Spring has finally arrived in all its glory! Yet with this beautiful season come certain hazards that may threaten your pet’s health. The Meowing Vet describes tips on how to keep your dogs and cats safe in the springtime by teaching what seasonal plants and mushrooms are toxic, what Easter holiday items cay be harmful, and how to manage bee stings and spider bites. You will also learn what to do if you find a baby wild animal, such as a bird or bunny, in the outdoors. Keep reading…

An Easter Warning

Easter is a holiday that evokes many feelings for so many people. Spirituality. Cute bunny rabbits. Easter egg hunts. And chocolate. Oh, chocolate, how I love thee. How I drool for thee! Yet no matter how much my dog drools for thee also, I shall not give her any. As most of you surely know, chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats if ingested, causing significant gastrointestinal upset (vomiting and diarrhea), hyperactive behavior, muscle tremors, fast heart rate, high body temperature, and possibly seizures. The darker the chocolate, the greater the toxicity, meaning eating smaller amounts of darker chocolates can lead to worse health effects in your canine and feline companions. So keep the chocolate Easter bunnies and chocolate-filled plastic Easter eggs out of your pet’s reach this holiday. Hot cross buns are a no-no, too! The raisins or sultanas in these sweet treats can cause GI upset and kidney failure in pets.

Easter eggs, either plastic or real, can be dangerous to your pets as well. Dogs are especially at risk, as they may chew and swallow pieces of plastic or a whole plastic egg, causing a possible obstructive foreign body risk which may be life-threatening and require surgery. I don’t know about you, but I nearly always forget where I hide all the Easter eggs, and there are always a couple that aren’t found until months later. If it’s a real dyed egg that becomes lost, its putrid smell may attract your pet to its whereabouts, posing a food poisoning risk with significant GI upset if your dog or cat eats it. Therefore, be sure to find all the missing Easter eggs before your pet does!

And speaking of poisoning, Easter lilies pose a serious danger to your kitty cat. Despite being stunning plants, Easter lilies can be potentially fatal if ingested by a cat. Easter lilies,  as well as other types of lilies, not only cause GI upset, but they can also cause significant kidney damage and failure if your cat is not diagnosed and treated promptly. Some cats also sustain pancreatic injury as well after eating lilies. If you suspect that your cat has eaten a lily, contact your local veterinarian immediately for treatment advice, which will likely include anti-nausea medications and hospitalization with IV fluids for a few days if kidney injury has already occurred. The prognosis is good for cats that are treated quickly prior to the development of renal damage, which usually occurs 12 or more hours after ingestion; the prognosis is unfortunately poor if renal failure has already occurred. Read below to learn about other toxic plants that your dog or cat may encounter this Spring. 

That being said, Easter lilies probably aren’t the best choice when considering anEaster gift for your friends who have pets in their homes. What makes an even worse gift? Baby ducklings, baby chicks, or baby bunnies! Yes, I know how precious these little babies are. Yet however cute baby ducks, chickens, or rabbits are, I implore you not to give these tiny animals as a surprise gift to your unsuspecting friend of family member this Easter. Pets are not novelties; pets are meant to be part of your family, protected for the duration of their lives to be kept safe, happy, and healthy. Without proper planning and responsibility, many baby ducklings, chicks, and rabbits become unwanted after the initial excitement wears off — especially as they age. An uneducated new owner may not have the correct supplies, dietary requirements, and housing for these animals, and many become ill or die due to improper care. Others are either put up for adoption, escape, or are released back into the wild (where many do not survive as they lack the instincts to thrive in the wild). Therefore, I beseech you to protect these adorable animals by taking a firm stance NOT to gift them this Spring.

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REFRESH YOUR MEMORY ON WHAT other HUMAN FOODS besides chocolate ARE TOXIC TO PETS BY READING THE MEOWING VET’S ARTICLE, “DON’T YOU DARE EAT THAT!“

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April Showers Bring May Flowers… But Some May Be Toxic to Your Pets.

Nothing smells quite as nice as a freshly blooming flower. However, some flowering plants and other foliage may pose significant health risks to dogs and cats. If you suspect your pet has ingested pieces of a houseplant or outdoor plant, consult with your veterinarian without delay in case the plant is toxic. If your pet is showing signs of illness after eating a potentially toxic plant, take a photo or break off a piece of the plant to bring to your vet for analysis during your pet’s appointment.

(The following information is not an exhaustive list of toxic plants, which may vary depending on your region.)

