CHRISTMAS time is fast approaching once more – a great time for everyone to enjoy themselves. This is true for our pets as well. Most cats and dogs love to see the bright lights and decorations. Kittens are particularly adept at scaling Christmas trees and pulling down tinsel. Pups love to tear at wrapping, so beware of your presents!

I have acquired a beautiful cat this year. It’s been over a year since I lost my old boy Columbo. People kept asking me when I was getting another cat. It takes time to come to terms with losing a much-loved pet but I knew a cat would turn up; they always do.

A friend contacted me saying she knew of someone moving overseas and unable to take her cat with her. It didn’t take me long to decide that I would become Fiona’s forever owner. Fiona is a Maine Coon and settled in immediately as if she had always been here. She has even become friends with my Labrador Lucy. I will have to see how she copes with the festive period but so far she has not tried to eat anything she shouldn’t and was remarkably calm with fireworks. If you are considering getting a pet for Christmas, remember that the saying “a dog is for life not just for Christmas” is never more true.

Every year at Dunedin Vets, we treat many pets which have been inadvertently poisoned and see some very distressed owners who feel so upset that they were unaware of the hazardous substance. I may have said a few of these points before, but I feel all pet owners should be aware of these potential hazards.

Most owners are aware that chocolate is toxic to pets and chocolate poisoning in dogs is the most common poisoning we see. Dogs are more likely to be involved than cats, who are less likely to eat chocolate as its flavour is less appealing to them. Be aware, though, of some gourmet chocolates with sea salt which are attractive to cats.

Chocolate contains a powerful stimulant called theobromine. The first signs that your dog has chocolate poisoning (apart from noticing torn wrappers) are vomiting and diarrhoea due to the direct effect of the chocolate on the stomach. If the dog digests the chocolate then the more serious signs occur. These include hyperactivity, high temperature and blood pressure, a fast heart rate and heartbeat irregularities.

Some of these signs can occur within a few minutes of your dog devouring the chocolate. The darker the chocolate, the greater the concentration of theobromine and therefore the more rapid onset of serious signs. Remember that chocolate cake and chocolate sweets are harmful too, not just bars of chocolate. If you know your pet has eaten chocolate, contact your vet immediately.

Grapes and their dried varieties are toxic to pets, even in small quantities. During the festive period, think about all the places where these fruits can be found: in the Christmas cake, Christmas pudding, mince meat pies, fudge etc. The cooking process does not reduce the chance of poisoning.

These fruits can initially cause gastro-intestinal upsets such as vomiting and diarrhoea. However, if the grapes are digested then a toxin enters the body which can cause kidney failure. This is likely to occur a few days after the initial ingestion of the food. If you suspect your pet has eaten grapes or similar, take them to your vet immediately. Your pet is likely to be given intravenous fluids and have a blood sample taken to check how their kidneys are working. It is possible that your pet will need to be hospitalised for a few days on fluids and given supportive treatment to help the kidneys. Regular blood samples will be required to ensure the kidney function is improving.

Holly, ivy and mistletoe are obviously plants connected with Christmas time and are often found in decorations and wreaths. Unfortunately, though, they are all toxic to our pets. The toxins they contain have severe effects on the body’s nervous system.

Eating holly berries can cause vomiting, but if digested and the poisons absorbed into the body, nerve problems can occur.

Ivy can be found in gardens, woodland and as a houseplant. The whole plant is toxic if eaten but the leaves and berries are particularly toxic. Rabbits are commonly poisoned by ivy. They seem especially attracted to its leaves. Initially, the rabbit may show signs of lethargy, diarrhoea & reluctance to eat.

Mistletoe berries are toxic. Puppies can often chew them. The juice of the berries is irritant and can cause sores and ulcers in the mouth. If the berries are swallowed and the toxin absorbed, seizures and death can occur.

If you are aware your pet has eaten any of these, remove any traces from the mouth. Try to make your pet drink, especially in the case of mistletoe. Take your pet to your vet as soon as possible. If you do not know what plant they have been eating, take along a piece for the vet to see.

Onions and other members of the allium family can be toxic to your pets. Remember at this time of year, onions in soup and garlic in sauces and seasonings are still potentially toxic. The alliums contain the chemical disulphide, which damages the red blood cells in domestic animals, leading to anaemia. Toxicity can occur by ingesting a lot of onion at once or taking in a small quantity over a period of time.

Signs that your pet may have onion poisoning include weakness, depression and pale gums. Please contact your vet immediately if you suspect they have eaten onions.

Nuts of any type are a potential choking hazard for small animals. Macadamia nuts are just the right size for causing blockages in cats. However, not only is this a problem but they are also toxic to both cats and dogs. Within a few hours of ingesting the nuts, lethargy, vomiting and a fever can occur. This can progress as the nut toxin affects different organs of the body. There may be neurological signs, lameness and stiff joints. Eventually, the animal may collapse.

Again, contact your vet if you know your pet has ingested a macadamia nut. In cats, where the nut has caused an obstruction, surgery may be required to remove the offending item from the intestines.

Remember wrapping and string can also cause intestinal blockages, resulting in surgical removal.

Wishing you a safe and happy festive period from all at Dunedin Vets and here’s to a more normal 2022.