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Keep pets safe, allergy sufferers comfortable
By Washington Post
Published October 6, 2007
Keep those trick-or-treat candies away from the family pets. A chemical compound in chocolate called theobromine, a stimulant similar to caffeine, can have very serious effects on animals because they metabolize it very slowly. Pets may develop vomiting, diarrhea or hyperactivity and, later, hyperthermia, muscle tremors, seizures and coma, and they could even die. If your dog or cat does scarf up chocolate treats, call your vet right away. The doctor will want to know how much your pet weighs, and how much chocolate you think it ate to see if you should rush it in for emergency treatment. Lots of people who are allergic to dogs and cats find ways to live with beloved animals anyway. One smart approach is to create a pet-free zone in the house, where the door is kept closed and the pet is kept out. The bedroom where the allergy sufferer sleeps is a prime candidate to declare off-limits. A HEPA air purifier in this room will help, as will a vacuum with a HEPA filter to pull allergens out of carpets, upholstery and the air. Washing bed coverings and mattress pads frequently will help, too. If your cat or dog has been luxuriating on your bed for years, however, don't expect instant results. Allergens can remain in furniture and upholstery for up to four to six weeks even after the pet has started napping elsewhere.
[Last modified October 5, 2007, 11:08:09]
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