Poisons & Toxicities

Each year around Valentine’s Day, we provide Emergency care to cats and dogs who have eaten flowers or candy that were gifts for their owners. Below are some of the more common Valentine’s Day pet hazards and tips on how to keep your pet safe. A Valentine’s Day favorite, chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine that is highly toxic to dogs. The darker the chocolate, the greater the concentration of theobromine. Ingesting even small amounts…

According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), Lyme disease is on the rise with over 300,000 cases diagnosed every year. In order to keep pets safe and healthy, it is important that pet owners remain aware of the following tips and Lyme Disease safety precautions. Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi which is transferred to both humans and animals by ticks. Thoroughly checking pets for ticks daily can help reduce…

Xylitol is a sugar-free sweetener used in chewing gum, baked goods, and many other products created for human consumption. It is commonly used by people with Diabetes Mellitus due to its low glycemic index and low-calorie content. Xylitol can be highly toxic to dogs, causing low blood sugar and liver failure.  The hypoglycemia is caused by insulin release stimulated by xylitol.  This effect generally lasts 12-24 hours but can be delayed.  The liver failure…