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I will resist commenting on how Christmas has rushed around again but Oh My Goodness! It’s traditional for me to use this space to warn everyone (yet) again about Christmas dangers. In particular, the potential of sultanas, raisins and grapes to poison dogs, even though not every dog is susceptible to the toxic effects. The trouble is, we don’t know how to tell whether an individual is at risk or not. So, if your mince pie or Christmas pud ingredients have been raided, our advice is to visit your vet ASAP. It is best to not take the chance and administer an emetic. There are plenty of other Christmas dangers to be aware of though.
As I write this, we are having a flea epidemic! Always with us, the critters are happiest in warm homes with plenty of bodies, human and animal. Although bare floorboards might seem better than carpets, the eggs and larvae can fall down the cracks and be impossible to hoover up. There is a bewildering range of flea treatments on the market. Some are available in supermarkets and others can only be obtained from veterinary practices. Just yesterday, we found several live fleas on an itchy dog who had been treated a week ago with a product containing fipronil. This is the active ingredient of several well-known spot-on brands.
So can we say that these products don’t work? Well, no we cannot. The simple reason is that the fleas on the dog today may not be the same as yesterday. All dog and cat fleas look alike to the naked eye (although youngsters are smaller). So where does the supply of new fleas come from? The home environment or another animal in the house is the answer. Eggs are laid after a mere 24 hours on the host, another generation to take over the mischief! So your protection must be fast-acting.
The best spot-on flea treatments kill 100% of fleas within 24 hours and last for a full month. Many brands claim this but few deliver. One product protects against and treats lungworms in addition to fleas. It is ideal for spring-autumn use when slugs and snails abound. Here in the depths of winter, I recommend the use of a combined wormer with an effective flea treatment. This is especially true around Christmas when pets and kids seem to intermingle even more than at other times of the year. Ask at the surgery for advice as we like to tailor parasite prevention to the individual.
Instead of talking about all the things not to give your pets this year (as those Christmas dangers are well-documented), I thought I would recommend a few things that would make good presents. For the older or bony dog, a memory foam mattress would cushion those places that need it. Flashing collars are very useful for dark walks, as are fluorescent jackets (for dogs and walkers!) A showerproof jacket is a must for my (water-averse) terrier who hides under the nearest car if it’s raining. Quick-drying and absorbent “vet beds” are really useful! If wet dogs retire to their night-time bedding after a walk, the moisture seeps in and can cause odour from both dog and bed. Perhaps a personalised towel would suit?
Winter and cats really don’t go well together so get set for a semi-hibernation. A window seat to spy out the garden goes down well, with easy access for the elderly. This might mean some minor rearrangement of ornaments and a suitably sized and shaped bed. Perhaps as an extra to the sleeping quarters that should be warm and high up. A vertical scratching post may save some table legs from taking a beating and allow expression of your cat’s desire to make its mark on home territory.
An airborne hormone release device (“feliway”) can help feline stress if the house of full of different people over Christmas. These do need to be used with guidance though (we are happy to advise you). A running water fountain can be your very own internal water feature. Many cats love to drink from a dripping tap, if they get the chance. Certainly not good for the tap nor the bath and access to sinks is always slippery and hazardous. The mini fountain recycles fresh water through filters and needs no plumbing.
There are lots of animal toys out there. Beware of anything that can be crunched by a powerful set of jaws and then swallowed! We are not just talking about dog toys but gifts in the form of toys too – a key Christmas danger! Cats are more likely to eat linear foreign objects, like a thread pulled from material so choose your toys with care. There seem to be no safeguards for children’s toys so inspect carefully and critically.
We are being warned of an “El Nino” winter and if it comes true, we have very cold weather. Be aware of your dog’s feet and their exposure to snow and salt. Whilst a blanket of snow would be lovely, it’s a key Christmas danger for our pets. Really cold paws are insensitive to pain and snow covers up hazards like thorns and barbed wire. Often, red snow might be the only sign of an injury. Walking on treated roads and pavements just adds salt to the wound. We often see a lot of foot-sore dogs, usually with excessive licking and nibbling. A warm water foot bath after an icy walk may help with some magnesium sulphate added (Epsom salts), useful to soothe and draw minor wounds.
So, stay warm and keep those Christmas Dangers in mind to keep all your animals safe! All the staff and I would like to thank our loyal clients for their support over the past year and we look forward to welcoming you at Swan House in 2016.
