ENCINO : Halloween a Spooky Holiday for Pets

Every year around Halloween, Dr. James Isaacs’ veterinary clinic turns into a kind of triage for pets that have been maimed or fallen sick.

Some animals are brought in with serious digestive problems from eating theobromine, an ingredient in chocolate candy that has a toxic effect on animals. Others become sick after eating plastic, aluminum foil or other kinds of candy wrappers or candle wax.

Halloween, the veterinarian said, is not a good holiday for pets.

“Keep your cat or your dog locked in the bedroom during Halloween,” advised Isaacs. “They need to miss it.”

In addition to the dangers of accidents, Isaacs warned, animals can also fall victim to sadistic pranks.

Last year Isaacs treated a black cat that had been doused with lighter fluid and severely burned. “Thirty percent of it’s fur and skin was burned,” he said. “The cat took a long time to recover. Its skin was peeling off when some neighbors found it hiding under some bushes and brought it in.”

Black cats are at particular peril during Halloween.

“Another black cat I treated had been tortured with firecrackers,” the veterinarian said.

“This year, we’re instructing pet stores and animal shelters not to sell or give away any black cats during Halloween season.”

Dogs are not immune from cruel tricks. Last year the veterinarian treated a collie that had been attacked by a group of kids.

“They tied string around it’s tail and tied cans to the string,” Isaacs said. “They left the string tied on, tightly knotted, for several days. It became infected and I had to amputate the tail.”

Leaving large amounts of candy unattended can pose a danger to pets. Isaacs displayed several kinds of Halloween treats that could be lethal, including a lollipop that lights up when pressed. Another lollipop spins around when a button is pushed.

“These kinds of things have batteries in them, light bulbs, even circuitry,” Isaacs said, holding up the Candypager, a purple and orange candy dispenser designed to look like a pager, complete with belt-clip. Other items potentially hazardous to pets’ health include fluorescent light sticks, which illuminate when broken in half.