The winter season is coming upon us now, and it brings with it special areas of concern. 

The animals that sleep outside don’t usually need a heat pump, but they do need deep, dry, clean bedding kept from any draft. This can be provided by a blanket, dry sawdust or straw. The area needs to be changed frequently and inspected to insure that it stays dry. 

The holidays always bring with them the temptation to give our pets gravy or the extra trimmings from turkeys and hams. Too often, though, we find that a high fat meal or even an extra big helping of meat can cause vomiting and dehydration in our small dogs.  

This condition occurs because the dog’s pancreas is stimulated to produce too many digestive enzymes. This condition can be fatal since the pancreas may start to digest itself. It is better to resist the urge to give any fat to our pets or to overfeed them.

The carcass of the holiday bird, as well as ham bones and drumsticks, all seem like a real treat for our big dogs and can cause a real problem at the end of the holiday.  The bones all need to be safely deposited in the trash can with the lid tied on.

Christmas tree ornaments and tinsel hold a special fascination for children and small pets.  While cats love to bat at low-hanging ornaments, they occasionally attack and eat the bright shiny creations and experience a problem that often requires surgery. It is safer for the pets if ornaments are out of reach.

Wintertime home mechanics must also be aware of curious pets.  When antifreeze or oil is drained from a car or truck, pets are liable to drink it. Therefore, antifreeze and oil must be disposed of immediately. Ingestion can cause a rapid and fatal reaction within the animal. 

As we look to the holidays and the changing season, we need to be able to see through the eyes of our pets.

 (Fred Conkel is veterinarian of Westgate Veterinarian Clinic.)