Cornell University Veterinary Specialists wishes you and your family a happy and healthy Thanksgiving... and that goes for your pets as well! 

This holiday season, please be aware of food-related illnesses:

• Do not give in to begging pets: too many table scraps of fatty food can lead to pancreatitis. Symptoms can include vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness and shock- definitely not a fun way to spend Black Friday.

• The turkey carcass is a delicious treasure trove of foreign bodies. The bones can become lodged in the throat or airway, or become obstructed in the intestines. Do not give the dog a bone. Close up any garbage bags and move them away from your home's living area so the animals can't get into them.

• Your food is tasty and the smell will attract your pets to the table. Do not leave food unattended! Dogs and cats alike can easily get up on the table to steal food that is dangerous to them.

• Overeating is bad for you, and your pets as well. Do not overfeed dogs on Thanksgiving, as this can lead to bloat. Bloat occurs when the stomach fills with gas and twists back on itself. Bloat is a life-threatening condition.

• No desserts! If you own a dog, you should already know this: chocolate is toxic. Same goes for grapes, and therefore raisins. The various compounds in these foods can cause organ failure in dogs- different organs for each form of toxicity, but both should be avoided at all costs.

Following the guidelines above will keep your pets safe during the holidays. We love our clients and their pets, and we hope you don't have any incidents on Thanksgiving. But if you do, the CUVS Emergency Department will be open all day and night.