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Holiday Hazards!

The team at Eastern Shore Veterinary Hospital would like to wish you and your family a great holiday season; we would also like to take a moment to inform you on how to keep your furry friends safe from some of the Holiday Hazards.  With all the hustle and bustle of family get-togethers, decorating, baking, right down to last minute shopping, pets’ safety can be overlooked. Here are a few tips to keep in mind for keeping your beloved pets safe.

Holiday Plants:

Holiday plants are a beautiful way to spruce up your holiday decorations, and for some, it’s a tradition to have them in your home. Did you know that some of your favourite holiday plants are in fact toxic to your pets? Poinsettias, Ivy, Holly and Mistletoe ARE ALL TOXIC!!!

Keep your holiday plants out of reach from your furry friends, inspect your plants daily for missing leaves or chew marks. If your pet has had a taste of one of these plants, call your veterinarian for advice.

One of the best ways to keep your pet safe from harmful holiday plants and still enjoy the beauty if they is getting artificial ones.

Decorations:

Holiday decorations are one of the greatest joys of the season! While you are enjoying the beautiful lights and the colourful decoration, keep in mind that your pets may be enjoying them in other ways.  Tinsel and ribbons can reek havoc and if your animal decides to ingest them, your pet could become very ill and could lead to major surgery. CATS LOVE TINSEL!! The Christmas tree itself can pose a hazard as some pets may try to play with the tree or even worse, climb it! Always ensure your Christmas tree is securely anchored to prevent it from falling and injuring your pet. Also, do not let you pet drink the Christmas tree water- these often contain fertilisers that can be toxic to your pet. Small ordainments could also be considered a great toy in your dogs’ mind; this could cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and also can lead to surgery.

Food:

During the holiday season, we all enjoy indulging ourselves in some of our favourite treats. Sweets, cocktails, and left overs all sound delicious to us and our pets. Be careful with sweets-  many of know that chocolate is toxic to pets, but did you know that xylitol (an artificial sweetener) is also very toxic and can be found in many holiday treats. Do not leave alcoholic drinks unattended during your holiday gatherings. If your pet does indulge themselves, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure. Make sure you keep your pet away from the table, garbage’s and any other unattended food or drinks as fatty, spicy and bones are dangerous for your pet and could result in costly medical bills.

Please keep these few tips in mind so you and your pets can enjoy the holiday season to the fullest.

From our PetFocus family to yours we would like to wish you a happy and safe holiday season.

Natasha Cavanagh, Veterinary Assistant

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