New Year’s Drinking - Not a Pet Trick

BOULDER, Colorado, December 28, 2006 -- Each year veterinarians like Dr. Lee Woods treat dogs in their clinics with alcohol poisoning. The incidence of alcohol poisoning in dogs increases around the holidays and particularly near New Year’s Eve.

"We have treated extremely sick dogs whose owners brought them in after serving them alcohol at a party," said Woods, director of Broadway Animal Hospital in Boulder. "Alcohol can be extremely toxic to dogs and is not a funny pet trick when the owner has to rush their pet to the animal hospital," said Woods.

Symptoms of alcohol poisoning are similar to those in humans, including disorientation and vomiting. Alcohol consumption can also cause pet hypothermia and is even more dangerous during extreme weather conditions.

No amount of alcohol is safe for your pet. In large amounts, alcohol can cause animal seizures and even death. "Humans can sleep off the overindulgence of alcohol, but pets should be seen by a veterinarian immediately," Woods said.

For more pet health care tips, visit http://www.broadwayanimal.com. Broadway Animal Hospital is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association and is located at 1405 S. Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80305; phone 303-499-5505.