companions: boo

Companions

boo! did i scare you?

by gerri reid, dvm

October brings the changing colors of the trees. We can enjoy cool crisp mornings while taking your morning walk with the dog. We can have a cup of coffee on our porch as the dogs can freely lay out in the yard most of the day. Fall is a great season! As we prepare for Halloween festivities, all pet owner should be aware of the dangers that lurk out there for our pets. Here are some tips to keep your little 4-legged goblins safe this Halloween.

The best part of Halloween is the CANDY of course! Kids and even adults enjoy the array of sweet treats we collect on that day. But those treats are not good for your pet. Chocolate candy can be toxic to your pet when ingested. It can cause gastrointestinal (stomach) upset which can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Candy containing artificial sweeteners such as Xylitol can be poisonous. In small amounts, xylitol can cause seizures and even liver failure. So, keep those treats to yourself and away from your pet as no one wants to spend the day after Halloween in the Emergency clinic.

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins everywhere! This time of the year we look forward to carving pumpkins and roasting pumpkin seeds. Pets tend to show interest in this tasty gourd, but be careful. Small amount of pumpkin is safe but ingesting large pieces of uncooked or moldy pumpkins can cause gastrointestinal upset and even blockage. Carve that pumpkin but be sure to dispose of it properly once it begins to rot and the season has ended.

Everyone loves to take their children Trick-orTreating and even bring our pets along for the fun. Glow sticks tend to adorn our trick-or-treater's neck or hands to light the way during the night. Keep glow sticks away for your pet as they may think it is a play toy. The "liquid" inside is non-toxic, tends to taste bad, and it can cause your pet to drool, paw at its mouth or even vomit. If your pet does ingest the liquid inside the glow stick, give your pet some water or a meal to help remove the taste from its mouth.

If your pets are not heading out to go trick-ortreating, be sure to keep your pets inside that night. Pranksters are known to harm animals on this night. They can injure, steal or even kill animals. Black cats are definitely at risk on Halloween night. Most shelters will not adopt out black cats during the month of October to avoid bad things being done to them. The best thing to do on Halloween is to keep your pets inside to ensure their safety and well being as the festivities of Halloween are enjoyed by all.

As we begin to enjoy the Autumn days, October is filled with pumpkinpicking, hay rides and Halloween. We take precautions for our children during this time by making sure they are safe when they go Trick-or-Treating but don't forget about your pets! Enjoy your sweet rewards after a night of collecting candy but keep your pets away from it. Everyone loves Halloween night as it is a time for the kids to enjoy those tasty sweets and for the adults to lie in wait to sneak a piece of candy or two from them! But remember to safeguard your pets on Halloween Night so they can live to Howl another day!

Dr. Gerri S. Reid is the Owner/Veterinarian of Reid Mobile Veterinary Services. She can be reached at 540-623-3029 or reidmobilevetservices.com or facebook @ReidMobileVetServicesa