Vets warn of dangers to pets during festive season and summer heat

20 Dec 2011
Veterinarians from the University of Melbourne are warning pet owners to take special care of their pets during the festive season and the hot summer holidays.

Sasha Herbert of the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital in Werribee explains that festive occasions like Christmas can be exciting and full of treats for us, but full of new dangers for pets.

"It is very important that pet owners are aware of the risks around the holiday season and take measures to ensure the safety of pets," Herbert said.

"Around the Christmas holidays there are dangerous toys and food to eat and summer dangers such as heat exhaustion, tick and snake bites."

Some of the main risks to pets over the holiday season are from food including ingestion of cooked bones and Christmas decorations that can cause intestinal obstruction, and pancreatitis from fatty meals.

"Many owners also don’t realise that whilst we enjoy a chocolate treat, small amounts, particularly of dark chocolate are poisonous to pets. So is the onion that may be going into your stuffing," Herbert said.

"Visitors also may mean escaped animals from gates being left open, chemical burns from cleaning products used to spruce up our homes and of course New Year firework terrors that send some animals into a frenzy."

Trips out of town mean pets may encounter paralysis ticks in East Gippsland and further north towards Sydney. Owners also need to keep an eye on their pets for snake bite, signs are drooling, enlarged pupils, weakness and shallow breathing.

During summer heat all pets need cool water and a shady spot, preferably indoors on days over 30 degrees, with heat stroke signs being heavy panting, drooling and staggering.

"As for all pet emergencies the best thing is to keep pets cool, calm and still while getting them to a vet as soon as possible. Owners should remember to call ahead to check their vet is open during holiday times. Snake bite on a limb should be bandaged but do not apply a tourniquet."

"Pet owners need to be especially vigilant over the Christmas period to keep their pets healthy throughout the holidays."