Common July 4 Pet Anxiety Treatment Leads to
Accidental Overdose
MINNEAPOLIS, July 2, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Many people use calming chews to relieve their
pet's anxiety, especially during the July
4 holiday. Not only can the sound of fireworks scare your
pet, but a change in routine or sudden influx of visitors can cause
pets great distress. While these supplements can help calm your
pet, they can also be dangerous if taken in too great of a
quantity.
![It was anything but relaxing when Elton overdosed on calming chews and had to be rushed to the veterinary hospital for treatment. It was anything but relaxing when Elton overdosed on calming chews and had to be rushed to the veterinary hospital for treatment.](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2452210/Pet_Poison_Helpline.jpg)
"I had just moved to a new apartment, and I ran out to do some
grocery shopping," explained Jacque
Dickson, who lives with her dogs Elton and Chubbs in
Greensboro, North Carolina. "My
father had recently bought a bottle of calming chews for Chubbs,
who can be anxious. The bottle was in an unopened box, but the dogs
managed to get into it and consume the entire bottle of more than
160 chews. My first call was to the pet emergency room, and they
had me call Pet Poison Helpline before I even left the house." By
calling first, the toxicology experts at Pet Poison Helpline were
able to start developing a recommended treatment plan based on
Elton and Chubbs' individual situations that could be ready when
Dickson arrived at the clinic.
"After talking with the experts at Pet Poison Helpline, they
determined that Chubbs was not in danger because of his size,"
Dickson explained. "He's a fit cattle dog, but he's 65 pounds.
Because Elton is only 10 pounds, they recommended I take him into
the hospital for treatment and observation."
As soon as Dickson arrived at Carolina Veterinary Specialists in
Greensboro, the medical team was
ready to start treatment. The Pet Poison Helpline team had
determined that Elton had consumed a dangerous level of the
product, which contains tryptophan. The toxicologists were
concerned with Elton developing hypernatremia due to the number of
chews he ingested, potentially causing a fluid shift that results
in increased sodium concentrations. There was also a concern for
serotonin syndrome to develop, which causes numerous neurologic and
cardiovascular signs, due to the amount of L-tryptophan ingested.
With this in mind, the specialists at Pet Poison Helpline
recommended an antiemetic, electrolyte monitoring, intravenous
fluids and monitoring for serotonin syndrome, a condition that
happens when there is too much serotonin in the body.
"The dedicated team at Carolina Veterinary Specialists took
great care of Elton," said Dr. Renee
Schmid, a senior veterinary toxicologist and director of
Veterinary Medicine at Pet Poison Helpline. "He was closely
monitored overnight and went home the next day, where Ms. Dickson
could monitor both him and Chubbs for any additional symptoms or
changes in behavior."
Accidental medication poisoning is only one of the risks facing
pets during the July 4 holiday. An
even greater threat is pets being terrified by the loud fireworks
explosions or getting out of the house and into other dangers such
as being hit by a car. Pet Poison Helpline has partnered with AKC
Reunite, the nation's largest not for profit pet recovery service,
offering its 24/7 toxicology expertise as an optional, unlimited
benefit for its members to add to their pet's lifetime
protection.
"According to AKC Reunite, more pets go missing during the
July 4th weekend than any other time
of the year," said Dr. Schmid. "To help prevent problems with your
pet, AKC Reunite has six tips for protecting your pet this
Independence Day."
Tip 1: Establish a Place of Sanctuary
Make sure your
dog or cat always has access to a comfortable, quiet and safe place
to get away from the noise. Either a closet, under a piece of
furniture or in his crate.
Tip 2: Make Toys and Long-Lasting Treats
Available
Keep toys and long-lasting treats in your pet's
safe area to make the area more fun and to provide distractions
from loud noises and flashes.
Tip 3: Exercise Earlier in the Day is Key
Make time to
exercise your pet during daylight hours; then, keep them safely
indoors before the fireworks begin.
Tip 4: Turn Up the Music, but Not Too Loud
At dusk,
close your windows and curtains and turn on music or the television
to muffle the loud noises that accompany social gatherings and the
booming thunder from fireworks.
Tip 5: Watch Their Body Language:
Pets convey fear by
shivering, cowering, tucking their tail between the legs, and
averting their eyes. Looming over a fearful dog will only make it
more anxious; and unless a dog is likely to get hurt it is often
best to leave a fearful dog alone because its behavior when scared
is uncertain. Overall, you know your pet best, and recognizing the
cues they give you through their body language will help to
determine the best way to make them as comfortable as possible.
"Enjoy the July 4th
festivities with your family and friends, but don't forget about
your furry loved ones," Dr. Schmid said. "Taking a few precautions
can help protect your pet from a variety of dangers."
Pet Poison Helpline created Toxin Tails to educate the
veterinary community and pet lovers on the many types of poisoning
dangers facing pets, both in and out of the home. All the pets
highlighted in Toxin Tails have been successfully treated
for the poisoning and fully recovered.
About Pet Poison Helpline
Pet Poison
Helpline®, your trusted source for toxicology and pet
health advice in times of potential emergency, is available 24
hours, seven days a week for pet owners and veterinary
professionals who require assistance treating a potentially
poisoned pet. We are an independent, nationally recognized animal
poison control center triple licensed by the Boards of Veterinary
Medicine, Medicine and Pharmacy providing unmatched professional
leadership and expertise. Our veterinarians and board-certified
toxicologists provide treatment advice for poisoning cases of all
species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals
and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal
poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline's fee of $85 per incident includes follow-up consultations
for the duration of the case. Based in Minneapolis, Pet Poison Helpline is available
in North America by calling
800-213-6680. Additional information can be found online at
www.petpoisonhelpline.com.
Contact: Dr. Renee Schmid
Pet Poison Helpline®
(952) 806-3803
RSchmid@petpoisonhelpline.com
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SOURCE Pet Poison Helpline