Classic Candy Toxins
This time of year, it seems like there’s candy EVERYWHERE. But your dentist isn’t the only one groaning - technicians at your local emergency veterinary clinic are bracing for the inevitable spike in cases of toxin ingestion and gastrointestinal obstructions.
You may already be familiar with one of the biggest culprits - chocolate. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, two stimulants that dogs and cats metabolize very slowly. When these chemicals build up in their bodies, they can overactivate the cardiac and central nervous systems, causing tremors and tachycardia (rapid heart rate) and may prove fatal. Baker’s chocolate, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, and semisweet chocolate tend to have the highest concentrations of theobromine and caffeine, but even milk chocolate can cause harm at certain consumption-to-weight ratios. (White chocolate technically is made of cocoa butter, but has a high fat and sugar content that may lead to upset stomachs.)
Aside from chocolate, there’s a lesser-known fright hiding in certain candies and gums. As society tries to be more sugar-conscious, some folks start reaching for the sugar-free options of their favorite treats. The problem is that these items are often sweetened with xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that can be deadly to dogs (and ferrets, incidentally). Unlike traditional sugar, even small amounts of xylitol prompt a huge release of insulin from the pancreas. Since the purpose of insulin is to regulate blood sugar by moving sugars from the bloodstream to the tissues and organs, this sudden release quickly leads to hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This is a dangerous condition that can lead to seizures, tremors, nausea, and death within a short window of time. Dogs that eat xylitol in any quantity should be seen at an emergency vet immediately. (Current research indicates that cats metabolize xylitol more slowly and are likely not at risk.)
If the candy itself isn’t frightening enough, there’s also the wrappers themselves to consider. Without opposable thumbs, cats and dogs aren’t stopping to remove plastic packaging before stealthily scarfing your Baby Ruth. If they consume too much, the wrappers can scrunch up into blockages within the intestines, preventing pets from passing stool. A gastrointestinal obstruction is a serious medical emergency and often requires surgical intervention.
What You Can Do at Home
It can’t be said enough - your pets are smarter than you think! Keep packaged food shut in cupboards, freezers, or refrigerators far out of reach, and consider child locks for lower cupboards and trash cans that are more easily accessible. If you have small children, teach them as early as possible that certain foods can make Fido very sick, and that they must not leave them lying around or offer them to pets.
It’s also important to be able to recognize signs of a toxin ingestion, even if the incriminating evidence is no longer available. Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and a sudden decrease in energy can all be signs of gastrointestinal upset, while other signals might be more subtle like hiding or a bloated, hard or painful abdomen. You may even notice neurological changes like wobbliness or tremors.
If you find evidence of an ingestion (chewed wrappers, or fragments of wrappers/candy/snacks in vomit or poop), call the ASPCA Poison Control hotline at 1-888-426-4435 immediately. Even if you turn up at an emergency hospital later, this is likely the first thing the staff there will ask you to do. Toxicologists at Poison Control have access to an expansive database of cases, and therefore can make more accurate risk assessments based on your pet’s weight and the amount and type of toxin ingested than a typical emergency room doctor. Do not attempt to induce vomiting on your own - depending on what, when and how much your pet ate, this could make a situation worse. Note that there is a fee to use the service, but it may be waived if it is a financial hardship.
TL;DR
Prevent problems before they happen - keep candy and other toxic treats well out of reach of pets and the children who may inadvertently leave them lying around, or keep certain types of food items out of the home entirely
Be knowledgeable - check out this list of items known to be toxic to dogs and cats
Keep the ASPCA Poison Control hotline number in your phone (888-426-4435) and know the location of your closest emergency hospital
Do not try a home remedy or attempt to induce vomiting without first consulting with a veterinarian (or ASPCA Poison Control toxicologist)