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TOXICITY OF MACADAMIA NUTS FAQ Michael Murphy DVM, ABVT Toxicology QUESTION What is the toxic principal in macadamia nuts? What are the signs and appropriate treatments? ANSWER This was a new one for me. The toxic agent and mechanism are not reported. Two recent reports indicate that dogs ingesting 0.7 to 11.7 g macadamia kernels/kg BW develop posterior paresis/paralysis, recumbency, apparent joint stiffness, inability to rise, and vomiting 6 to 18 hours after ingestion.

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Traveling with Pets
Holiday time is a great time to spend with the family, all members. Traveling with the four legged family members can pose so difficulties if proper preparation is not handled in a timely manner. The following information has been collected and combined by our very own Dr. Jen in an attempt to make your holiday travels safe and enjoyable.

Airline Travel

For pets traveling by air, it will be necessary to contact the airline well in advance in order to obtain specific regulations. Federal guidelines require pets to be at least 8 weeks old and weaned at least 5 days before they can fly.
    Generally, a health certificate no more than 10 days old will be necessary in addition to a valid rabies vaccination certificate. A health certificate is obtainable through your veterinarian and requires an examination to be preformed on the same day that the health certificate is issued.
    Consideration should be given to the weather as well. If it is hot, flying in the evening or early morning will be best. During cold weather, flights during the day are preferred.
    If possible arrange for a nonstop flight and avoid plane changes. Time should be allotted for exercising the pet prior to being placed in a crate for flight. Several major airports have designated areas for walking pets.
    Contact your inbound and outbound airports for more information.

Car Travel

    Car travel will require even more preparation. If owners are traveling across state lines, they will want to check out the U.S. State and Territory Animal Import regulations Web site (see attached) for the latest relevant requirements.
    Cats are best confined to a cage or crate; dogs may be crated or fastened securely with seat belt attachments. This serves the dual purpose of keeping the driver safe (preventing pets from getting underfoot or causing distractions) as well as the pet (preventing jumping out of the car or being flung around if the car swerves or stops suddenly).
    If the pet has never traveled by car, you may want to prepare the pet by taking it along on short trips to acclimate and see how it will respond to car travel.

Special Considerations
    Anxious pet travelers will need special consideration. For pets traveling by car, very gradual acclimation (start by sitting in a parted car; then drive around the block, etc.) will sometimes help. For those it does not help, medications may be considered. It is not recommended to sedate animals that will be traveling in the cargo compartment of the airplane for safety reasons.
    Another potential problem for traveling pets is motion sickness; medications for these pets may be considered. Ask your veterinarian about your options.

Pets with Chronic Illness
    In pets with chronic or ongoing illness, special considerations may need to be made. For instance, diabetic animals will need insulin, syringes and a sugar source in case of a diabetic crisis. You may need to travel with a cooler or ice pack to keep the insulin cool in transit.
    Animals on chronic medications should have a sufficient supply and even a prescription to carry in the event medications are lost. A health history is particularly important for these pets, including: details of the pet’s illness, a list of medications (including dose and frequency), and contact information for your regular veterinarian. This will make caring for your pet simpler in case of an emergency.

On the Way
    During travel, pets should be kept secure. Dogs should NOT ride loose in the beds of pickup trucks, not should they be allowed to ride with their heads out of windows. A small pebble that hits the eye at interstate speed can do serious damage, and some dogs will try to jump out of a moving vehicle.
    Take care when opening doors to prevent the animal from running out. During rest breaks, keep your dog on a leash and make sure that it has identification on its collar.
    Most importantly, pets should NEVER be left in a warm car, whether or not the windows are left open. To avoid this, use drive-through windows or picnic at rest stops rather than stopping at roadside restaurants and leaving the pet in the car.

Additional Resources

- American Veterinary Medical Association-info on traveling with pets: www.avma.org

- Aviation Consumer Protection Division-info on air transportation of live animals: http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/animals.htm

- International Air Transport Association-info about air transportation of live animals plus other relevant links, including a Traveler’s Pet Corner with detailed recommendations for pet air travel: http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/live_animals/index.html

- Pets on the Go-resource with listings of pet-friendly accommodations, pet travel information, and other news: www.petsonthego.com

- Puppy Travel-pet travel agent offering various pet travel services: www.puppytravel.com

- U.S. State and Territory Animal Import Regulations-government web site with links for the latest regulations on interstate movement of animals: http://www.aphis.usda.gov:80/vs/sregs/

updated 12/19/11

About Us

     Estero Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinary medical facility, located in Estero , FL. The professional and courteous staff at Estero Animal Hospital seeks to provide the best possible medical care, surgical care and dental care for their highly-valued patients.
    Our progressive facility has allowed us to expand our services and bring in new technology. We now have state-of-the-art digital x-ray and ultrasound equipment that makes image details super clear. Our fiber optic dental equipment allows advanced procedures to be preformed in density cases, as well as the best dental cleaning equipment available. Each dental cleaning at Estero Animal Hospital is taken very seriously.
     We are also excited to now be providing pet boarding in our pet resort area. We have a clean, comfortable, and spacious lodging facility. Dogs and cats have separate wings of the building so as not to disturb each other. There is a state-of-the-art air conditioning system to help avoid air borne diseases. All rooms have access to natural ambient light. We also have a secure outdoor exercise area. Feel free to ask any of our team members for a tour when visiting our facility.
     Thank you for taking the time to read this. We hope we can provide you with the best service for all your pet’s needs. Please take a moment to contact us today, to learn more about our veterinary practice and to find out more information about how Estero Animal Hospital can serve the needs of you and your cherished pet.