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The British Small Animal Veterinary Association recommends the principal
of pet health insurance to its members and their clients. |
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Keeping Pets Safe at Christmas
(12/12/2002)
In an average year, around 90,000 reported accidents involve pets and at
Christmas the number of mishaps around the home doubles thanks to
contributing factors such as Christmas trees that fall down and fairy
lights that cause injuries, turkey fat spillages and broken baubles.
Overindulgence is one of the prerequisites of the Christmas period. A
slice of turkey breast and a small helping of carrots and sprouts is
fine, but a large dog, filled with a large meal taken on an energetic
walk is a potential victim of gastric torsion (twisted stomach). Unless
treated immediately the condition can prove fatal.
Daly, an English Setter, suffered a gastric torsion last year that
required surgical correction and cost his owners almost £1500. In Daly's
case, his owners had taken out pet insurance with Pinnacle Pet Healthcare so
his veterinary treatment was covered by his Lifelong policy.
Susan Barry, Daly's owner commented: "Daly is one of several deep-chested
breeds of dog that are prone to gastric torsions and we have to remain
very vigilant in spotting the signs which in Daly's case appear to be
connected to excess wind and flatulence, a bloated stomach and obvious
signs of discomfort."
Bloat can also be caused from eating just one large single meal in a
day, drinking large amounts of water on a full stomach and gulping food
down very quickly.
Duncan Brady, veterinary surgeon from Spring Lodge Veterinary Hospital,
the practice that treated Daly's condition, said: "Any dog with bloat is
treated as an emergency and it is vital to get the dog to the vet
immediately. Around 30% of dogs with gastric torsions cannot be saved
and early detection will increase the chances of survival."
Last year Pinnacle Pet Healthcare received a growing number of foreign
body claims, including one for a dog that swallowed a cocktail stick,
which unfortunately pierced the wall of his abdomen in several places,
requiring complex surgery at a cost of over £1500.
"Christmas and the general spirit of generosity can be a problem for
pets," says Simon Wheeler, Marketing Director for Pinnacle Pet
Healthcare. "Just looking at some of the many claims we have received
highlights the dangers of dogs eating turkey bones, helping themselves
to the chocolates under the Christmas tree and charging around on a
large meal. Spending Christmas in the vets is no one's idea of a good
time and without the cover of insurance, a bill for treatment can be an
unwelcome surprise gift."
To avoid disaster for your dog or cat at Christmas Pinnacle Pet
Healthcare has listed 10 safety firsts:
* Christmas trees are the most common cause of accidents over the
festive season so ensure that the tree is in a corner position and
secured so that it cannot topple on your pet or other passers-by.
* Fairy lights are responsible for more than 300 accidents a year and
pets, especially cats, can rarely resist them. Cover any trailing power
cables to discourage pets from biting or playing with the wires.
* Decorations are best hung well out of paws' reach. Treading on a glass
bauble or swallowing a bite-size decoration can cause a pet a great deal
of pain and require immediate veterinary attention.
* Plants such as holly, mistletoe and poinsettia make a traditional
appearance at Christmas but they are poisonous to pets. Make sure that
they are displayed well out of harm's way and that all berries are
cleared away before your dog clears them first.
* Alcohol is not good for pets. Never leave half-empty glasses and
tumblers on the floor as a dog will help himself to whatever is left and
then everyone will suffer the consequences!
* Food is never to be given in man-size portions to a dog. Large breeds
such as Boxers, Dobermans and Setters should never be encouraged to
charge around after a large meal as this can lead to a potentially fatal
twisting of the stomach (gastric torsion). A little turkey breast and
some vegetables are fine as a treat but never include the bones. Turkey
and chicken bones can become lodged in the dog's throat or intestines
and often have to removed surgically before they cause greater damage.
* Treats are bad for a pet's teeth and waistline. Chocolate also
contains the chemical theobromine, which is poisonous to dogs. So beware
what items you feed your pet.
* Toys are a must at Christmas but check the quality of each item before
you present it to your dog.
* Safety, especially in the kitchen, on the stairs and crowded rooms is
paramount. Boiling pans, scalding liquids and hot cooker rings are
especially dangerous to dogs and cats. Keep pets safe and away from the
temptation of tit-bits left in bins and on high work surfaces. Make sure
that cocktail sticks and other easy to swallow items are not in the pets
reach. Always keep your vet's telephone number and a pen by the phone in
case of an emergency.
* Routine is good for dogs so try to maintain the usual walking and
feeding times. Remember two or three smaller meals are better than a
single large one.
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