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PETS | Health and wellbeing
They may also administer IV fl uids to help
fl ush the toxin out of the body faster and prevent
or treat the severe dehydration that can occur
because of vomiting, diarrhoea or increased
urination. “You may also need to leave your pet
with the vet for observation,” Dr Felicia says.CAFFEINE PROBLEMS
Dogs and cats appear to be more sensitive to
the eff ects of caff eine than humans. One or two
slurps from your coff ee cup or mug of tea won’t
generally hurt, but moderate amounts of coff ee
grounds or tea bags can cause death in small
dogs or cats. This means chocolate with an extra
caff eine element presents further risk, and it’s a
timely reminder to keep caff eine products out of
reach, along with the choccies!
Not sure if your pet is having a bad reaction
to caff eine? “Look for hyperactivity, restlessness,
vomiting, tremors, elevated body temperature,
seizures or collapse,” Dr Felicia advises. Your vet
will also look for increased heart rate or blood
pressure, or abnormal heart rhythms.So while sharing may be caring when it comes
to attention and outings, keep the chocolate —
and any other caff eine or cocoa-based products
— strictly to yourself. Also, be aware that dogs
and cats can be very determined to get their
hands on your goodies, so treat them as you
would medicines around children — locked away
and well out of reach!WHAT TO GIVE THEM INSTEAD
While your pets may enjoy sharing with you, Dr
Felicia says this is more a social thing — they
aren’t going to be fussed about having the
same snack. “If you like to share at snack time,
there are plenty of pet chocies, treats and even
multivitamins dressed up as tasty chews. Keeping
a jar of their preferred ‘extras’ on hand means
never having to stare into their greedy gaze and
feel the guilt,” Dr Felicia says. Treats should take up
no more than 10 per cent of your pet’s daily intake
of calories, and keep an eye on the sodium levels
on the back of the pack — your vet can advise
what is a safe amount.http://www.petsmagazine.com.au
Chocolate is also on the no-go list for cats