From
munching on colorful holiday light bulbs to ingesting chocolate treats intended
for human consumption, pets are exposed to a variety of dangerous objects
during the holiday season. In 2012, Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI)
policyholders spent more than $24.3 million on medical conditions commonly
associated with the holidays.
As the season approaches, VPI reminds pet owners
of the potential dangers presented to our four-legged companions.
Below are the most common holiday hazards for pets:
Below are the most common holiday hazards for pets:
— “People”
food and scraps
—Chocolate
and/or other caffeinated products
—Christmas
tree decorations (Ornaments and tinsel)
—Holiday
plants (Lilies, hollies, mistletoe and poinsettias)
—Holiday
lighting
Medical
Conditions Associated with the Holidays
Gastritis
(vomiting), the most common medical condition associated with the holidays,
cost an average of $275 per pet. Examples of potential holiday hazards that
could result in gastritis include the ingestion of Christmas tree water and
holiday plants, such as lilies, mistletoe and poinsettias. Enteritis
(diarrhea), the second most common medical condition associated with the
holidays, cost an average of $120 per pet. The ingestion of “people” food,
especially high fat leftovers and scraps are common examples of potential
holiday hazards that could result in enteritis.
Intestinal
foreign body – surgical (foreign object in the intestines), the most expensive
medical condition associated with the holidays, costs an average of $2,033 per
pet. The digestive system’s inability to pass tinsel, ribbons and bone
fragments (from holiday meats) are examples of foreign objects that could
require surgery for removal.
Of the 269,471 claims processed during the holiday months (November through
January 2012), 25,731 were for conditions commonly associated with holiday
festivities. Of those claims, 17,955, or 70 percent, were specifically
associated with vomiting and diarrhea, illustrating the importance of keeping
pets from eating tempting seasonal items.
Keeping
Chocolate Away from Pets
VPI received 1,016 methylxanthine (chocolate toxicity) claims in 2012. The 221
claims that were submitted in December alone presented a 306 percent increase
over an average of 72 methylxanthine claims submitted during the other 11
months of the year. Chocolate toxicity claims had an average cost of $378 per
pet. Although death only occurs in approximately one in every 3,000 chocolate
intoxication cases, the ingestion of chocolate could result in vomiting,
diarrhea, urination, hyperactivity, heart arrhythmias, tremors and
seizures.
“With
the increased activity and exposure to dangerous items during the holiday
season, it’s important to keep a watchful eye on our pets,” said Carol
McConnell, DVM, MBA, vice president and chief veterinary officer for VPI. “Pet
owners should be sure to place all potentially hazardous items out of reach.
Taking necessary precautions in advance will keep the holidays happy, and
hopefully avoid a trip to the veterinary emergency room!”
Image: Flickr
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