CLINIC NEWS

December Newsletter 2015

The holiday season is well on its way, and with it comes plenty of things to be aware of when it comes to the safety of your pets! Unfortunately at this time of year, we see an increase of toxicities, foreign body blockages, and pancreatitis in pets due to well-intended festive treats and an abundance of holiday decorations to get into.  

Here are a few things to keep in mind so that both you and your pet get to enjoy the holiday season together:

• Bones: Although it may be tempting to give your dog the remains of a roast dinner, bones can be extremely dangerous to your pet.  Cooked bones can easily splinter as your dog chews through them and can get stuck in their stomachor intestines and can cause a perforation that can be life threatening. Raw bones are safer, yet come with their own hazards as there is still a chance they can get stuck in your dog’s intestinal tract as well as there may be bacteria in the raw meat that can make your dog unwell. It is safest to stick to chewable treats sold at vet clinics and pet stores as these are specially created to be consumed by pets. You can also substitute bones with raw carrots or apples which are a safe alternative to give them something to chew on.

• Chocolate can be extremely toxic in high doses and can cause vomiting and diarrhoea as well as heart and respiratory problems. Dark chocolate is especially toxic due to the high theobromine content which is considerably harmful to pets. Try to prevent having chocolate treats kept out where curious pets will be able to access them and especially be aware of having chocolates hanging from Christmas trees as your pet may be tempted to go after them.

• Garlic and onions are a common cooking ingredient harmful to pets. Ingesting large amounts of onions and garlic can cause gastrointestinal problems as well as damaging red blood cells.

• Cakes and sweets can often contain products such as Xylitol which is a sugar substitute. When ingested by pets, it can cause a range of issues such as loss of coordination, lethargy, seizures, and liver failure.

• Grapes and raisins contain a toxin that can cause a sudden development of kidney failure within 48 hours of being ingested. The toxin is yet to be identified however it can cause other symptoms in pets such as vomiting and lethargy.

• Pancreatitis: Leftovers can be filled with rich foods that can cause pancreatitis which is the inflammation of the pancreas. It can be extremely painful and requires intensive care to treat. The most common signs of pancreatitis being vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and abdominal pain. If you notice any of these occurring in your pet, it is important to contact a vet as soon as possible.

• Festive decorations: It’s always surprising what pets will get into and what they’ll eat when given the chance and festive decorations are no exception! Cats especially love playing with tinsel, which can become a huge problem if ingested as they can cause blockages and are very hard to detect through x-rays. Plastic decorations are also common to be eaten and cause issues, so it pays to keep decorations out of reach, even going as far as to not decorate the bottom branches of a Christmas tree.

If you’re wanting something special to spoil your pets with over the holidays, treat them to toys and treats from a pet store rather than offering them tidbits from your plate as well as keeping other hazards well out of reach to ensure you both enjoy the holiday season.

Whangaparaoa Vet Centre will be closed over the 25^th and 26^th of December, as well as the 1^st and 2^nd of January, so if you are in need of veterinary assistance during those times, please contact the North Shore After Hours located in Glenfield, on (09) 4435640.

It has been a wonderful year and we’re looking forward to an exciting 2016. From all of the team here at Whangaparaoa Vet Centre, we want to wish you and your pets a very happy and safe holiday season!