to a veterinarian immediately.
Electrical Cord Burns
Electrical burns can happen during the holiday season. Those Christmas trees and lights can be irresistible! Care needs to be taken to keep cords out of reach. Chewing on a cord can cause an electrical current to enter your pet and cause life threatening ailments. Abnormal heart rhythms, shock, lung edema, and burns to the mouth can happen within minutes to hours. Signs of burns include excessive drooling, reluctance to eat, difficulty breathing, severe depression, loss of consciousness, seizures and death. If you suspect that your pet has chewed on an electrical cord take them to a veterinarian immediately.
Tinsel
Tinsel is used often for decoration during holdiay months. Many animals are attracted to it, especially cats! When tinsel is ingested, it will stretch inside the intestines. This can cause the intestines to bunch up. The tinsel can then act almost like a saw inside the intestines, which can lead to rupture of the intestines. This requires emergency surgery to fix. Many other objects can have the same effects as tinsel such as, ribbon, string and thread. Signs of ingestion can include vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain or straining to defecate. If you suspect that your animal has ingested tinsel, take to your veterinarian immediately.
Chocolate Toxicity
MMMM! Chocolate is a favorite of many holidays! Valentines Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas. While chocolate is perfectly safe for us, it can be very harmful to our pets. The active ingredient, theobromine can cause: vomiting, diarrhea, hyper activity, shaking, trembling, seizures and even death. Dark baker's chocolate has the highest concentration of Theobromine per ounce while milk chocolate has the least. If you believe that your pet has ingested chocolate, contact your veterinarian and inform them of the amount and type of chocolate consumed.
Antifreeze
Ethylene Glycol, the active ingredient in Antifreeze can be fatal! The substance is very sweet tasting and smelling which makes it irresistible to your pets. As little as 2 tablespoons can be fatal to a cat or small dog. Ethylene Glycol causes changes to your pets brain and can cause kidney failure. Signs that your pet may show after ingestion are: staggering or"drunk like" walking, vomiting, excessive urination, no urination, loss of consciousness, seizures, and death.
If you suspect that your pet may have ingested antifreeze, take them to your vet IMMEDIATELY.
The best treatment is prevention Remove all antifreeze from surfaces Keep antifreeze in enclosed cabinets with a lock Keep pets out of the garage Have professionals handle the antifreeze away from your home
As a dedicated team our priority is to provide professional, compassionate, and innovative emergency care for you and your pet.
