Planning Holiday Gatherings? 4 Pet Emergencies That Require Medical Attention

Posted on: 20 December 2022

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The holidays are here. If you have pets, it's time to plan for their safety. Holiday gatherings can increase your pet's risk for accidents and injuries. When accidents do happen during the holidays, you need to provide immediate attention. That can include a trip to the animal hospital for emergency care. If you're not sure how to safeguard your pets, read the list provided below. Here are four emergency situations that can befall your pets during holiday gatherings. If your pets experience any of the situations below, get to an animal hospital right away.  

Open Wounds

If you're planning holiday gatherings at your home, know what pets will be coming to visit. It's not uncommon for pets to become aggressive, especially around unfamiliar animals. Unfortunately, that can increase the risk of fights, which can lead to open wounds. If your pet gets an open wound during a fight, clean the area right away. If the wound is deep, visit an animal hospital as soon as possible. Rapid wound care will help prevent infections. 

Broken Bones

If you're hosting holiday gatherings, you can expect a lot of activity around the house. This includes extra foot traffic and extra vehicle traffic. That combination increases your pet's risk for broken bones. Broken bones can happen if your pets get hit by a car. Or, if they get stepped on during the festivities. If one of your pets gets into an accident, check for broken bones. If it looks like your pet has a broken bone, seek emergency medical attention at a local animal hospital. 

Poisoning

If you're planning holiday gatherings, your pets might be at an increased risk for poisoning. You know what your pets can have, but that doesn't mean your guests do. Poisonings can happen when your pets get into toxic foods. Some of those foods include grapes, chocolate, and alcoholic beverages. Some plants can also be toxic to your pets. Those plants include poinsettias and holly berries. If your pets ingest any of those items during the holidays, take them to the hospital right away. 

Exposure

If you expect snow during the holidays, make sure you know where your pets are during the holidays. Spending too much time outside can cause your pets to experience exposure. If your pets get stuck outside during the holidays, it's a good idea to have them checked out at an animal hospital. This is especially important if your pets feel cold to the touch. Or, if they become lethargic after getting stuck outside in the cold. 

Contact a local pet hospital to learn more.