Gembrook Veterinary Clinic staff wish their customers a very merry Christmas.
THE Christmas period holidays are a wonderful time to spend quality time with family, friends and pets.
But there is a serious side – whether camping, travelling interstate or staying at home it is important for pet owners to consider the common threats to the health and wellbeing of their furry and feathered friends.
Gembrook Veterinary Clinic’s Dr Thomas Cook has a few tips for the warmer months.
1.Christmas time usually means hot weather, so make sure your pets have lots of fresh cool water and suitable shelter, especially pets in cages outside like guinea pigs and rabbits.
2.Do not leave pets in cars. Even cars with windows down can get extremely hot, leading to heat stroke and possible death.
3.Consider local health risks when camping. Snakes and ticks love hot weather and water so be mindful of them.
Scrubby bush, long grass, and creek banks are hotspots. Check for ticks daily and consult with your veterinarian regarding appropriate prevention and treatment.
4.Although we love to eat lots of ham and rich food over Christmas it doesn’t always agree with our pets. Fatty or rich food can induce conditions such as pancreatitis which is both painful and very serious.
5.Unfortunately too many pets that get lost over holiday periods aren’t returned. Make sure your pet can be identified with a microchip with your current address and phone number and have tags on their collars.
Gembrook Veterinary Clinic staff are spending time with their families over Christmas too, and will be closed from Christmas until 3 January.
They wish everyone a safe and merry Christmas.
Gembrook Veterinary Clinic is located at 87 Main Street and can be contacted on 5968 1888 or 0422 805 299. The clinic is open 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to noon Saturdays.
