Page 12 - Martin Downs Bulletin - November '22

Page 12, Martin Downs

tip oF tHe tail

Pet Safety For The Holiday angel hair (spun glass) are only slightly toxic. The fluid A few other, often overlooked, dangers include
Season in bubbling lights (methylene chloride) can be lethal if electric shock from chewing on Christmas lights or other
inhaled or ingested in large amounts. Tree preservative
electrical cords and traumatic injuries from cats climbing
varies in toxicity by brand, so read the label carefully. trees or children climbing pets.
New tinsel is nontoxic, but in the past, it contained Holiday festivities can get stressful. You should
poisons such as metallic cyanide. So be careful if your provide a special quiet place to which your pet can retreat
decorations have been passed down from relatives. when the excitement gets too stressful (Sometimes, you
Chocolate isn’t just dangerous to our waistline; it is may want to join him!). Family and guests are coming
dangerous to our pets. The danger varies with the type of and going, so watch out for open doors and windows to
chocolate. Unsweetened baker’s chocolate is the worst, prevent pets from escaping. Be sure your pet has a collar
then milk chocolate, and white chocolate is the least. with tags or a microchip. Discourage visitors from feeding
Toxicity can range from an upset stomach to neurologic your pets treats; we want our pets to enjoy the holiday
signs such as tremors to coma and even death. Coffee season with us – not with vomiting and diarrhea.
contains caffeine and theobromine which is harmful to The Palm City Animal Medical Center wishes you all
pets and can cause acceleration of heart rate and breathing a very happy and healthy holiday season.
or even seizures. Bread dough and other yeast products Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical
can produce alcohol and cause intoxication. Dough Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
Pet safety is especially important during the holiday can also block the intestinal tract or cause bloating. for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
season. We must remember our four-legged and winged Macadamia nuts can cause increased body temperature, surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
family members. Holiday festivities present situations muscle stiffness, increased heart rate and tremors. Pets medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
which can be hazardous to your pet, so a little precaution seem to be attracted to alcohol, so don’t leave drinks Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
is necessary for making this season a happy time for unattended. It is no joke to get a pet drunk; and serious medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
everyone. You may be surprised by what your pets can intoxications have occurred. Small amounts of antifreeze owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
get into during the holidays, but your veterinarian won’t can be fatal. Potpourri/potpourri oil can cause severe www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
be. We have seen almost everything! Plants, gifts and burns and ingestion can affect the nervous system. Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
decorations are just a few of the seemingly harmless
things that can change a celebration into an emergency Cleveland CliniC Martin
trip to the veterinarian.
If there is one rule, we should follow this time of
year … this is it: Anything they can swallow, they will
swallow! Obstructive foreign bodies are things our pets HealtH neWs
eat that lead to partial or complete blockage of their
gastrointestinal tract. We have seen animals that have
ingested needles, fish hooks, rocks, a spoon and even
razor blades. These objects can get stuck anywhere from Do You Need Lung Cancer
the mouth and lips, all the way to their back end. Pay Screening If You Quit
special attention to plastic toys, especially those with
small removable parts, strings or loose wires. Batteries Smoking?
are caustic and potentially highly toxic. They can cause
obstructions or lead to chemical burns. Linear foreign According to the American Cancer Society, smoking
bodies are among the most dangerous we encounter! contributes to 80 and 90 percent of lung cancer deaths in
Strings, tinsel and ribbons can obstruct or even cut women and men, respectively.
through the intestines. Tree ornaments can result in cuts. But what if you quit smoking? Quitting has some health
They can be swallowed whole or contain toxic dyes or benefits that start right away and others that can lead to
chemicals. Crayons, markers and pencils are usually improved health over many years.
nontoxic, especially if made for children, but can result The risk of having lung cancer or other smoking-
in vomiting or diarrhea. related illnesses decreases after you stop smoking and Corbin Hodder, D.O. Michael Marsh, M.D.
Many things can be poisonous, including plants, continues to decrease the longer you go without smoking,
decorations and even foods that are safe for people to though your risk will never be as low as that of someone • Lung cancer screening is not recommended if your
eat. Mistletoe is very toxic and can cause intestinal upset, who never smoked. risk of lung cancer is low, because the harms of screening
heart arrhythmias, breathing problems, seizures or a So, if you’ve successfully kicked the habit and are now may outweigh its benefits.
coma. All of the plant, especially the berries, is poisonous. a former smoker, do you still need to think about having • Screening is worthwhile only if you are healthy
Holly is moderately to very toxic, especially berries and a lung cancer screening? enough to tolerate the evaluation and treatment of any
leaves, and results in severe vomiting and diarrhea or Pulmonologists Corbin Hodder, D.O., and Michael lung nodules or lung cancers that are found.
nervous system depression. Poinsettias and all parts of Marsh, M.D., who see patients at the Cleveland Clinic If your doctor recommends screening, look for a
the Christmas tree are only mildly toxic. Martin Health Family Health Center in Stuart, offer program where experts take the time to discuss its risks
Decorations are beautiful, but potentially dangerous advice on this topic: and benefits with you, and are experienced in lung cancer
to our pets. Snow spray, fireplace colors (fire salts) and • Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about evaluation and treatment.
your risk for lung cancer. Lung cancer screening is Meanwhile, tell your doctor right away if you have
recommended for those meeting all the criteria for high any of these worrisome symptoms, because you may need
risk including: testing to confirm or rule out the presence of lung cancer:
○ Smoking the equivalent of 20 or more pack-years • A new, persistent cough or coughing up blood
(e.g., one pack a day for 20 years; two packs a day for 10 • Unexplained shortness of breath or chest pain
years) • Unintentional weight loss
○ Being 50 to 80 years old Be proactive – call (844) 811-LUNG (5864) to find out
○ Smoking for any portion of the past 15 years if a low-dose CT lung cancer screening is right for you.

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