• Lilies: As previously discussed, lilies (both Easter lilies and other Asiatic lily varieties) are extremely toxic to cats if swallowed, leading to gastrointestinal disease and potentially fatal kidney failure.
• Flower bulbs: Though not typically fatal, ingestion of flower bulbs of many different plant species (including tulips, irises, daffodils, autumn crocuses, and glory lilies) can cause GI upset in dogs and cats. Swallowing the bulbs whole (mainly a dog issue) can also form an obstructing foreign body.
• Sago palm: Large sago palms, found primarily in the southern United States, as well as miniature bonsai versions for indoor use are extremely toxic to pets. Sago palms cause both GI upset and liver failure, which may progress to coma or death. The seeds are the most toxic portion of the plant, and consumption of just one or two seeds can kill a dog or cat! If you have a sago palm and observe decreased appetite in your pet, vomiting or diarrhea (especially if the stool is bloody or black), increased water consumption, weakness, or acting as if “drunk,” contact your veterinarian immediately. Treatment needs to be initiated ASAP, which includes activated charcoal administration to bind the toxin to prevent it from being further absorbed, anti-nausea medications, and special medications to aid the liver. If liver failure has already occurred, your pet will be hospitalized to receive IV fluids, glucose administration (since the liver helps maintain blood sugar), and possible blood plasma transfusion (as the liver normally functions to aid in blood clotting).
• Dumb cane: Dumb cane, also known by the scientific name Dieffenbachia, contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the lining of the GI tract if swallowed. Fortunately, the severity of toxicity is mild, often only lasting less than 24 hours with possible salivation, abnormal barking or meowing noise, and mild vomiting or diarrhea. Rinse out your pet’s mouth if you notice him or her nibbling on dumb cane or  similar calcium oxalate plants: Philodendron, Sansevieria (mother-in-law’s tongue or snake plant), Swiss cheese plant (Monstera), elephant’s ear (Caladium), skunk cabbage, jack-in-the-pulpit, peace lily, and umbrella plant.
• Rhododendron: Rhododendron and its relatives, azaleas and mountain laurel, affect both the GI tract and heart if ingested, causing potential heart arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm) that must be promptly treated by your veterinarian.
• Cardiac glycosides: Other springtime plants that can cause severe cardiac toxicity and possible death if eaten include foxglove (Digitalis), lily-of-the-valley, and oleander. Signs of toxicity include vomiting and bloody diarrhea, lethargy, aberrant heart rate and rhythm, difficulty breathing (dyspnea), uncoordinated movements, dilated pupils, muscle tremors, and increased urination, and potential fatality. See our information on Christmas kalanchoe to learn about another holiday plant that can also cause heart issues.

Fun Fact: Did you know that the cardiac drug digoxin used to treat certain types of heart conditions was first discovered from foxglove flowers? ❤

Toxic Plants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Learn about winter holiday plants that also pose a toxin risk for dogs and cats by reading our article on Holiday Pet Safety Tips.

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All Mushrooms Are Edible… Some Only Once. – Croatian Proverb 🍄

Mushroom risotto and truffle oil are some of my absolute favorite food items. Your dog or cat may be intrigued by mushrooms too, especially those growing in your backyard. However, many wild mushrooms can be toxic and potentially deadly if consumed by you or your pet. Below is a list of some of the most common poisonous mushrooms your pet may come across. If in doubt whether or not a mushroom your pet has just ingested is poisonous, put on a pair of gloves and place the suspicious mushroom wrapped in a damp paper towel in a plastic baggie to be inspected by your vet. If you suspect your dog or cat has ingested a potentially toxic mushroom, call your local veterinarian as soon as possible.

(The following information is not a fully comprehensive list of poisonous mushrooms, which may vary depending on your region of the world.)

• Amanita phalloides: This mushroom is better known by its sinister nicknames: the death angel, death cap, or destroying angel mushroom — fitting nicknames for this potentially lethal fungus. The death angel mushroom has a yellowish-green cap with a white stalk and is the most poisonous toadstool known. Not only does the death cap cause severe GI issues (violent vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain) shortly after ingestion, but it can progress to severe liver and kidney failure several days later, which often result in death following a period of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, or coma.
• Amanita muscaria: Don’t let this vivid mushroom resembling Toad from Nintendo’s Mario franchise fool ya. These vibrantly red mushrooms with white spots, called the fly mushroom or fly agaric, are dangerous! Nearly instantaneously after ingestion, the unlucky dog or cat will exhibit what are know as “SLUD” signs: salivation, lacrimation (excessive tear formation or “crying”), urination, and defecation. Poisoned animals may also have constricted (small) pupils, abdominal pain, and slow heart rate. Dogs may also exhibit additional signs of central nervous system impairment, including weakness, dizziness, opisthotonus (arching of the head and neck backwards), seizures, and difficulty breathing (respiratory depression), which can progress to coma and death. Similar mushrooms: Clitocybe and Inocybe mushrooms cause the same signs of illness as the fly agaric, though central nervous system effects (such as seizure activity) do not occur.
• Psilocybe: Species of Psilocybe and Paneolus mushrooms are hallucinogenic and are commonly used by humans as illegal recreational drugs. If a pet were to accidentally ingest one of these ‘shrooms, he or she would have very frightening hallucinations and possible seizures, which require prompt veterinary attention.
• Gyromitra (false morels) and Helvella: These mushrooms resembling brain tissue, which are generally seen in the springtime under the cover of evergreen trees, can cause GI upset, nervous system impairment, and blood cell injury (hemolysis and hemoglobin damage). Signs of illness include vomiting, yellowish skin (icterus), bloody or dark urine (hemoglobinuria), lethargy, convulsions, and possible coma.
• Chlorophyllum: With its greenish-gray spores, Chlorophyllum (or the green parasol or false parasol mushroom) can oftentimes resemble the much deadlier death angel mushroom. While Chlorophyllum and many other wild mushrooms may not be as dangerous as the death angel, GI upset can occur following ingestion by your dog or cat. The span of illness is generally two days or less with vomiting and diarrhea being common.

