A pet owner has issued an urgent warning after she was hit with a £547 vet bill when her pup tried to eat a very popular festive treat.
Amanda Whyte, 48, from High Wycombe, was shocked to see her black Labrador Lola, 11, and Jack Russell/Beagle mix Spotty, seven, sniffing at crumbs on a plate of mince pies, which are poisonous to dogs.
Her children had brought the sweet treats from school to start the Christmas season and were unaware the puppies could reach them.
“Christmas is expensive enough,” she revealed.
‘So getting a vet bill of over £500 wasn’t the gift I asked for. Luckily I had insurance.’
Amanda Whyte (pictured), 48, from High Wycombe was shocked to see her black Labrador Lola, 11, (also pictured) and Jack Russell/Beagle mix Spotty, seven – sniffing at crumbs on a plate of mince pies, which are poisonous to dogs
“What makes our story so disastrous is that we took both dogs to the vet and only the lab ate them,” she admitted.
“Which cost us a double whammy on an already stressful day.”
Amanda’s insurance covered £397.
She paid £150 out of pocket to cover the emergency appointment, which was not covered by basic insurance, plus an extra £50.
“I’m very responsible, but these things happen, especially with a greedy Lab who always eats random things,” she added.
Animal health influencer Cat Henstridge – known as Cat the Vet – has warned that owners should be made aware of the risks their pets face at Christmas.
Her children had brought the sweet treats from school to start the Christmas season and were unaware the puppies could reach them. Amanda pictured with Lola
Amanda described the incident as ‘every dog owner’s worst nightmare’. In the photo: Lola and Spotty
‘Households are full of festive food, plants and decorations which are all dangerous to dogs if eaten,’ she explained.
‘It’s very useful to have a handy guide for your fridge, such as the one from MoneySuperMarket, especially for guests who may not know the risks as they can sometimes be the culprits.
‘No one wants their pet to be injured by something that is avoidable, especially at such a busy and already expensive time of year when the whole family needs to have fun and not rush to the vet.’
The price comparison site also revealed today that UK dog owners will spend an estimated £91 million or more on emergency vet visits this Christmas due to avoidable festive hazards.
A third of company respondents (33 percent) have needed emergency medical care over the holidays, with chocolate (30 percent), cheese (16 percent) and turkey bones (14 percent) the biggest culprits.
Despite these risks, 21 percent of dog owners don’t have pet insurance, while a third say it’s too expensive.
“Our research shows that some dog owners are putting off insurance because of the cost,” said Saarrah Mussa, pet insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket.
‘But as we’ve seen from our research, accidents do happen, especially at Christmas, when a mince pie or box of chocolates can be too tempting for your pet.
‘Vet bills can add up quickly, so if the worst happens it’s better to be covered.
The bill totaled £547, which covered the cost of treating both dogs. In the photo: Amanda and Spotty
‘Almost all insurance policies have a cooling-off period of two weeks, during which time insurers will not honor claims. That means if you’re thinking of taking cover for Christmas, you better do it now before the house is full of festive treats.’
According to the price comparison site, the average dog insurance premium can cost as little as £9,675 per month for a healthy dog with no pre-existing medical conditions.
Taking into account the breeds, ages, conditions and policies, the average annual premium for dog insurance is €293,916.
Animal experts warn Christmas decorations pose a risk to your pets
A pet care group has warned owners about all the different ways festive decorations could pose a risk to our furry friends this winter.
The community pharmacy for sick animals (PDSA) has mentioned on its website how tinsel, Christmas trees and hanging decorations can endanger your animal.
A pet care group has warned owners about all the different ways festive decorations could pose a risk to our furry friends this winter. Stock image used
DANGEROUS:
ARTIFICIAL SNOW
The charity explained that while UK manufacturers are likely to use ingredients that have a ‘low risk of toxicity in pets’, products imported from abroad may not do so due to differing safety regulations.
A small amount of artificial snow may cause your animal a ‘mild stomach upset’, but should not lead to serious or lasting problems.
However, if they eat a lot, a blockage can occur due to a build-up in the stomach. If this happens, a veterinarian should be contacted immediately for advice.
TINSEL
The PDSA says tinsel is likely to attract curious animals who think the decoration is a shiny new toy – and while it is not strictly poisonous, pets may choke on it, leading to potentially serious injury or even death.
If your pet has eaten tinsel, you should contact the vet immediately as it has likely caused a blockage while attempting to pass through the intestines.
ORNAMENTS, BAUBLES AND LIGHTS
Tree decorations pose numerous risks to your pets.
Some may try eating baubles, which can cause breathing obstruction if they get stuck in the throat, and lead to stomach and intestinal problems.
Glass ornaments can shatter if they fall to the ground, putting your pet at risk of stepping on small broken fragments.
And all fairy lights pose a risk of electric shock, especially higher voltage versions.
TOXIC:
EDIBLE TREE DECORATIONS
According to the charity, edible tree decorations – if your pet can reach them – pose a very high risk depending on the ingredients used.
Much will be made of chocolate – which is highly toxic to cats and dogs – thanks to an ingredient called theobromine, which causes nervous system damage in the animals.
And similarly, things like candy canes can contain low-sugar substitutes, such as xylitol, also very toxic to puppies.
REAL CHRISTMAS TREES
A traditional Christmas tree often signals the start of the holidays for many, but in general an artificial version is much safer for all the animals in the house.
The oils from the needles of real trees are also toxic to pets and can lead to illness, liver damage or even death.
The PDSA website states: ‘When a pet ingests small amounts of tree sap by chewing on branches and needles, it can cause unpleasant side effects such as unusual breathing, vomiting and diarrhea.
‘Swallowing a large amount can seriously affect kidney or liver function, which can be fatal.
‘Contact your vet immediately if you think your pet has eaten liquid or oil from the branches.’
The water in front of the tree is also dangerous. This is because stagnant water is often a breeding ground for bacteria, causing pets to experience stomach upset if they drink it. Be careful not to add chemicals, fertilizers or preservatives.
And regardless of whether a tree is real or artificial, your pet can still get hurt if he knocks it over or tries to climb it. So make sure it is firmly attached.