Christmas tree, toys and other Christmas accessories often attract the attention of pets. And often pets try them on their teeth. Konstantin Eremeev, a surgeon at the Vetcity Clinic, told socialbites.ca about what kind of threat New Year’s decorations pose to animals and how they should not be damaged when providing first aid.
“When a tree and bright decorations are seen, cats’ hunting instincts are activated. Often pets get carried away by playing and gobble up Christmas tree rain and tinsel. Passing through the gastrointestinal tract, these long strips can literally cut through the inner walls of organs. There is also a risk that the jewelry may become tangled and cause a blockage in the esophagus, stomach or intestines. Eremeev said that only a veterinary surgeon could remove such a foreign body.
Dogs may chew glass toys or garlands. In the first case, the animal runs the risk of injury to the oral cavity and fragments entering the gastrointestinal tract; In the latter case, if the device is plugged in, there is an electric shock.
“Puppies go through a period where they explore the world by trying all the objects one after another. And sometimes the reason for this behavior is chronic gastrointestinal diseases or psycho-emotional problems, for example, a dog does not produce its energy. Therefore, pay attention to the safety of your pet’s Christmas decorations, and if you notice excessive interest in inedible objects, try to correct this with a doctor, dog trainer or animal psychologist.”
If cats or dogs decide to chew on the branches, the needles can damage the oral mucosa and get inside. In the best case, the animal will swallow a few needles and the needles will come out naturally.
“If your pet has eaten a foreign object, it is important not to cause harm when giving first aid. For example, pulling the tip of a Christmas tree or tinsel coming out of the anus is extremely dangerous: you can seriously damage the intestines. In practice, I periodically hear that owners give their pets Vaseline oil so that the foreign body comes out of the gastrointestinal tract faster. But if the animal resists and the medicine accidentally gets into the lungs, there is a risk of developing pneumonia: the fat is not absorbed in the lungs and blocks oxygen like a film,” warned doctor Eremeev.
According to the veterinarian, it is also not recommended to feed your pet heavily, so that the element appears naturally as quickly as possible. If the animal needs the help of a veterinarian, the doctor will have to spend valuable time washing the stomach.
In case of injury to the oral cavity, you can try to carefully remove stuck fragments or needles with tweezers. You can also draw Miramistin or Chlorhexidine into a syringe, lower your pet’s head and irrigate the oral cavity so that the liquid does not get inside. This first aid can only be administered if the pet is calm and not resisting.
In case of injury to the oral cavity and objects entering the gastrointestinal tract, it is better not to wait for the appearance of negative symptoms and immediately contact a veterinary clinic. The surgeon concluded that the longer the object remains in the esophagus, stomach or intestine, the more damage it will cause to the mucous membrane.
previously veterinarian explainedWhy is it dangerous to feed animals from the New Year’s table?