Easter celebrations can bring hidden dangers for pets. Keep them safe with these precautions:
Chocolate & Candy – Chocolate, especially dark and baking chocolate, is toxic to pets. Xylitol, a sugar substitute in some candies and gum, is also highly dangerous. Keep all treats out of reach.
Easter Lilies & Other Plants – Lilies are extremely toxic to cats, even in small amounts. Other spring flowers, like daffodils and tulips, can also be harmful. Keep all plants out of reach and opt for pet-safe alternatives.
Plastic Easter Grass & Small Decorations – Cats and dogs may be tempted to chew on plastic Easter grass, ribbons, or small decorations, which can cause serious intestinal blockages. Use paper grass or fabric alternatives.
Egg Hunts & Leftovers – If hosting an Easter egg hunt, be sure all eggs (plastic or real) are accounted for. Forgotten eggs can spoil, and plastic eggs or their contents can be a choking hazard.
Table Scraps & Rich Foods – Fatty or rich foods, such as ham, can cause digestive upset or pancreatitis in pets. Stick to pet-safe treats and remind guests not to share their meals.
Guests & Open Doors – With visitors coming and going, make sure pets don’t slip out unnoticed. Consider providing a quiet, safe space away from the activity if your pet gets overwhelmed.
Choosing an Easter Bunny – Rabbits, chicks, and ducklings require special care and aren’t holiday novelties. If you’re considering a new pet, make sure it’s a well-planned, lifelong commitment.
Senior pets, just like their human counterparts, can experience both physical and cognitive decline as they age. A disorder similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans, Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) is a degenerative disease diagnosed in some dogs and cats. CDS causes a decline in brain function in aging pets, resulting in behavioral changes. This decline is not the result of normal aging – instead, pets with CDS have been shown to accumulate beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, which block normal communication between neurons (brain cells). This leads to various changes in behavior such as disorientation, changes in sleep patterns, memory loss, personality changes, and loss of housetraining. While there is no cure for CDS, early intervention can slow the progress of this disease and improve your pet’s quality of life throughout their senior years.
Tumors that occur inside the nose are uncommon canine tumors. These tumors in dogs are more frequently seen in older male and female dogs. Radiation therapy is the most common cancer treatment for nasal tumors.
Tumors that occur inside the nose are uncommon in cats. These tumors are more commonly seen in older males or females. Radiation therapy is the most common cancer treatment for nasal tumors.
Nasal tumors can metastasize (spread) to the nearby lymph nodes and the lungs. A thorough evaluation is necessary to include a physical examination, blood work, chest x-rays, a biopsy or aspiration of the tumor, lymph node assessment, abdominal ultrasound, and a CT scan.
Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a collective name for a group of malignant (cancerous) tumors which typically arise from tissue under the skin. Though these tumors can occur anywhere, they most frequently arise on the limbs or anywhere on the outside of the dog’s body. Types of STSs include fibrosarcomas, perivascular wall tumors (previously called hemangiopericytoma), and peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Affected dogs are typically 10 years of age or older.
Soft tissue sarcomas can metastasize (spread) to nearby lymph nodes and the lungs. A thorough evaluation is necessary and includes blood work, chest x-rays, a biopsy or an aspiration or the mass, lymph node assessment, abdominal ultrasound, and possible a CT scan.
