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AVMA's Top Ten List on Holiday Pet Health

Monday, November 10, 2008 General News
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SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Nov. 10 Dr. James Cook, president of theAmerican Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), says he has a very unhappyholiday tradition -- treating pets that have become sick due to holidayexcesses.
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"From Thanksgiving through Christmas and into New Years, we'll see itevery year at my practice, and, unfortunately, some of them can't be saved,"Dr. Cook explains. "People want to involve their pets in the holidaycelebrations, but people need to focus on keeping their pets healthy. That'sthe best gift."
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Here are the AVMA's top ten holiday health tips:

-- Keep table scraps out of your pet's diet. "Salty, spicy and greasy"can be deadly for pets, Dr. Cook explains. Fatty foods can cause alife-threatening condition called pancreatitis in dogs, and bones can splinterin an animal's stomach. And make sure your dog can't get leftovers from thetrash.

-- Chocolate should be out of reach of dogs because it's poisonous. Thedarker the chocolate, the more dangerous -- with baker's chocolate being themost deadly.

-- Avoid sweets. A study reported in the Journal of the AmericanVeterinary Medical Association in 2006 linked xylitol -- a common sweetener inbaked goods, candy and chewing gum-with liver failure and death in dogs.

-- Give your pet healthy holiday snacks. Recipes are available on theInternet or visit a pet store/bakery. Ask your veterinarian about healthytreats.

-- Anchor your holiday tree. It's a temptation for pets, and, if ittopples, it can cause severe injuries. And keep pets away from the tree wateras tree preservatives and sap can cause gastrointestinal problems.

-- Never leave a pet alone with a lit candle or exposed flame, and bewary of exposed extension cords.

-- Don't let pets dine on holiday plants. Poinsettia, holly, cedar,balsam, pine and mistletoe are poisonous.

-- Be careful about ornaments. Cats sometimes consume tinsel and othersmall decorations, which can block intestines.

-- Don't go off to a holiday party and leave your pet with access totable scraps or anything that might be dangerous. If your dog gets sick whileyou're away ... it could be a tragic holiday.

-- Finally, don't give a pet as a holiday gift. Giving up apoorly-selected, new pet in January is heartbreaking.

For information, contact the AVMA at http://www.avma.org.

SOURCE AVMA
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