A vet has issued a warning to pet owners after a dog nearly died eating homemade Christmas decorations.
The couple from Livingston feared their pet was going to die after it wolfed down items from the tree made with salt dough.
It is potentially deadly for dogs but Jane Gardiner only realised something was wrong when eight-year-old Teisha started drinking copiously and constantly needing the toilet.
When the mum-of-two discovered the pup had eaten around half a dozen decorations from the Christmas tree, she rushed to the Vets Now clinic in Edinburgh.
Now Jane and husband Dave are backing vets’ calls for families to make extra sure their pets stay away from such festive hazards.
Edinburgh Live reported The couple got Staffie-cross Teisha as a rescue five years ago and the dog hadn’t tried to eat the decorations in previous years.
The salt dough decorations are made from flour, salt and water. Jane said: “It was all a bit hectic as my daughter was three and my son was just one month old, but I’d made them before and Teisha hadn’t bothered so I didn’t even think there would be an issue.
“I hung them quite high on the tree, but I think my daughter may have put some lower down. Teisha started drinking loads of water, emptying her bowl every time it was filled up and wanting out for the toilet.
“She looked really bloated and I felt something was wrong. When I realised she’d eaten all the salt dough, I knew that was really bad and we needed help fast.”
As it was late in the evening, they called Vets Now and were told to take Teisha straight to the Edinburgh clinic. Vet Kerrie Lovett explained: “The high salt content of the dough led to a dangerously high level of sodium in Teisha’s blood.
“Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhoea, increased thirst, urination, lethargy, incoordination, tremors, seizures, coma and potentially death, so this could have proved fatal.
“Happily, we were able to start fluid therapy treatment straight away and that brought the levels down safely. Christmas poses all kind of dangers for pets in the home and even something as seemingly harmless as homemade decorations could be deadly.
“Dogs are opportunists and will eat almost anything, so you should always seek veterinary advice as early as possible if you are concerned.”
Jane and her family were just happy the swift action prevented a Christmas tragedy. She added: “When we were told her sodium levels were sky high and felt it was touch and go, we were really tearful.
“We were worried we might not get our dog back and we didn’t sleep until we were told that while she wasn’t totally off the hook, it was looking better.
“We’ve been even more careful to keep her in a different room to anything the kids are playing with that might be a hazard. And we’re certainly not making salt dough this year.
“I’d definitely urge every pet owner to be extra careful at Christmas.”
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