Holiday season hazards: a clinic guide to food, decor, plant and travel risks

Fatty table scraps such as turkey skin, gravy and ham drippings are a leading cause of gastroenteritis and acute pancreatitis, especially in overweight, middle-aged dogs. The column recommends confirming with pancreatic lipase testing and ultrasound, and treating with IV fluids, antiemetics such as maropitant, analgesia and early enteral nutrition. It also urges technicians to push for pain scoring, because abdominal pain in these patients is often undertreated.

Onions, garlic and related alliums can cause Heinz body hemolytic anemia, and cats are more sensitive than dogs. Signs may not appear for several days, so the column advises rechecking PCV and a blood smear at three to five days. Because the toxic dose of grapes, raisins and currants in dogs is unpredictable, every ingestion should be taken seriously. The suggested approach is emesis, activated charcoal, about 48 hours of IV fluid diuresis and serial renal values over 72 hours.

Xylitol, found in sugar-free gum, mints, baked goods and some peanut butters, can cause hypoglycemia, usually within 30 minutes. At higher doses it can cause hepatic necrosis. The column recommends serial glucose checks, dextrose as needed and monitoring liver values for 72 hours. It also flags raw yeast dough, alcoholic drinks, cooked bones, corn cobs, meat-soaked string and cherry pits.

Tinsel and ribbon are a linear foreign body risk, especially in cats. For a cat with vomiting or anorexia in December, the column advises checking under the tongue. Pets that chew electrical cords can develop noncardiogenic pulmonary edema 12 to 36 hours later, so they should be examined and monitored even if they look fine at first. Other hidden toxins include liquid potpourri, salt-dough ornaments, snow globes that may contain ethylene glycol, and button batteries. Emesis should not be induced after a button battery ingestion.

Lilies need the strongest client warning. In cats, a small amount of leaf or pollen can cause acute kidney injury, and outcomes are much better when treatment starts within about 18 hours. Poinsettias, by contrast, are only mildly irritating. Bird owners should know that overheated nonstick cookware can kill birds quickly, even if the birds are in another room.

Clients should call at least two weeks before domestic travel, and much earlier for international trips, to arrange health certificates and review vaccines. The column suggests scanning microchips at pre-travel visits. It notes that the AVMA and other groups do not recommend sedating pets for air travel. For car trips, gabapentin or trazodone may help, ideally after a trial at home.

Starting in early November, the column suggests asking clients about their holiday plans and using the answer to decide which topics to cover. Other tips are to give specific advice and pair each "don't" with a safe alternative. The safe options it lists include plain skinless white-meat turkey, green beans, carrots and plain canned pumpkin. Pets with known noise aversion should be seen before New Year's Eve so medication can be tried in advance.