Even the fake green or purple Easter grass overflowing the baskets can be hazardous. Cats love the long strands (puppies too!), but if they ingest them, they can cause what’s called a linear foreign body, which can be deadly. And that beautiful Easter Lily centerpiece is also a danger. This plant, and related plants in the lily family, can cause kidney damage when ingested.

But springtime hazards for your pets go far beyond Easter. People and pets are spending more time outside doing yardwork, planting flowers cleaning out garages, etc. Don’t let your pet come in contact with lawn chemicals, fertilizers, antifreeze, or pesticides. Bone meal can also be toxic, as can cocoa mulches.

When planning your spring planting, keep in mind not all plants are pet friendly. Here are a few of the ones to avoid.

• Azaleas are a common ornamental landscaping shrub. In addition to stomach upset and drooling, this plant can cause lack of coordination, paralysis and even death if your pet eats its leaves.
• Castor bean can burn your pet’s mouth, and its seeds can be fatal if swallowed.
• Lilies and daffodils are common this time of year, but they can be toxic to dogs and cats if ingested. Pets can experience vomiting and lethargy and eventually kidney failure.
• Grapes can cause lethargy, vomiting and possible kidney failure when a dog eats enough.
• Dieffenbachia can burn the inside of your dog’s mouth as well as make the esophagus swell, potentially blocking his or her airway.
• Lily of the Valley contains cardiac glycosides, which when eaten, can cause heart arrhythmias, as well as vomiting, diarrhea and seizures.

And one more springtime danger. Mosquito season is approaching. Make sure your dog’s heartworm medication is up to date. If you need to get a refill or heartworm test, give Powell Veterinary Service a call at 970-352-9164.

The post Springtime Hazards for Your Pets first appeared on Powell Veterinary Service.

What Are E-Cigarettes?

Electronic cigarettes, more commonly known as e-cigarettes, e-cigs or vape pens, are small devices that dispense a nicotine vapor that people inhale to get the same effects of smoking. The battery-operated e-cigs hold a cartridge that has a liquid form of nicotine. When a smoker ignites the e-cig, it delivers a nicotine vapor. Each e-cig cartridge contains about the same amount of nicotine as found in 2 cigarettes but without all the other harmful chemicals found in tobacco. Unfortunately, with the rise in e-cig use has come a related increase in visits to emergency veterinary clinics.

Why Are E-Cigs Dangerous for Pets?

Nicotine is toxic to animals. Before the availability of e-cigs, an animal needed to consume several cigarettes to experience a toxic effect. Cigarettes are generally not enticing to dogs and cats, and therefore they are not a serious concern for pet owners. With the increasing popularity of e-cigs, that has changed. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, calls about nicotine poisoning in dogs or cats that have ingested the liquid nicotine in e-cig refill cartridges have increased significantly over the past couple of years.

The increased danger for pets is due to the amount of nicotine in an e-cig cartridge and the fact that the aroma of liquid nicotine can be attractive to pets—especially flavored nicotine cartridges. Plus, the nicotine cartridges are often sold in packages that may contain as many as 100 cartridges. Although a large dog that ingests one nicotine cartridge may show little or no toxic effect, in a small dog or cat a similar amount can be fatal. Also, since the nicotine is in liquid form, it’s absorbed into the bloodstream faster, producing symptoms and toxic effects very rapidly. Plus, the cartridge itself can injure your furry friend’s mouth or cause a life-threatening intestinal blockage.

What Are the Signs of Nicotine Poisoning?

Nicotine mainly affects an animal’s central nervous system, cardiopulmonary system and gastrointestinal tract. If your pet ingests liquid nicotine in an amount equal to 2 or more cigarettes, he or she will likely experience drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, agitation and rapid breathing. Other signs of nicotine toxicity include shallow respiration, decreased heart rate, muscle twitching, and cyanosis or bluish skin and mucous membranes.  If left untreated, cardiac arrest, coma and death can occur.

What Should You Do for a Nicotine Overdose?

Because the onset of symptoms is so rapid, immediate action must be taken to avoid serious, even lethal consequences. There is no home treatment to help your pet. Call your vet or an emergency veterinary hospital for professional treatment. The seriousness of the toxicity will depend on the size of the animal and the amount of nicotine ingested.  Of course the best treatment is prevention. Make sure you keep your e-cigs and nicotine refills where you pet can’t get to them, and be sure to impress upon your kids who smoke e-cigs the importance of keeping them away from your animals.

E-cigs may be a somewhat healthier alternative for humans than regular cigarettes because of fewer toxins, but they are definitely NOT safer for your pets. If you believe your cat or dog has consumed liquid nicotine from an e-cig cartridge, you can’t afford to “wait and see.” Call Powell Veterinary Service at 970-352-9164 and we can begin life-saving treatment for your furry friend.

The post E-cigs: Why This Popular Smoking Trend Is Not Good News for Your Pet first appeared on Powell Veterinary Service.