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If you witnessed or strongly suspect your pet ingested a large amount of ham, this is considered an \u201cORANGE\u201d \u2013 or urgent case \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage system. We recommend calling ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 for help determining if your pet consumed a toxic amount and for guidance on what to do next. If veterinary care is advised, call your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital ahead of your arrival. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The holiday season is upon us, and many of us are gearing up for festive family gatherings! Amid all the hustle and bustle, it\u2019s easy to overlook how the holidays can provide more opportunities for pets to eat things they shouldn\u2019t. One of the most irresistible indulgences? The holiday ham!<\/p>\n While it might be hard to resist your dog\u2019s pleading puppy eyes, <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> crucial for pet parents to keep pets on their regular diet. Read on to learn why sharing that savory slice of ham with your dog <\/span>isn\u2019t<\/span> the best idea<\/span>!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The first concern with your pet eating ham is that it is high in fat compared to many other meats and standard dog foods. The <\/span>high level<\/span> of fat can result in pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, which can lead to:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Signs of pancreatitis can occur anywhere from hours to days after eating <\/span>high<\/span>-fat food.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ham is not only high in fat, but also notoriously contains high levels of salt.<\/span> This very salty treat can lead your pet to experience:<\/span><\/p>\n If your pet eats a large quantity of ham, it may also cause:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Signs of salt toxicity often appear within hours of your pet consuming salty food, as their body works to process the salt absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and into the bloodstream.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If your pet has eaten a small amount of ham (a couple of bites), it is fine to monitor for signs of pancreatitis or salt toxicity carefully over the next few hours to days. If signs do develop, visit your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital right away.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If your pet has eaten a large amount of ham, they should be seen at your local animal emergency hospital right away to try to mitigate the symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n Treatment for <\/span>eating a large amount of ham will vary, depending on how long ago your pet consumed the ham and how much they ate. <\/span><\/span>Here are the most common treatment options:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While it might seem harmless to sneak a bit of ham into your pet\u2019s bowl, the safest choice is to stick to their regular diet and avoid giving them any<\/span> additional<\/span> food or treats. <\/span>To <\/span>prevent<\/span> mishaps, keep holiday foods, including ham, out of your pet\u2019s reac<\/span>h, and <\/span>never leave the<\/span>se foods<\/span> unattended in areas where your pet can access them. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> also <\/span>a good idea<\/span> to keep your pets out of the kitchen and dining areas during meals. <\/span>Let\u2019s<\/span> keep the season merry and bright by keeping the holiday ham off Fido\u2019s menu<\/span>!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If your pet needs veterinary <\/span>care<\/span> this holiday season, our Oakdale Urgent Care is open 2 PM\u201310 PM, seven days a week, and our Oakdale and St. Paul ERs are open 24\/7, every day. Remember to always call ahead!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n More Reading:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n1. Pancreatitis<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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2. Sodium Poisoning<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nWhat to Do<\/span> if Your Pet Eats Ham<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Treatment<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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