Tis The Season

Christmas is right around the corner. It is a season of joyful times and unfortunately for some families the time for Christmas pet emergencies.

Here is your guide to know what to look out for and enjoying the holiday season without ending up at the vet.

Common Christmas Emergencies

There are many reasons your pet might need to see a vet over the festive period. Some of the most common reasons are: Foreign bodies, Pancreatitis, Grape/sultana ingestion, Onion and Garlic ingestion, Macadamia toxicity, Ingestion of Lillies and of course Chocolate ingestion.

Foreign bodies

A foreign body is when something gets stuck in your pet’s gastro intestinal tract. The list is endless of what constitute as a potential foreign body from a bone getting stuck to Christmas baubles that looked a little too tasty. This can be quite painful to your pet and cause physical damage to them. Some symptoms to look out for include but are not limited to: vomiting, diarrhoea, retching/gagging, lethargy, decreased interest in food or water, and or painful stomach (may growl or whimper when touching abdomen). Whilst unwrapping gifts on Christmas Day it is ideal to put your pet in a seperate area, this may decrease the risk of your pet accidentally eating something it shouldn’t whilst the family is distracted with festivities.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis can occur if your pet ingests too much fat. This is super common at Christmas time, due to overfeeding of the Christmas ham. Different amounts can affect pets differently. Our advice is to avoid feeding them any Christmas ham, or left overs. There are many treats available that are better suited to your pet’s diet. So I remind you to stay strong and don’t feed them the Christmas ham. Some signs to look out for include: lack of interest in food, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and lethargy. Cats may also display signs of hypothermia as well.

Grape/sultana toxicity

Grape/ Sultana ingestion is one that oftentimes a lot of people are unaware of. Grapes and sultanas are toxic to your pet and if ingested can cause damage to your pets stomach and renal system. Some symptoms to look out for include: vomiting, diarrhoea, lack of interest in food, abdominal pain, excessive thirst, urinate too much or too little.

Onion and Garlic Toxicity

Onion and garlic ingestion can cause damage to the cell’s in your pet’s blood as well as damage to their liver. Some symptoms to look out for include: lethargy, lack of interest in food, pale or yellow gums.

Macadamia Toxicity

Macadamia’s are another common one that often people are unaware of it’s potentially dangerous affects. Macademia’s can cause issues to your pet’s stomach and joints, it can also affect them neurologically. Some symptoms to look out for include: lethargy, vomitting, hyperthermia (when your pet becomes too hot), painful joints (may present as uneven gait or limping), tremors and weakness.

Lilly Toxicity

Lillies are a great gift for other humans, but are unfortunately quite harmful to our pets. Lillies can cause damage to your pets stomach and renal system. Some symptoms to look out for include: lethargy, vomitting, lack of interest in food, excessive urinating, or lack of urintating.

Chocolate toxicity 

Although delicious to us Chocolate is toxic to our pets. Chocolate can affect your pets stomach, respiratory and neurological systems. Some symptoms to look out for include: vomitting, hyperthermia (when your pet becomes too hot), excessive energy, uneven gait or difficulty walking, breathing quickly, seizures. It can lead to cardiac failure in severe cases, so please watch where your pet is and make sure they are well away from the chocolate! Make sure everyone is washing their hands after chocolate.

Our advice is to stay vigilant! Anything this time of year could become a potential hazard. We hope you and your family stay safe and have a joyful time this holiday season.

If your pet needs Veterinary Care on Christmas Day or on any of the public holidays please contact Pet Emergency in Stafford on 3359 5333.

Newstead Vets 

‘for a healthier tomorrow’