Easter Toxicity

Happy Easter!!! Everyone over at the Animal Hospital of New Albany wishes everyone including the furry family members a happy and SAFE holiday.

Easter chocolate and Easter Lilies are the main staples of this holiday.  Did you know that both are toxic to your pets!?!?

Chocolate toxicity comes from the property Methylxanthines alkaloid (theobromine and caffeine are specific to chocolate). Dogs tend to be the most susceptible, but cats can be affected as well. Methylxanthines are readily absorbed through the GI tract which makes this ingestion more problematic as there is a small window (as soon as 2 hours after ingestion)  before it starts to affect our pets. Clinical signs range from GI upset to death. Common symptoms are:

●     Panting

●     Vomiting/ nausea

●     Pain

●     Increase heart rate

●     Seizures / tremors / convulsions

●     Restlessness/ hyperactivity

●     Fever

●     Diarrhea and increased urination

These signs can last for 12-72 hours, which is dose dependent.  Quick treatment is warranted for a great prognosis. Generally decontamination, activated charcoal , and medication for clinical signs is the standard of care.

REMEMBER chocolate products have different levels of methylxanthines. So if your pet consumes chocolate/ chocolate by-product please take note of what kind and how much is ingested.

Easter Lilies are highly recognized plants and are given away during the Easter holiday. However, this plant is extremely toxic to cats.  The toxicity causes acute renal failure in cats  that will lead to death if not treated. Please note all parts of the plant are toxic, including the pollen. Dogs generally only experience mild GI disturbances. 

If you see that your cat has eaten or brushed up against this plant please seek out immediate veterinary care. The most common external clinical signs are:

●     Vomiting

●     Anorexia

●     Lethargy

Standard of care is to do serial monitoring of the kidney values, decontamination (sometimes including bathing), and to have intravenous fluid therapy for 24-72 hours. If caught early and there is  successful decontamination, prognosis is generally good.

Please be aware that other members of the  Liliaceae family can be toxic, but renal toxicity specifically is seen in true lilies or daylilies. Please seek immediate medical attention if any lilly is eaten or pollen is seen on your pet, dog or cat alike .

Please have a safe and fun holiday, Happy Easter.
 

Thanks!

The staff at the Animal Hospital of New Albany