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The Daily Examiner, 18 December 2018, p.7:
We’d like to make sure
your pet stays happy and healthy this silly season. Here’s a list of potential
pet hazards to watch out for:
1. Christmas dinner and
leftovers are too rich for our pets and can cause nasty tummy upsets and even
pancreatitis. Stick to “pet approved” treats.
2. Macadamia nuts are
popular at Christmas and can be toxic for dogs, leading to muscle weakness,
vomiting and tremors.
3. Sultanas and raisins
can cause kidney failure in dogs.
4. Barbecue skewers can
be catastrophic for pets so take care to ensure your pet doesn’t accidentally
ingest a skewer (which falls on the ground for example) and never feed your pet
cooked bones - both can lead to the need for emergency intestinal surgery.
5. Chocolate – dogs
can’t metabolise the theobromine in chocolate, and ingestion can lead to an
increased heart rate, tremors, seizures and even death. The darker the
chocolate the more toxic and the size of the dog and amount ingested also plays
a part in the severity of the symptoms.
6. Decorations such as
tinsel and fairy lights are very attractive to pets but can lead to a gastric
obstruction if eaten.
7. Ribbons from presents
are super attractive to cats and if ingested can lead to a nasty gastric
obstruction requiring emergency surgery.
8. The Christmas tree
might be an attractive indoor “pee tree” but can also be a falling hazard.
9. Lots of guests can
cause your pet to become stressed and even lead to them trying to escape – make
sure they have a safe and quiet place to retreat to.
10. Christmas lilies can
cause kidney failure in cats. The stamen, leaves and stems are all potentially
toxic as is the water they are stored in, so it’s best not to have them in the
first place.
11. Snakes are out and
about and will be all summer so take care in long grass, around water or areas
where there are rodents (grain sheds and chook pens).
12. Heatstroke – never
leave your pet in the car during the warmer weather. Even on a mild day the
temperature inside a car can reach a dangerous level in minutes. Leaving a
window down will not help either, so don’t risk it! If you have any questions
about the health/safety of your pet, we are always here to put your mind at
ease.
CREDIT: Riverbank Animal
Hospital
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