We recently had a common emergency at the centre. ‘Gutsy’ the Labrador trotted in having polished off most of a Christmas pudding. He looked very pleased with himself and not at all bothered by the concern his owner was expressing at the risk of this potentially toxic ingestion.

Happily oblivious to the potentially lethal effect on his kidneys that quantity of dried fruit could have, Gutsy looked decidedly less happy when I administered a medication to induce a stomach-emptying, vomiting episode. He was even less impressed when I hospitalised him overnight to ensure any remaining grape toxicity was flushed out of his system with an intravenous fluid.

The next day Gutsy’s kidney function was completely normal and he was returned to his worried owners who had to prepare a fresh pudding and place it more effectively out of his reach.

Grape toxicity is well documented. Not all dogs are susceptible to the effect and many dogs are unaffected by grape consumption. However, as we have no way of knowing which dogs will suffer and which won’t, avoiding grapes, sultanas, currants, etc. is the safest option.

Chocolate toxicity is equally common. Dogs are particularly good at scoffing chocolates left within reach, out of bags or even from within presents left under the tree! Remember, the darker the chocolate the more toxic it is so keep chocolates strictly for human consumption.

Other common gastrointestinal problems at this time of year are stomach upsets from over-indulgence, and fatty treats or leftovers can trigger diarrhoea or pancreatitis in dogs. Cats are dangerously attracted to string, tinsel and rubber bands, all of which can cause blockages when ingested and result in emergency surgery.

Some Christmas plants can also be poisonous – poinsettias, holly and mistletoe can be quite toxic, with mistletoe berries being particularly lethal. Lilies, while not particularly festive, are very dangerous to cats. Nibbling a leaf, licking pollen from fur or even drinking water from a vase with lilies in it can all result in fatal consequences.

So take care at Christmas – it should be a time of fun for humans and pets alike. If you are one of the 75% of pet owners who buy their pet a present, or one of the 2/3rds who spend as much on their pets as their partners, the last thing you want is to be rushing to the vets at closing time with a Christmas pudding emergency!