As members of the family, our pets are often included in Christmas festivities, and rightly so. And like us, they may also have a tendency to over-indulge if they are allowed. By keeping in mind the following points, your pets should enjoy a Happy & Healthy time over the coming weeks.

Christmas decorations, particularly those on string, can be a great source of fun, especially for cats but can lead to cut mouths & oesophageal foreign bodies if chewed or swallowed. Festive food can also be hazardous with fatty food such as Ham causing gastroenteritis or even life threatening pancreatitis. Cooked bones should  always be avoided and Turkey bones are especially brittle. Splinters of bones can cause considerable damage to the mouth and intestines, may cause an obstruction and often result in constipation. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and should be avoided completely.

The holidays are also a time when friends and families visit each other. If pets are to be left unattended we need to ensure their health and safety. Ensure a plentiful supply of fresh clean water is available as well as shade from the sun. If storms are forecast consider locking pets inside, particularly if they are anxious. Providing  suitable toys or chews for entertainment can help to alleviate boredom and prevent unwanted behaviour such as barking or digging. It is also important to consider pets when visitors come to your home. Those unfamiliar or nervous around lots of people should be provided with a means of escape.

Christmas or not, summer in Queensland always brings risks to our pets. Snake bites, paralysis ticks, cane toad poisoning and heat stroke are all commonly presented at this time of year.We sincerely hope that your pets never need us but remember we are always available in an emergency, even outside normal clinic hours. The duty vet can be contacted on 0418744611.