Ways to Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday

December 18, 2019November 17, 2022
by ruthmacpete

Singing Christmas carols, lighting the Menorah, visiting Grandma…going to the vet? Probably not your idea of a holiday event, but unfortunately many families find themselves visiting their veterinary clinics during the holiday season for unfortunate and preventable emergencies. While the holidays are festive times, they can also be very dangerous times for our pets. Each year thousands of pets are seriously injured during the holidays; intestinal obstructions, chocolate toxicity, burns, and pancreatitis are a few of the most common reasons pets need medical attention during the month of December. In order to ensure that your nights are filled with visions of sugarplums, rather than long waits in a veterinary emergency room, keep these things in mind:

Holiday Decorations
Pets are inquisitive by nature and their curiosity can get them in trouble. While a Christmas tree adorned with glistening ornaments and lights may be a feast for our eyes, we would never think of putting one of those shining ornaments in our mouths. However, our pets see these twinkling objects as new toys beckoning to be examined, played with, and even eaten. Shattered glass ornaments are razor sharp and can injure pets and their people. We know ornaments can choke animals but unfortunately many of us don’t realize that linear objects, like tinsel, string, yarn, and ribbons, are also quite dangerous. Not only can pets become entangled but, if ingested, linear objects can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages unless they are promptly removed surgically. This is especially common with kittens and puppies.

Candles
Little paws can do more than break fragile glass ornaments; they can also knock over candles. Tipped candles can burn your pet or even worse lead to household fires.

Plants
If you have pets, avoid lilies, ivy, holly, mistletoe, Christmas greens, and poinsettias. These traditional holiday plants, if eaten, can cause symptoms as mild as vomiting and diarrhea or as serious as kidney failure leading to death. Lilies in particular are highly toxic to cats and chewing on leaves, flowers or any part of these plants can be deadly so I recommend keeping all lilies out of the house if you have cats!

Food
Holiday food can have serious consequences for pets. Animals should never have access to chocolate or alcohol. Bones, except for those specially treated and intended for canine consumption, should also be avoided. Poultry bones can splinter and get lodged in the gastrointestinal tract. Ham and beef bones can break teeth or cause intestinal obstructions. Though tempting, and always appealing to dogs, you should avoid giving your pet leftovers or tastes of your own food, especially during the holidays. Not only can this lead to obesity and encourage annoying begging, it can cause a pancreatitis attack. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas usually caused by fatty foods like turkey, ham, gravy, and chicken skins. It is a serious condition that can be fatal if left untreated.

Remember these important tips during the holidays. Watch out for choking and obstruction hazards. Avoid pet-toxic plants or, at least, be sure to keep them out of reach of your pets. Don’t give animals chocolate, alcohol, or bones to your pets. Instead of giving your pet scraps from your holiday meal, buy your pet a pet-safe treat, a new toy, or a new outfit. And of course make sure all pets have microchips and collars with ID tags, because sadly every year many pets are lost during the holidays. Paying careful attention to these warnings will help keep the holidays happy for you and your pet and should prevent unscheduled visits to the vet.

Have a safe and Happy Holidays Everyone!

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Bloat-What dog owners need to know

August 29, 2019
by ruthmacpete

What is Bloat?
Gastric Dilatation –Volvulus, more commonly referred to as bloat, occurs when a dog’s stomach becomes distended with food, liquid or gas. Once distended the stomach can rotate or twist causing a life threatening condition where blood flow is decreased to the stomach and an animal quickly goes into shock.

Does it occur only in large breeds?
Certain breeds, like large or giant breeds, are more likely to develop bloat due to their body confirmation, specifically their deep chests. The breeds most commonly affected include: Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, German Shepherds, and Standard Poodles. However, any breed can develop bloat.

What are the common signs of bloat?
Animals suffering from bloat may initially have trouble swallowing, drool excessively, try to vomit (though typically nothing comes out), pant, pace and act uncomfortable. As the condition progresses and the stomach rotates and compromises blood flow the animal may go into shock and then will exhibit signs common to shock which may include: pale mucus membranes, tachycardia, collapse, etc.

What to do I do if I suspect my dog might have bloat?
If you think your dog may be suffering from bloat it is imperative that they receive treatment immediately. Call your veterinarian or go to the nearest emergency clinic for treatment. Left untreated bloat can be fatal within a few hours. If you see any of the above signs or are concerned that your pet may be developing bloat don’t wait, call your veterinarian immediately for assistance

Is Bloat or GDV preventable?
The best way to prevent gastric dilatation-volvulus in at risk breeds is to have your veterinarian preform gastropexy surgery. This is often done when your dog is young and is spayed or neutered. This procedure attaches the stomach to the body wall so that it is unable to twist if dilated. While it does not prevent gas dilation of the stomach it does prevent the stomach from rotating which is the reason GDV is life threatening.

How do you treat GDV?
Again its important people realize that bloat is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. The first thing your veterinarian will do is stabilize your dog, as most will be in shock. This will likely involve giving intravenous fluids, pain medication (bloat is very painful), antinausea medication and more. Then your veterinarian will remove the air, fluid or food from the stomach. Once stable immediate surgery is needed to reposition the twisted stomach.

Can dogs get bloat twice?
Yes unless a gastropexy is performed a dog can develop bloat again. Even with a gastopexy an animal can develop gastric dilation but should not have twisting or rotation of their stomach, which is what causes an animal to go into shock and is ultimately fatal if untreated.

Common myths about Bloat or GDV:
There are a lot of myths out there about bloat. One of them is that giving your dog simethicone (gas X) will prevent bloat. Unfortunately this is has not been proven to be effective for treating bloat. Another common myth is that drinking ice water can cause a dog to bloat. Again there is no scientific evidence to support this theory.

For more information about bloat or if you have any questions about bloat prevention it is always best to speak with your veterinarian.

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Holiday Pet Hazards

December 13, 2018October 21, 2020
by ruthmacpete

Candles
Little paws can do more than break fragile glass ornaments; they can also knock over candles. Tipped candles can burn your pet or even worse lead to household fires.

Remember these important tips during the holidays. Watch out for choking and obstruction hazards. Avoid pet-toxic plants or, at least, be sure to keep them out of reach of your pets. Don’t give animals chocolate, alcohol, or bones to your pets. And instead of giving your pet scraps from your holiday meal, buy your pet a pet-safe treat, a new toy, or a new outfit. Paying careful attention to these warnings will help keep the holidays happy for you and your pet and should prevent unscheduled visits to the vet.

Tag: pet emergency