Gold Coast vet shares tips on avoiding avoid pet emergencies this summer

IT might be tempting to share the love and give your beloved pet a piece of chocolate this Christmas, but vets are warning against it.

Animal Emergency Centre (AEC) at Varsity Lakes will see an increased amount of pets over the festive season. Dr Justin Campbell with Peaches the Bull Arab cross. Photo: Kit Wise

IT might be tempting to share the love and give your beloved pet a piece of chocolate this Christmas, but vets are warning against it.

More than 400 animals are expected to be rushed to the Animal Emergency Centre at Varisty Lakes this festive season, double the monthly average.

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Veterinarian Justin Campbell follows one simple rule: “If in doubt, don’t feed it, even if you think you’re doing a kindness.”

Dr Campbell said indigestions were a prevalent pet emergency at this time of the year.

“Pets will be offered party and barbecue foods … eating a raft of things outside their normal diet that could potentially be dangerous to them,” he said.

“Even the humble snag is novel enough to upset many pets’ digestive systems and may cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and in some cases, life-threatening pancreatitis.”

Dr Campbell encouraged pet owners to stick to routine dog and cat food and approved vet treats.

“Leave it at that,” he said.

But stomach issues aren’t the only emergencies pets could find themselves in this month.

“The ingestion of poisons such as rat baits and snail pellets is also a problem,” Dr Campbell said.

“Or sometimes human medications including anti-inflammatories and antidepressants.

“You also have to be careful or snake bites and paralysis ticks, and trauma from animal fights and motor vehicle accidents.”

To avoid dangerous situations, Dr Campbell has a few tips.

“Ensure leftover scraps are picked up and put into a secure bin,” he said.

“Avoid emptying drip trays from barbecues and roasts in the garden, as dogs often eat the sand and soil from that area and may get an impacted gut.

“Tell children and guests not to feed pets foods that may be harmful, including mouldy food, chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, macadamia nuts or yeast containing dough.”

In the event of a pet emergency the local AEC clinic is at 4/492 Scottsdale Drive, Varsity Lakes

Food you should not give your pets

●Chocolate: toxic to dogs and cats, even in small quantities.

●Nutmeg: can cause tremors, seizures, issues with the nervous system and death.

●Avocadoes: contains a dangerous toxin that can damage the heart, lungs and tissues.

● Turkey skin: pork crackling, sausages and fatty meats can lead to inflammation of the pancreas.

●Onions and garlic: can cause gastric irritation and anaemia.

●Grapes and raisins: can cause acute kidney failure.

●Macadamia nuts: can prove to be toxic to dogs.