By Dr. Don Palermo
Knight Ridder Newspapers
(KRT)
With Halloween upon us, let's discuss our pets and ways to keep them healthy and well.
Our furry felines are the topic of our first discussion. As much as I hate to admit it, there are still some people that dabble in the occult. The black cat is a symbol of Halloween and can be singled out for cruel mischief. Please keep your black cat indoors on the eve of Halloween and Halloween night, even it means boarding them at your local veterinarian.
Remember, also, that all cats are easily excitable and may become spooked by all the commotion. With all the children wandering the neighborhood dressed in costumes, cats may run into the street or get lost while trying to avoid the children. The ideal solution is to keep your feline friends inside to keep them safe.
Now let's discuss our other furry friends, dogs. Most dogs don't understand what all the fuss is about on Halloween night. The doorbell rings constantly and "scary" children in costumes show up at your door.
Even a normal, friendly dog can become confused and bewildered and bite a child that approaches your front porch for trick-or-treat. If your dog is easily stressed, confining him to a dimmed room in the back of the house may keep him far enough away from all the action.
Although there are a lot of cute "doggy" costumes, it's not a good idea to take your dog trick-or-treating with you. The increased traffic and carloads of kids make the streets unsafe for even leashed pets on Halloween.
We occasionally see a few dogs that get into the Halloween treat bag and, you guessed it, overdose on sugar. Initially, these dogs appear very hyper but with hyperglycemia (increased sugar) they will exhibit increased thirst, increased urination and depression. Call your veterinarian if your pet sneaks into the candy bowl because it may need immediate attention.
All in all, dress your child up as a lady bug or a cowboy, but keep your pets safe - confined to the house for the Halloween events. As my mother always said, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
© 2003, The Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.).
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
