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Winter Toxins
Posted by editor (editor) on Dec 10 2010 at 5:10 PM
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Ethylene glycol (anti-freeze)
Ethylene glycol is found in anti-freeze. It has a sweet taste which both cats and dogs enjoy the taste of and will drink. Only very small quantities of ethylene glycol are needed to lead to signs of toxicity. These include rapid onset vomiting, disorientation/behaving as if drunk and drinking a lot of water. The most serious effect of ethylene glycol toxicity is kidney failure, which can develop within a few hours of ingestion. Animals which present  with signs of kidney failure often have a very poor prognosis.
If you are concerned your pet has drunk any anti-freeze it is vital they are seen immediately by a vet.
As anti-freeze has such as pleasant taste to dogs and cats check for leaks from car radiators, clean up any spilt antifreeze and store bottles safely.

Christmas Foods

Various Christmas treats can prove toxic to our pets. Over the festive period please avoid allowing your pets access to:

Chocolate
Theobromine is the chemical found in coca which can cause; vomiting, diarrhoea, high heart rate, high blood pressure, muscle tremors and seizures in dogs.  Theobromine is found in higher quantities in dark chocolate and cocoa powder than in milk chocolate. If your does dog ingest any chocolate please let us know. If we know how much and what type of chocolate your dog has eaten we can calculate if they may have received enough theobromine to lead to toxicity and instigate treatment before some the more serious clinical signs develop.

Raisins and Grapes
Grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas can lead to renal failure in some dogs. It is not fully understood why this occurs. Some dogs can eat large quantities of grapes without developing problems where as others can develop very serious clinical signs from eating as little as few grapes. Even dogs who have eaten grapes without problems in the past have been known to become ill.
It is therefore strongly advise that dogs should not been treated to Christmas cake, mince pies, Christmas pudding or stolen over the festive period.
Very few reports of cats develop renal failure from grapes have been recorded but it best to avoid cats eating grapes as well.
Sweets and artificial flavouring (xylitol)
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in chewing gum, cakes and sweets. It is used as a substitutefor sugar and is often found in sugar free/diet products. If eaten by dogs xylitol can cause liver failure and very low blood sugar which can lead to weakness and seizures.

Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, tremors, dizziness, high temperature, painful abdomen, lameness and stiffness if eaten by dogs.

Peanuts
Peanuts can cause some individual dogs to develop hallucinations, seizures, agitation and muscle twitching.

Gravy/Stuffing
These products are often made with onions, garlic, chives, leeks and shallots. These vegetables can cause gastrointestinal problems. However more seriously they can cause the breakdown of red blood cells 1-5 days after ingestion. This can lead to a very serious anaemia.  Cats are particularly susceptible.

Christmas Plants

Ivy
The type of ivy found in Christmas decoration is not generally ‘poison’ ivy but along with Holly can cause vomiting in cats and dogs. However Ivy poisoning is cause serious signs in rabbits including muscle twitching, convulsions and prove fatal. Decorations should be kept out of the reach of house rabbits.

Mistletoe
Mistletoe is the common name given to different types of plants. Mistletoe as we know it the UK can cause vomiting, salivation and occasional weakness. The plant referred to in America as mistletoe is much more toxic and can neurological problems.

Poinsettia
Poinsettias are toxic to cats, generally causing vomiting and gastric irritation.

Lilies
Some species of lily are very toxic to cats. These include the flowers, leaves and pollen which cats will often lick of their paws if it drops onto surfaces and carpets.  Lilly toxicity can cause renal failure in cats and only small quantities are needed to cause serious illness. As the pollen can drop onto the floor it is best to avoid lilies if you have cats at home.

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