Paw Prints
It's time for tasty turkey again. How we love to celebrate with food, family and our furry four-legged friends. A reader e-mailed that his dog loves Thanksgiving dinner and pumpkin pie. Is it OK to share? Thanks for the question, Brian.
The typical Thanksgiving dinner is not poisonous, per se, for dogs and cats. Nevertheless, feeding this meal to your pet is risky. A variety of digestive problems may result, including upset stomach, intestinal perforation and pancreatitis.
Simply eating food to which they are unaccustomed may cause dogs and cats to have an upset stomach. Many pets have sensitive digestive systems, so any sudden change in their diets may lead to vomiting and diarrhea. This is generally known as dietary indiscretion. These pets usually start with a tummy ache. They may be a bit lethargic, vomit and have decreased interest in food. Within a day or two, this often progresses to diarrhea. Pets suffering from dietary indiscretion usually respond well to bland diets and medicine to control the nausea and diarrhea. In some cases, fluid therapy is helpful.
Turkey bones are another health risk for pets because poultry bones tend to splinter when chewed. These splinters may injure the mouth or esophagus. They may irritate the bowels and cause colitis. Most importantly, bone splinters can perforate the intestines and lead to a life-threatening medical condition called peritonitis.
If the pet does not chew the bones well but instead swallows larger pieces, these bone fragments may get lodged in the throat, stomach or intestines. Obstructions of the gastrointestinal tract are serious. Cats and dogs usually become profoundly ill over several days. They are lethargic, not eating, retching or vomiting, and their abdomens are painful. Sometimes, the veterinarian is able to feel the location of the obstruction in the abdomen. Radiographs (X-rays) usually diagnose the problem. These pets typically require major surgery.
Pets may also develop pancreatitis after eating Thanksgiving dinner. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. This organ has several functions, including production of enzymes that aid in digestion of fat. Symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs include vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, fever and "stretching" to avoid pressure on the abdomen. Symptoms in cats are similar but may be more subtle. These cats may also have a lowered body temperature and tend not to exhibit the "stretching" behavior often seen in dogs with pancreatitis. Affected cats are more likely to become chronically ill, with symptoms that wax and wane over a long period of time.
The parts of the holiday dinner most likely to put a pet at risk for pancreatitis include turkey skin, gravy, high-fat sides (such as vegetables with butter or sauces) and pie. A single high-fat meal can overstimulate the pancreas and cause pancreatitis in pets. If your pet is sick after eating Thanksgiving dinner, he should be seen by your veterinarian. Physical exam findings can be supported by laboratory tests. There is a new 10-minute in-clinic blood test available to detect canine pancreatitis. Sometimes, however, an ultrasound is necessary to aid diagnosis. Treatment usually involves hospitalization and intravenous fluids to allow the pancreas to rest, and medicines to control vomiting and abdominal pain.
So how do you celebrate Thanksgiving with a beloved pet? My suggestion is to share your time with him. Your dog would probably rather go for an extra walk or play ball with you than have a greasy meal. And your cat would probably rather have you interact with him with a toy or have extra cuddle time.
If you can't resist the temptation to feed your dog or cat something different on Thanksgiving, here are some suggestions.
First, don't skip your pet's meal. Instead, make sure he is fed his regular food on schedule.
Second, aim for healthy, low-fat food. Have chopped apple, raw broccoli and baby carrots prepared in the fridge so that when Fido comes begging, you have a healthy alternative. Don't offer grapes, raisins and nuts because they may be poisonous to pets. At dinner time, try a small plate with squash or other steamed vegetables; make sure they are not laden with butter or sauce. Cats often like squash, too, and a spoonful of plain cooked squash (or plain canned pumpkin) may be a nice treat for Whiskers.
Third, if you must include turkey carvings, a bite or two of lean turkey breast is your best bet. Remember, though, that many pets have such sensitive stomachs that even this moderate approach to Thanksgiving dinner with your furry friend may have unpleasant consequences.
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Dr. Heidi Bassler is medical director of the Veterinary Center of Greater Newburyport. Do you have questions for Dr. Bassler? Send them to ndn@newburyportnews.com.
