Published: Monday, October 8, 2012
Courtesy photo
Dr. Jessica Gramlich is a general practitioner at the Animal Hospital of Nashua, 168 Main Dunstable Road.
Halloween is a very popular holiday for adults and children alike. The costumes, the candy, the decorations, the parties, it can add up to lots of fun but there are some pet dangers to be aware of this coming Halloween holiday.
A common Halloween danger is candy. Dietary indiscretion is more often a hazard for dogs rather than cats. A dog?s keen sense of smell, taste for carbohydrates and strong jaws and teeth make dogs a common sighting at the veterinarian?s office the days following Halloween. Candy can cause a simple case of upset stomach with the unpleasant side effects of vomiting and diarrhea. More serious complications can lead to pancreatitis, an inflammatory condition that can be life threatening for some animals. Most people know not to give chocolate to pets because it is toxic. The dose of chocolate toxicity is dependent on the kind of chocolate ingested and the size of the animal. A bigger threat to all pets, though, is from candy and gum sweetened with xylitol. It?s deadly to pets, so keep it out of their reach. Don?t forget that some healthy snacks can be toxic to pets, too. Raisin ingestion can cause severe kidney failure even with very small doses. If your pet does get into a toxic substance call your veterinarian as soon as possible because a swift response could help save your pet?s life.
Another Halloween hazard involves costumes. Many costumes are safe and can result in some very adorable pictures to share of your pet. There are store bought costumes made specifically for animals or you can make a homemade costume. It is important to make sure the costume is comfortable and nonrestrictive, inedible, and it doesn?t involve anything that could be toxic, such as heavy metals, dyes or paints. Many pets are accustomed to wearing sweaters and will be happy to play dress up with you. If your pet doesn?t like to wear clothing, please don?t make him. It is important to monitor your costumed pet as some will object to the clothes, chew them off and ingest the costume. This can result in an expensive or life threatening visit to the emergency room. oreign body ingestion is a common reason for emergency surgery for dogs and cats and unfortunately depending on the severity of the damage to the gastrointestinal tract, some patients will die from eating things that they can?t pass on their own. Occasionally, dogs and cats will chew on pieces from human costumes as well. Glow sticks and glow jewelry can be choking hazards as well as a source of mouth irritation from the liquid.
Some animal welfare organizations believe black cats are in more danger during the Halloween season. Many shelters will put a hold on adoption of black cats to prevent them being involved in rituals or cruel pranks. While there are some people who may have sinister plans for your black cat, most likely your pet will be in danger from getting hit by a car if left outdoors.
Pets with anxiety issues often have a hard time around the holidays. There are lots of unusual decorations which may cause fear in some animals. Decorations using candles can be a fire hazard as well. The increased number of visitors to the house for trick or treating and parties may be a source of anxiety for some pets and they may try to flee the scene. It is important to confine your nervous pet to a safe space where they can feel comfortable and will not be at risk for escape with the frequent opening of the door. The biggest hazard for animals that run outside is being hit by a car. Animals that run away are often victims of hit by car accidents. Other times, animals may be the cause of injury. Lots of strangers in costumes coming to the door can trigger territorial behavior or fear responses in some dogs, who may then become a bite risk. If your pet has a problem with the door bell please make arrangements to keep him safe.
It is important to include your pets into your holiday plans, whether it be involving them in the festivities or making sure they have a safe place to hide out to avoid trouble.
Dr. Jessica Gramlich received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She then completed a year-long internship at a 24-hour emergency and referral hospital in Rhode Island, where she gained experience in surgery and internal medicine, including sub-specialties such as radiology, ophthalmology, oncology, and dermatology. Gramlich is happy to be associated with a hospital committed to high-quality medicine and excellent client communication.
Gramlich grew up in Maine. She attended the University of New Hampshire for her undergraduate degree. An Undergraduate Research Fellowship at UNH gave her the opportunity to work in a laboratory. This lead to a position at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Mass., where she co-authored several articles for medical research journals. She is thrilled to have returned to her roots in New England, currently residing in Massachusetts with her fiance and their two dogs, Emma and Delia. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dogs, visiting family and friends, dancing, yoga and going out for breakfast.
Gramlich is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association.
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