Aussie Dog "Cuddles" Eats Christmas Bauble Decorations - Family Foots AU$7,000 Vet Bill

In Melbourne, Australia, a 2 year old Labrador dog is lucky to be alive after ingesting Christmas decorations. "Cuddles" managed to eat a scarf made from Christmas ribbon and baubles. It was loosely draped around a toy Reindeer's neck.The dog's owner, Lorna Jeremiah, of Mulgrave in Melbourne, noticed the baubles were missing; but because she was tending to her newborn son Josiah, she didn't suspect that Cuddles had made a meal of the decorations. The dog collapsed later in agony and was rushed to Melbourne's Animal Emergency Centre. Veterinary director of the centre, Dr Cathy Warburton, reported that saving Cuddles had been a race against time.

"She had ingested ... two Christmas baubles joined together by a length of ribbon to make a scarf for a toy reindeer," Dr Warburton said.

"One of the balls had remained trapped in Cuddles's stomach while the other had traveled through to her small intestine, where it had become wedged."

Cuddles underwent emergency surgery and blood transfusions, followed by antibiotics and pain relief during her four-day stay in hospital. She is now resting comfortably at home, but has a tummy full of stitches to show for this escapade.

Dr Warburton said that many things associated with the festive season could be fatal to pets - dangers such as electrocution from chewing Christmas lights, choking on decorations, and head injuries when dogs get in the way of owners testing new games. Other things to watch for that are even more life-threatening are gastroenteritis after being fed bad leftovers, pancreatitis from fatty pork crackling and ham, toxic shock from exotic foods such as nuts, chocolate, sultanas and glace fruit, and alcoholic poisoning after consuming Christmas puddings or slyly lapping up alcoholic beverages.

Despite the expenses of Christmas and a new baby, Ms Jeremiah did not hesitate to foot the AU$7,000 veterinary bill. The dog was a gift from her husband Jamie in December 2007 after the couple had lost a baby.

"She has filled big holes in our hearts and is one of our family," Ms Jeremiah said.

Christmas safety for children and pets

This incident shows just how easy it is for a pet to almost die from ingesting Christmas decorations. Let's all make sure our festive decorations are safe and away from curious pets and toddlers this holiday season.

All Christmas lights should be checked annually before they are used to decorate trees and other household areas. They should not be placed where pets can chew on the wires or the lights.

Care should be taken when climbing ladders to string lights and decorations.

Alcoholic beverages should be for adults only and a responsible person should ensure children and pets are not able to consume these beverages either accidentally or purposefully.

If you know somebody with a particular food allergy is visiting your home, make sure you provide suitable food for them and show them which foods not to eat.

Merry Christmas! Happy festive holiday season!

Source:

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26497391-5013016,00.html

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