Pet safety at Christmas!

      Here are some hazards to be mindful of as the festive season gets into full swing.

The following guide shows you which foods to avoid ( the naughty list) & suitable treats (the nice list).  
   (click on image to enlarge on mobile devices)

    Remember that cats can also be attracted to the foods listed above and as with dogs, are dangerous if eaten.

   Other hazards to look out for include;

    Batteries;

     Ingestion of batteries is more common at this time of year. If the battery is chewed and pierced it can cause chemical burns and heavy metal poisoning. If they are swallowed whole it is possible they will cause an obstruction. All batteries are potentially toxic so if you suspect your dog or cat has chewed or swallowed a battery - please call us.

   Bottle corks, corn on the cob, cocktail sticks, cracker toys, ribbon and tinsel can be dangerous if swallowed. Ensure that they are tidied away or kept out of reach of pets.

             

  

 Our Christmas song is a reminder of the hazards

  at  Christmas time

 ( to the tune of walking in a winter wonderland)

             

   December's here, the decs are glistening.

   The vet's phone rings, we are listening.....

   chewed up fairy lights, chocolates found,

   steal some bites.

Anxious pets? A New Year's party's planned.

The tree sways, glass baubles disturbed,

wanting to play, meows are heard.

Then something goes wrong, Felix falls down headlong
meanwhile Fluffy's eating purple tinsel strands!

In the kitchen,

Christmas cake & gammon ham.

A stretched out paw to reach the turkey crown.

Boiling water carried in a saucepan.

Be sure to keep the kitchen out of bounds!

 So as you begin to tire,

 watching TV by the fire.

    Remember your pets,

 safe and sound they must be kept.

    Our Christmas message we do hope you understand! 

   

     Remember;

     Christmas time often means a busy home, with friends and family coming together in seasonal spirit. Remember that new faces and more noise can be scary for your pet, so it’s a good idea to provide them with a safe room so they can escape and be put at ease if it all becomes too much. Be mindful of the front door opening with guests arriving and leaving. Make sure that dogs can't run out!  It’s also important to maintain your pet’s normal routines, especially with feeding and exercise, to avoid them becoming too unsettled.

  

                                                          

     In an emergency

    If you think that your pet may have eaten something that they shouldn't then swift action is necessary. 

Follow these four simple steps:

   Step 1 - Prevent your pet from eating any more.

   Step 2 - Phone your vet immediately!

   Step 3 -Stay calm and follow your vet's instructions.

   Step 4 -Collect the relevant wrapping and packaging.

     Make a note of our phone number and call us immediately -

01895 633600

                                                                                                     

      DISCLAIMER: 

      The contents of the Arden House Animal Hospital website are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your Veterinary Surgeon with any questions you may have regarding your animal’s medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. 

Pet of the month hall of fame - Frankie ( October)

Meet 12 year old Frankie!

This gorgeous boy is our brave pet of the month after overcoming injuries sustained from being hit by a car back in July.

When Frankie was rushed into the hospital it was clear that he had suffered a nasty injury to his head. Vet Katie carried out an initial assessment of his injuries - his jaw was fractured and his left eye had come out if its socket(prolapsed). He was in shock and pain so he was given some pain relief and intravenous fluid therapy to make him comfortable and help him recover from the shock. The following day Frankie was less distressed and we were able to assess him further. An x-ray was taken of his chest and abdomen to check that he hadn't suffered any internal injuries. Although he had improved a little, his neurological signs from the head trauma were unstable which meant he was not yet fit enough for a general anaesthetic and surgery to treat his injuries.


We continued to provide supportive treatment, he was such a brave boy and let the nurses syringe feed him. Four days after he was admitted to the hospital, Frankie's condition had improved further;  vet Louise carried out an operation to remove his damaged eye (enucleation) and stabilise the fracture to his lower jaw (mandible). This was achieved by using a stainless steel wire to align the jaw and hold it in place.
Frankie had also suffered some nerve damage to his right eye which meant that his eye reflexes were impaired. The nerves to his left front leg were damaged too which resulted in some loss of leg movement. Depending on the level of damage, the nerves can sometimes recover and function be restored.

After recovering well from the anaesthetic, Frankie was feeling a much happier boy. It was important to encourage him to eat so we tempted him with a selection of soft foods along with some cuddles. We felt that he would feel even happier at home with his creature comforts and  TLC from his owner so Frankie was allowed home. He came back in for a check up two days later and Louise was concerned that he was not eating as well as she'd expect. 

Looking at his jaw Louise could see that there had been some movement of the fracture site and Frankie was uncomfortable, so he was admitted to the hospital for further assessment under a general anaesthetic; the wire had loosened causing the fracture site to misalign.

Louise repositioned his jaw and tightened the wire. Following the procedure, Frankie was a sleepy boy so he spent a night in hospital. The following morning he was bright and comfortable and managed  to lap some food by himself! - Frankie was able to go home.

From this point on-wards, Frankie has continued to get better. He's had a few trips to see us so that we can assess his progress.  He is eating well and the nerve damage to his eye and his leg have improved. Overall he is enjoying life again!

Frankie has certainly been through the mill and we are so pleased that this gorgeous, friendly boy is well on the road to recovery.