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The A-Z List of Pet
Hazards
The holiday
season can bring us much celebration and joy, but it can also
be a time of increased danger for your pet. Whether it
be Christmas decorations, unfamiliar foods or small toys there
are many potential dangers. Here is our A-Z list of seasonal
hazards:
ALUMINIUM
FOIL
Aluminium foil or plastic wrap
that has been covering meat or other dishes can have a
delicious aroma and the temptation might just be too much for
your pet to resist. When ingested, aluminium foil
can cut a pet's intestines, causing internal bleeding, and in
some cases, even death.
ANTI-FREEZE
As we
mentioned in a previous newsletter, anti-freeze is often
lethal -- even in very small quantities. Because many dogs and
cats like its sweet taste, there are an large numbers of pet
fatalities each year from drinking anti-freeze. This is a
serious medical emergency which must be treated immediately by
a qualified vet. Pets often get sick , then appear to
recover after a short time. Don't be fooled, Call us
immediately.
BONES
Bones from turkey or
chicken, as well as steak, veal, pork, ribs, can be hazardous
to your pet. All bones can potentially lodge in the throat,
cause inflammation in the stomach and intestines, and may
splinter, causing perforation that can lead to peritonitis.
CANDLES
Curious noses often get too close prompting a
hasty retreat. Be careful with candles and pets as they
can easily be knocked down causing a
fire.
CHOCOLATE
Chocolate contains
theobromine which is toxic to dogs. An ounce or two of
chocolate can be lethal to a small dog (5 kg or less). Dark
and unsweetened baking chocolates are especially dangerous.
Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include: vomiting, diarrhea,
tremors, hyperactivity and seizures. DON'T offer chocolate as
a treat, and DO make sure it is stored safely out of reach.
ELECTROCUTION
Many curious
rabbits, cats and the occasional puppy find the electric cords
to be fascinating toys. Those sharp teeth can pierce into the
wires causing burns. However, it may cause more serious
conditions in the lungs (fluid accumulation) or abnormal
rhythms in the heart. Remove all tags from cords, try to
prevent dangling of cords and be sure that pets are well
supervised while the lights are on.
FOOD
It is best to stick with
your pet’s usual diet to prevent the upset that comes from
dietary change. A high fat intake may wreak havoc on the
pancreas causing inflammation (pancreatitis) which can cause
severe illness.
FOREIGN BODY
INGESTION
Watch
out for elastics and strings which bind meat, tinsel , stringy
toys, ribbons and decorations. These can cause "string gut"
with vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and lethargy.
Often, a part of the string will lodge in one spot. The rest
of the string moves through the intestines acting like a
saw which can cut through the wall. Keep all potentially
hazardous objects out of reach. If your pet should be one of
the lucky ones that "passes" the string - please remember that
pulling at the offending object as is moves out of your pet
can cause much damage. If the entire string is not passed seek
veterinary help. Unfortunately, not all pets are so lucky;
some will require surgical intervention to remove the foreign
body.
HYPOTHERMIA
Small and
short-haired dogs should wear sweaters when taken for walks
during cold winter weather. Any sign that a dog is very cold
-- such as shivering -- should signal the owner to bring the
dog indoors immediately.
PLASTIC WRAP
Plastic food
wrap can cause choking or intestinal obstruction.
POISONOUS PLANTS
Dogs (and
cats) can become extremely ill or even die from eating
poisonous plants. Mistletoe may tempt a festive kiss, but
eating this holiday greenery could cause a drop in blood
pressure, as well as vomiting and swollen throat and mouth
tissue. Other holiday foliage, including Holly and
Poinsettias, contain toxins that could lead to severe stomach
problems, as well as skin, mouth and eye irritation. Pine
needles from a real Christmas tree can get stuck in
throats.
RABBIT HUTCHES
When the
weather turns cold your rabbit may need some extra
protection. Make sure there is plenty of hay and
straw. You can cover the hutch opening with hessian or
similar material at night. But do remember to leave it
off during the warmer parts of the day to allow fresh air into
the hutch. Don't let rabbits walk on frozen ground or
eat frozen grass.
ROAD GRIT
Road Grit,
Salt and other Ice-melting chemicals placed on roads and
pavements can cause severe burning to your dog's footpads.
Whenever possible, avoid walking your dog through these
substances, and wash off his footpads when you return home.
STRINGS (see Foreign Body
Ingestion)
VISITOR
STRESS
Dogs can get
seriously stressed when there are a large number of people in
the house. Before celebrations begin make sure that your
pets have a safe, quiet area where they can rest. It is best
to keep your pet locked up safely in a bedroom where they can
escape from all the noise and festivities. If your pet enjoys
having company come over, just make sure they do not become
too overwhelmed. They need quiet time to rest and relax just
like you do. Pets that normally do not tolerate visitors may
snap and bite if over stressed. Be sure to tell visitors NOT
to feed your pets any food treats. It’s best to keep to
an animals normal diet.
WARM
ENGINES
Cats and wildlife
gravitate to warm engines during cold winters. Be sure to bang
your car’s bonnet to avoid injuring an animal sitting on your
engine or radiator.
ZOONOSIS
All pets carry worms
and need regular treatment. Worms can be passed to
people especially during times of family gatherings when food
is plentiful and pet handling is at its greatest. Children are
particularly likely to get worms by contact with
pets. We have very effective worming tablets that
cost only £1 to £6 per treatment depending on the size of your
pet. And, if needed, we will give the tablet to your pet
at no charge . There is no ‘consultation’ fee if we have
examined your pet within the past 12 months. So,
prevention is VERY CHEAP. Make sure your guests go
away with happy memories and nothing
else!
For many of the above, your pet should get
immediate medical attention. Please call us as soon as
you suspect there MAY be a problem. We can advise you
what to do, and if necessary we can see your pet right away -
day or night.
Call us at 01223
232111. If it's after hours, have a pen and
paper ready as we will give you the direct telephone number of
the vet on duty.
Remember, we are here
for you and your pet 24 hours -365 days a year.
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