2 of the biggest Easter Hazards!

It’s coming to be that time again. Spring is here and Easter is just around the corner. Chocolate eggs, chocolate covered marshmallows, chocolate bunnies, chocolate everything! It’s also the time for Easter Lilies. Pretty flowers aren’t they? We usually like to keep them on the dining room table or in the living room on display. But did you know, if ingested, chocolate and Lilies are highly toxic to your dogs and cats?

Chocolate:
Chocolate and Cocoa contain caffeine and theobromine, a natural stimulant, both are toxic to cats and dogs. Once ingested they can cause and increase in heart and respiratory rate, low blood pressure, seizures, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and restlessness. Advanced toxicity can lead to heart failure, weakness and coma. If left untreated it can be fatal.

Not only are we extremely worried about the toxicity of the chocolate but all of the wrapping that covers that chocolate can become harmful as well. There’s tinfoil, plastic wrapping, cardboard and other things that can potentially cause your pet to end up with a foreign body in their system.

Lilies:
As you may or may not know there are many different species of Lilies. All can be harmful and should not be ingested. However, some species of Lilies cause mild symptoms such as irritation to the mouth, tongue, pharynx, and esophagus, drooling, foaming and vomiting. While other species, even if the water from the vase is drank or pollen is ingested can cause severe, acute kidney failure, heart arrhythmias and even death.

So, whenever there’s chocolate and/or Lilies around please be sure to keep them up high, away from your pets reach. If they do happen to ingest Chocolate, Lilies or anything else that could be toxic please bring them to your veterinarian ASAP. Time is of the essence. They will need to induce vomiting and give your pet activated charcoal which helps prevent the body from absorbing anything. In some cases, if left too long, your pet may need blood work and hospitalization.

If ever your beloved pet ingests either of these or anything else that they shouldn’t eat contact us at Lakeshore Road Animal Hospital. If it’s after hours, no worries we are on call for all of your emergencies.

For a list of toxic products please visit our website at [email protected] for more information.

Written by Sarah, Hospital Manager/Veterinary Technician
Lakeshore Road Animal Hospital
2319 Lakeshore Road W.
289-837-0100