Poisonous Mushrooms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Found a Baby Wild Animal Outside. What Do I Do Now?

The Wildlife Center of Virginia, based in the U.S., provides excellent resources for Good Samaritans who happen across a wild baby animal and wish to help it. However, just because you find a young wild animal by itself does not always mean that it is separated from its mother or is in danger. Sometimes, more harm is caused by the well-meaning actions of people who move or take in the young animal. There are times when you should just leave a baby rabbit or baby bird exactly where you found it. As described in the infographics provided below, The Wildlife Center of Virginia explains when to help a wild animal (usually by taking it to a wildlife rehabilitation center) and when to just leave the animal in its natural habitat to await its mother’s return. (Ask your veterinarian for the contact information of a wildlife rehabilitator near you.)

Click the images below to learn step-by-step instructions about what to do if you find a baby wild animal in the great outdoors… or just in your backyard. Learn more on the Virginia Wildlife Center‘s website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(images above from The Wildlife Center of Virginia)

Got a Bee in Your Bonnet? 🐝 … Or Worse, a Spider?!!! 🕷️

As important as bees and most other insects are to the environment, we pet lovers still hate it when our dogs or cats are stung while romping outside in the lovely Spring sunshine. If your pet sustains a sting from a bee, wasp, or fire ant, you usually do not have too much to worry about as most pets recover well with only a mild focal reaction. If you can see where your pet was stung, inspect the area and carefully remove the stinger if it is still in place. If your pet seems uncomfortable at the sting site, you can try to soak the affected area in a lukewarm Epsom salt bath or apply a cool compress if your pet will tolerate it.

Some pets may have a mild allergic reaction to an insect sting or bite. If you notice your dog or cat developing some facial swelling or hives, you may administer an oral dose of over-the-counter diphenhydramine (such as Benadryl®) at 2.5 milligrams per pound of body weight until you can speak with your local veterinarian for further guidance. (Some drowsiness may occur.) In rare circumstances, your pet may enter anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis is an over-exaggerated response of the immune system to allergic stimuli (such as a bee sting), and may result in severe swelling, difficulty breathing (dyspnea), blood cell impairment (resulting in hemolysis, or the destruction of red blood cells), and possible liver or kidney damage (you may notice bloody or dark urine). If you observe these signs in your pet following a bee sting, try to administer the aforementioned dose of diphenhydramine and immediately take your pet to a nearby veterinarian.

Spider bites may result in pain and local swelling similar to bee stings. However, two spider species are of particular danger to you and to your pet if you reside in North America: the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider. If you suspect your pet has been bitten by one of these spiders, consult with your veterinarian quickly.

A bite by a female black widow, a spider with a rounded black abdomen featuring a bright red hourglass shape on its underside, transmits a neurotoxin. Signs of toxicity include muscle spasms and cramping, restlessness, severe pain, vomiting and diarrhea, high blood pressure, and fast heart rate. Cats may also have difficulty breathing. If treated promptly by your vet, prognosis is overall good (better for dogs than for cats however), and your pet will likely recover within 72 hours.

A bite by a brown recluse, a shy spider with a small and thin brown body with lighter violin-shaped markings towards the head region, can be much worse. The venom of the brown recluse spider acts to kill the skin (skin necrosis) and surrounding vessels at the bite site, resulting in a “bull’s eye” marking and soreness initially with significant tissue effects up to 2-5 weeks later. The area surrounding the bite site may slough off, leaving a large and deep ulcer that will not heal on its own and which may develop a secondary infection. Your pet may also suffer from fever and weakness, and your vet may detect a high white blood cell count (leukocytosis) and signs of hemolytic anemia (or red blood cell destruction) on bloodwork. In addition to medication therapy (anti-inflammatories and antibiotics), your pet may also require surgery to treat the wound. Prognosis can be very grave, often resulting in death or euthanasia due to difficult and painful wound management. If your pet does survive such a spider bite, however, recovery can take a long time.

Dangerous Spiders in North America

 

 

 

 

 

When a Snake Gives More Than Just a Little “Love Bite”

We vets treat many a snake bite in our dog and cat patients starting around the Springtime. Dr. James Murray, a veterinarian based in North Carolina, USA, joined The Meowing Vet last summer to discuss venomous wild snakes in the United States (copperheads, rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and water moccasins). Click the link below to learn how to distinguish venomous from non-venomous snakes and what to do (and what not to do) until you can get your pet to the vet if he or she sustains a snake bite.

https://themeowingvet.com2016/06/29/anaconda-dont-protecting-your-dogs-and-cats-from-snake-bites/

The Meowing Vet wishes you and your pets a safe and lovely Spring full of warmth and beauty! Share our helpful safety tips with all the animal lovers in your life!

– Maranda Elswick, DVM

(and Magnolia, my silly “Easter puppy”)

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