A Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving for You and Your Pet:

With the Thanksgiving holiday near, it is important to use caution so
that our pets may participate safely and not fall victim to over-
indulgence or come into contact with food that may prove hazardous to
their digestion.

While it is tempting to prepare a plate complete with turkey and the
trimmings for our pets, the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association
(NJVMA) cautions that fatty foods such as turkey skin can upset the
digestive system and potentially trigger pancreatitis. This
condition causes the pancreas to release digestive enzymes into the
body cavity, causing possibly life-threatening abdominal
inflammation. Your dog or cat may become listless, refuse to eat and
drink, vomit severely, and have a tense, painful abdomen. Less
dangerous, yet still uncomfortable, gastroenteritis may follow any
change in diet or overindulgence during the Thanksgiving feast.

With tasty morsels at every turn, even the most well-behaved pet may
be tempted to steal food from the kitchen counter or rummage through
the garbage can. To help prevent these situations, try to keep food
pushed toward the back of the counter and keep trash cans either
secured with a tightly fitting lid or under a kitchen cabinet or in a
closet.

Swallowing bones can cause problems ranging from intestinal blockage
to bellyache and constipation from slow moving bone chips. Should
you notice listlessness, severe vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal
distention, contact your family vet immediately.

For additional timely animal health tips, visit www.njvma.org.

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group - November 24, 2002