Every culture has its vices, and booze is among the most common of legal and widely accepted vices in the western world.
As a veterinarian, I have learned that unfortunately some people are incapable of embarrassment–that or severely unaware when they should be. While in the exam room, I have had a pet owner whip out her boob from the v-neck of her shirt and ask me what kind of insect bite I thought she had. I have had couples make out in front of me (I get this one a lot). I get tons of questions about why animals like watching their human parents have sex–why they think I would know an official medical answer remains unclear to me, as I am a veterinarian and not a sex behavioral therapist, for humans or pets. But the most common question I get from those that feel comfortable asking away,
“Doc, it’s alright if I give Bruno a few beers with me, right?”
Funny fact: While I am strongly recommending you not let your pet drink booze of any variety, oddly enough, guess what the treatment is for antifreeze poisoning: ethanol. What common convenient bottle is kept in most vets’ offices for this emergency? Everclear. And seriously, it’s not for sampling.
So let’s talk about booze and your pets. Nowadays more than ever, pet owners are sharing their food, homes, and beds with their pets. I can see the logic that a pet owner would perhaps take in offering to share their adult beverage with their pet (okay truthfully, I’m a vet, I don’t see it, but I suppose my veterinary inclinations are partly responsible for why I became a vet in the first place).
We all enjoy a cocktail from time to time, so why not let your pooch have a few laps, right? No. Dogs and cats often get more than drunk when they lap on your adult beverage–they may get a trip to the emergency vet hospital.
We all know that little bitty girls can’t hold their alcohol as well as big burly experienced drinkers. Well, your dog is (likely) smaller than a 90 lb human lightweight, and almost guaranteed to have a lower tolerance. Would you expect anything different?
Alcohol in pets–whether it is a beer that was accidentally left alone and your dog found it quite tasty, or if you poured it into his doggy dish, is significantly more toxic to pets than it is to humans.
He loves you; love him back!
Within 15 to 30 minutes of ingesting alcohol on your pet’s empty stomach, you may be able to appreciate signs of central nervous system depression–that is if you aren’t too boozed up yourself. These signs can include staggering, excitement, or decreased reflexes, along with behavioral changes–increased urination.
Once they break that seal you know they’re gonna be scratching at that door…
As problems increase, they are at risk for a slow respiratory rate, cardiac arrest, and death. Emergency treatment is CRUCIAL for your drunken and staggering 4-legged companion, and you may not even be capable of even driving him to the vet. Blood tests, IV fluids, and even ventilation may be needed. Somehow sharing that cocktail becomes a lot less fun for all involved.
Remember, prevention is easy; knowledge is power. If you suspect your pet has ingested any form of alcohol, ask a vet immediately. And DONATE if you appreciate my attempts to write informative while still engaging vet articles!
Dr. Laci
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Tags: Funny Posts, Informative Pet Posts
2 Comments
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