With airports, traffic, and lots of family time, the holidays can be stressful enough without a pet emergency. Unfortunately, this time of year tends to bring a spike in unplanned vet visits.
Because the holidays can introduce a lot of new variables to pets – such as new environments, new foods, and new people – unpredictable circumstances can lead to accidents. “We always see an uptick of cases of pets eating foods that do not agree with their systems, or eating foreign bodies like holiday decorations,” said Dr. Jamie Richardson, Small Door Veterinary’s Chief Medical Officer.
Small Door, which provides gold-standard veterinary care backed by the latest research and protocols, has a location right across from Trader Joe’s at Columbus Avenue and West 92nd Street. They know the pet issues that matter most to Upper West Siders, and the top tips to keep pets safe and healthy throughout the holiday season. Read on to learn Small Door’s tips that might help you spend midnight on New Year’s Eve at a party instead of at the vet.
What advice do you have for traveling with your pet?
Pets are creatures of habit, so to the extent possible, try to keep their routines the same while you’re on the road. “Continue to feed them and walk them at the same time you normally would,” said Dr. Richardson. Maintaining the habits that keep your pets healthy during normal times of the year will help get them through the holidays safely.
If you know your pet is anxious traveling or around a lot of people, that’s also something to discuss with your vet. “There are medications we can provide that can help with car sickness or anxiety so that the holiday does not become a stressful period for your pet.”
What issues should pet parents watch out for during holiday parties?
If you’re having a gathering, it’s best to set some friendly ground rules for your guests about how to interact with your pet – especially if they haven’t met before. For example, make sure visitors know to not give out table scraps, even if your pet is asking nicely. “If you have the big brown eyes of a Labrador staring at you, there’s a temptation to just give them whatever is on your plate,” she said. “But that can lead to GI upset, amongst other things.”
What are some dangers related to the holiday decorations in our apartments?
Checking around your house for risks is very important. “Take a look to see if you have plants that are toxic to pets, especially cats, like lilies and poinsettias,” said Dr. Richardson. “Tinsel is another thing that we don’t want cats to have access to since it can cause a foreign body obstruction in their GI tract, which is very dangerous.”
Another risk is the Play-Doh ornaments which are a popular homemade project for kids. “This material has tons of salt in it, and when they’re hanging on the tree they can be very tempting to pets,” she said. “These can cause a foreign body obstruction as well as salt toxicity. Make sure that you’re keeping an eye on these objects or that your pets have restricted access.”
What are some foods to watch out for?
Many holiday-themed bakes involve chocolate or raisins, two well-known toxins to dogs. As a general practice, Dr. Richardson advises to not leave food on the counter unattended. “Many large breed dogs can get up onto counters. So it’s best to keep food, the sort of stuff that’s toxic, packed away.”
If a health issue does arise, what should pet parents do?
Contact your vet or a nearby animal hospital. Of course, traditional vets might have reduced hours or availability over the holidays. That’s why Small Door offers 24/7 telehealth, which is staffed by nurses trained on all of Small Door’s protocols.
Having this resource not only gives peace of mind to Small Door’s members, but it can also save money by avoiding trips to the emergency room. “If you have a large dog that ate a Hershey’s Kiss at three o’clock in the morning and you’re wondering what to do, instead of having to go to Google, you’re able to contact one of our highly trained telehealth nurses,” said Dr. Richardson. “In that case, they’ll say, ‘don’t rush to the ER. Your dog is going to be absolutely fine with that amount and type of chocolate. Go back to bed and don’t stress.’ Equally, they can tell you when it’s time to get to an ER. Having this personal connection can be a lifeline to our members.”
As a special offer to West Side Rag readers, Small Door is offering $100 off the first year of membership. To learn more about Small Door, membership benefits, and to book an appointment, click HERE.
