Jean Dion

50plus Magazine

Meredith and her husband Steve* were nervous about leaving their pup Goldie for the holidays, but a new grandchild had arrived in Arizona. Their friends Steve and Karen offered to help, promising to take very good care of Goldie, treating her just like their own child.

Here’s where things went wrong.

“Goldie knows Steve and Karen, so this seemed like a perfect solution,” says Meredith. “We were nervous about leaving her in a kennel since she was just a puppy. We’re home all the time because we’re retired, and we were sure she’d be uncomfortable in a clinical environment. Placing her with friends just seemed perfect.”

While Goldie knew and loved her sitters, after being dropped off she missed her family. She didn’t want to go for walks. She wouldn’t play with her toys. She lurked near the front door, looking for her family.

“Karen was cooking a big holiday meal, and she thought maybe food would soothe Goldie’s blues,” says Meredith. “I would have done the same thing, to be honest. But she gave Goldie too much of a good thing.”

After a full plate of turkey, stuffing and all the fixings, Goldie became lethargic. Soon she was vomiting. Between episodes, she put her rear in the air and her front legs and head on the floor.

“Karen called me from the emergency vet and she told me Goldie had pancreatitis. She said there were two other dogs there with the same condition. Anxious pet parents swapped stories in the lobby.”

Canine pancreatitis is common around the holidays. Far too many families console or treat their pups with fat-laden meals that are harmful to a dog’s delicate system.

Pancreatitis is a life-threatening illness in both dogs and cats. Emergency medical attention is critical. For cats, pancreatitis can be triggered by many things, including food and underlying diseases like inflammatory bowel disease.

“Most problems pets face during Thanksgiving and the holiday season can be easily prevented if pet owners are informed,” says Dr. Ladan Mohammad-Zadeh, a critical care specialist at DoveLewis, in the Portland emergency veterinary hospital’s blog.

“The most common hazard is gastrointestinal upset caused by fatty foods, so avoid sharing what’s on your Thanksgiving plate, secure garbage cans, and know which foods can pose the most serious problems for pets,” Ladan Mohammad-Zadeh says.

Goldie spent several days in the hospital, at great expense to her worried family. She did make full recovery and will spend this holiday at home, eating her regular food.

“We’re so thankful our friends got Goldie the treatment she needed,” says Meredith. “And we’re thrilled she’s here with us for another holiday. But we’ve sure learned our lesson. We’ll just tell her she’s a good girl instead of showing her we love her with food.”

If you’ve fed your dog too many treats or fatty snacks and notice vomiting and lethargy, call your veterinarian immediately.

Better yet, be like Meredith and show your dog your love without snacks.

* Names changed for privacy.

Jean Dion is a marketing professional living in Salem. When not writing, she’s gardening or taking care of her four cats, two dogs and two rabbits.