'Tis the Season - keeping your pets safe over Christmas

Article donated by Dr. Paula Short, Tasman Bay Vets, Mapua

With Christmas fast approaching here are a few timely tips on keeping your pets safe and healthy over the holiday season.

Chocolate

Many people are unaware that chocolate is poisonous to dogs due the ingredient theobromine which they cannot break down. Baking chocolate and dark chocolate are particularly dangerous as they can contain 7-10 times as much theobromine as milk chocolate. The clinical signs of chocolate toxicity include hyperexicitability, nervousness, vomiting, diarrhoea and death. If your pet eats some chocolate then ring your vet immediately, if you know how much they have eaten we can calculate the likelihood of toxicity and institute treatment if necessary.

Poinsetta

Poinsetta plants are not toxic to animals but chewing on their leaves can be irritating to the mouth and stomach of the dog or cat that eats it.

Tinsels and ribbons

Cats and kittens often see these as toys to be played with, chewed and sometimes eaten. Once in the gastrointestinal tract they can act as a "linear foreign body" causing the intestine to bunch up around them leading to a blockage. This requires surgery to fix.

Beware of overfeeding

Lots of pets get extra treats over Christmas but please bear in mind that sudden rich diet changes can upset their gastrointestinal tract causing vomiting and diarrhoea. Fatty foods should be avoided as they can cause pancreatitis, which can be life threatening.

Going fishing

Every summer we have the pleasure of extricating fish hooks from dog's stomachs, noses, ears, lips and tongues. Don't leave old bait on the end of hooks and make sure you stash your fishing line out of reach of your dog.

Take care over Christmas and New Year and remember we are there if you need us. The clinic will be closed on the statutory holidays but a vet will be on duty 24 hours right through Christmas and New Year.