Pets & Vets – Warnings from Alder Vets

Al-der Best Wishes for Christmas Time! Wise Words By Deirdre Wilson

Although this has been a Make sure any electrical wires are well hidden and very tough year for us baubles are higher than your dog can reach in all, Christmas is definitely case they steal and swallow them. Tinsel is pretty, coming, with all its festivities. but terrible if eaten, as it causes blockages within They will probably be the gut, so decorate the tree with safer ornaments distinctly muted this instead. Holly, mistletoe and some flowers are year with potential and toxic – lilies especially so. It is best to check and actual lockdowns and avoid having any toxic ones in the house at all. travel restrictions. However, I suspect many of us will still be putting up the decorations and enjoying a Christmas celebration, even if we are going nowhere. Don’t leave out bowls of chocolates, sweets, or cakes. Even the best trained dogs are given to temptation (humans are just as bad, aren’t we?) and we know that chocolate is particularly harmful During the first lockdown, many people bought a to dogs. If you buy presents for your pets, make new puppy or kitten to share their home, and the sure they are safe and indestructible. Swallowing changes that happen during the holiday season small balls or feathers often ends up with your pet in can disrupt routines and be harmful to your new pet, surgery. If you want to give treats, why not give their so here are a few holiday tips to keep them safe. regular one, just wrapped up, and that way you If you put up a Christmas tree, make sure it is avoid any digestive upsets but let them join the fun. secure and cannot fall over. Many a time has Talking of digestive upsets – fatty, spicy leftovers are an owner come down to find not the star at definitely ‘no-nos’ as far as pets are concerned. the top of the tree, but their new little kitten Over-rich food tends to lead to gastroenteritis with swinging from the topmost branch. Larger cats its vomiting and diarrhoea. Worse still, it can lead to tend to topple the whole thing over instead – pancreatitis, a very painful inflammatory condition just what you need on Christmas morning! that may lead to hospitalisation of your pet. Bones Young dogs and cats love to investigate with their are also bad news and should never be fed to a mouths and chew things they really shouldn’t pet, especially cooked bones. They shard as they break up and can do as much damage as glass. Finally, if we do get to have visitors this year, remember your pet may not be so keen with the excitement as we are. Ensure they have a safe room or human-free zone to escape to and have their food and litter tray in a private place.

So … Ho, Ho, Ho, and have a Merry Little (Safe) Christmas Cheer!

BOURNE

SPALDING t. 01778 422863 e. info@alder-vets.co.uk 15 Exeter Street, Bourne PE10 9NW

t: 01775 766646 e: info@alder-vets.co.uk 58 Bourne Rd, Spalding PE11 1JW