Furry friends don’t need festive food

Only a few more sleeps to go and the red and white man will be coming down the chimney. The smell of pine trees evokes great childhood memories and it’s a time to put a smile on people’s faces.

We all know it can be a stressful time as well and that’s true too for our furry friends.

This week I want to help you make Christmas a great time for them by explaining some of the things they may be going through and things that need to be avoided.

Fester is a good example of what we see a lot of at this time of year. Fester is a slightly rounded male dachshund, with a nose for mischief. He came in to see us on Boxing Day last year with a sore abdomen. He had been vomiting all morning and had a high temperature.

Rachel and Paul explained he had been fine the day before and had a great day.

As a treat for Christmas, he enjoyed a large helping of pork crackling, ham and various other snacks.

We quickly set Fester up on an intravenous drip while we tested the blood samples we collected.

Sure enough, the results confirmed what we suspected, which is a sudden case of pancreatitis.

This is a poorly understood disease that has similar signs to appendicitis in people – we can get pancreatitis as well. It is often brought on by a fatty meal, which in Fester’s case was more like a fatty feast, and causes severe abdominal pain, fever and vomiting, and can in some cases be fatal.

The treatment involves removing the patient from all stimulation by food, which slows the digestive tract and allows the pancreas to heal. Poor old Fester spent the next four days with us wandering about with his IV line and wondering how all the holiday celebrations were going at home.

We also gave him antibiotics and various other medications to help him recover and on New Year’s Eve he trotted out happily with those little legs of his to a happy Rachel and Paul.

Colitis or inflammatory bowel disease is another common intestinal problem we see soon after Christmas, brought on by sudden changes in diet.

I know everyone wants to spoil their friends, but it is a good idea to spoil them with a walk, a new toy or a new collar rather than a helping of food from our menu.

Cats and dogs may have a different view than us of Christmas.

The visitors

Some dogs and cats revel in the attention, but others are shy or nervous, so it is a good idea to provide them with a designated room they can use as a safe haven.

Food

Party food is a problem for pets as well as children, so try to keep to their usual routine and food if you want to avoid a trip to the doctor or us here at the hospital for upset tummies.

Foreign objects

No, not the outlaws – small toys, balls, string and other smaller objects are fascinating and quickly consumed by a curious four-legged hoover.

Small rubber balls are a classic cause of bowel obstructions, as is that elasticised wrapping around roasts. Please, please make sure the rubbish bin lid is secure over this period. Check it today.

The Christmas tree

Yep. That nice tree is a great scratching post, climbing game or somewhere to lift one’s leg.

Things to check: Secure it so that it won’t fall over; and don’t put parcels containing food, especially chocolate, under it if you have a dog – or small children.

Toys

Toys and bones can be possessively guarded by some dogs, so check what is going on when visitors are around who may want to play with your dog. Likewise, if other dogs are visiting, supervise them together in case arguments arise.

Boarding Kennels

Check your cat or dog’s vaccinations are up to date, including kennel cough for dogs, because it can upset the start to the holiday if you are turned away by the kennels. And leave a contact number should they or the hospital need to contact you.

Chocolate

Chocolate can be toxic for our furry friends. If they do eat the chocolates, give the hospital a call straight away.

So, there are some tips and ideas. Remember the hospital is open over the whole holiday period – pets don’t have calendars – and we are only a phone call away on 357 9993 (Pitama) or 356 9993 (Hokowhitu) any day of the week, and till 7pm weeknights.

Have an awesome Christmas and New Year, from all the crazy Anderson’s crew.