Vets Now issues advice on how to keep your pet safe this Christmas
Vet's Now is issuing advice to pet owners on how to ensure their beloved pets have a safe and happy Christmas this year.
With the countdown to Christmas on, everyone is busy planning their special Christmas celebrations with friends and family and in the build up to Christmas, with lots to do and not much time left to do it, it's easy to forget the potential hazards to pets which crop up at this time of year.
At Vets Now, Christmas is one if the busiest times of year with our emergency clinics treating a high number of emergencies which can be avoided by pet owners taking some simple precautions.
We all enjoy treats over Christmas and while it's tempting to invite your pet to share in treats and left-over tit bits, it's important to be mindful of the potentially fatal effects.
Chocolate appears in abundance at this time of year and is enjoyed equally by people and pets, especially dogs; however, chocolate contains contains caffeine and theobromine which are toxic to dogs. As little as 50g of milk chocolate could kill small dog.
Talking about the increase in chocolate poisoning cases which Vets Now sees over the Christmas period, Glen McIntosh, Senior Veterinary Surgeon at Vets Now in Colchester said; "We treat an unusually high number of cases of chocolate poisoning at this time of year which are caused by pet owners leaving their Christmas chocolates within their pets' reach. In most cases, owners are quick to recognise evidence that their pet has made off with some chocolate, and seek urgent treatment. The need for treatment depends on the amount and type of chocolate the animal has eaten and the animal's size, with dark chocolate being the most toxic and in relatively small quantities. Owners should contact their vet as a matter of urgency for all suspected cases of chocolate ingestion, and advice as to the necessity for treatment can often be provided over the telephone. Of course, if there is any doubt as to the amount of chocolate ingested, immediate treatment would be recommended. When presented with a chocolate poisoning case, we will induce vomiting to empty the dogs' stomach and normally, if the dog is brought to us quickly enough it will make a quick and full recovery. However, not all dogs are so lucky and if more than two hours has passed since the substance has been ingested, the symptoms can be more serious, sometimes resulting in fitting, heart problems, coma and even death."
"Another less well known toxicity effecting dogs that increases over the Christmas period is grape or raison toxicity. Some dogs can develop life threatening kidney failure from eating quite small amounts of grapes or raisons. Not all dogs will be affected, but we cannot predict this, so the current recommendation is that all dogs with suspected grape or raison ingestion be treated as potential toxicities. Symptoms of this toxicity may not develop until the damage has already started, so veterinary assistance should be sought early on if grape or raison ingestion is suspected in dogs. Prevention is obviously far better, so owners should avoid feeding their dogs fruit cake, mince pies or christmas pudding and, along with chocolate, keep these treats out of reach of their pets."
If you suspect that your pet might have pinched a chocolate treat, please look out for the following symptoms and seek urgent veterinary treatment if you suspect your dog has consumed chocolate:
- Excitement
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Muscle spasms
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive urination
We would also ask pet owners to be particularly mindful of the following this Christmas:
- Pet Toys and Presents
Avoid toys that consist of string or small objects which if ingested by pets, can require surgery. Also be aware of small toys inside crackers which can end up on the floor and be eaten.
- Scraps from the table
Do not feed your pet scraps from the table at Christmas time. Poultry skin, fat trimmings, rich gravies, and buttery sauces can cause severe vomiting, diarrhoea and inflammation of the pancreas, which can be life threatening.
- Ornamental plants
Festive plants can be toxic to animals if ingested so place all festive plants well out of reach. Poinsettia can cause drooling, oral pain, and vomiting and Mistletoe causes vomiting, laboured breathing, shock, and even death from cardiovascular collapse if ingested.
- Christmas decorations
Pets can find shiny, sparkly Christmas decorations irresistible but these can be particularly hazardous. Glass baubles can fall and shatter, causing horrible cuts to your pets' paws and although no tree is complete without fairy lights pets may be tempted to chew on the wire, putting them at risk of electrocution. Avoid tinsel and ribbons as if ingested, these will cause serious gastrointestinal problems.