Pet-Proof Your Home for the Holidays

ANCHOR LEAD
THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS HERE-AND FOR MANY OF US, THAT MEANS DECKING THE HALLS...AND PREPARING A FEAST FIT FOR A KING. BUT HEADS UP! ALL THOSE FESTIVITIES CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR PETS' HEALTH. HERE'S REPORTER SCOTT HANSON.

NAT SOT Length: :02
(nats of holiday music)

TRACK ONE Length: :08
THE ORNAMENTS...
THE TINSEL...
THE LIGHTS ON THE TREE.
ALL GREAT WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY...
UNTIL YOUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS ENTER THE ROOM.

SOT
KEY @: :10 (short) Jill Klitzner, Pet Owner
"Chewing on the wires...drinking the water underneath the tree..."

TRACK TWO Length: :05
JUST SOME OF THE THINGS PET OWNER JILL KLITZNER (KLITS-NER) HAS HAD TO DEAL WITH IN CHRISTMASES-PAST.

SOT
KEY @: (covered) Jill Klitzner, Pet Owner
"The cat has...swallowed some tinsel."

SOT
KEY @: :19 Dr. David Matalon, Veterinarian
"All of those things can lead to hazards for our pet."

TRACK THREE Length: :09
DOCTOR DAVID MATALON (MAT-AH-LAHN) IS CONCERNED.
THAT'S WHY HE...AND OTHER VETERINARIANS...ARE EDUCATING CLIENTS ABOUT THE DANGERS PETS FACE THIS MERRY TIME OF YEAR.

SOT
KEY @: :31 Dr. David Matalon, Veterinarian
"Keep your pets away from the Christmas tree."

TRACK FOUR Length: :06
ESPECIALLY FROM TINSEL...WHICH CAN GET STUCK IN THE INTESTINES, REQUIRING SURGERY. ALSO--ORNAMENT HOOKS.

SOT
KEY @: :39 Dr. David Matalon, Veterinarian
"Pets may swallow those and they can become lodged in the stomach."

TRACK FIVE Length: :02
STRINGS OF LIGHTS ARE BEAUTIFUL...BUT...

SOT
KEY @: :45 Dr. David Matalon, Veterinarian
"Cats or dogs may bite into the cord which can then cause a thermal
burn."

TRACK SIX Length: :06
PLANNING COMPANY? WATCH WHERE YOU LEAVE RICH HOLIDAY FOODS AND TREATS....ESPECIALLY CHOCOLATE!

SOT
KEY@: 56 Dr. David Matalon, Veterinarian
"Dogs can have vomiting or diarrhea which may even progress to a condition called pancreatitis."

TRACK SEVEN Length: :03
YOUR BEST BET--PET-PROOF YOUR HOME.

SOT
KEY@: 1:03 Dr. David Matalon, Veterinarian
"Prevention is the best advice for anyone who owns a pet."

TRACK EIGHT Length: :02
JILL KLITZNER IS TAKING THAT ADVICE TO HEART.

SOT
KEY @: 1:09 Jill Klitzner, Pet Owner
"I don't put tinsel on the tree anymore. I try to keep the balls a little bit higher."

TRACK NINE Length: :03
ALL THINGS SHE HOPES WILL MAKE FOR A HAPPIER HOLIDAY.

SOT
KEY @: 1:17 Jill Klitzner, Pet Owner
"It will be a safer Christmas."

STAND-UP CLOSE :11
ANOTHER TIP:
KEEP PETS OUT OF THE KITCHEN DURING THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE SEASON.
THE LAST THING YOU WANT IS FOR FIDO TO GET UNDERFOOT AND BURNED FROM SPILLED FOOD.
FOR HEADS UP- I'M SCOTT HANSON.

ANCHOR TAG
SOURCE:
2004 Article by the
Veterinary Information Network
SOMETHING ELSE YOU MAY NOT HAVE CONSIDERED:
HOLIDAY PLANTS, LIKE POINSETTIAS AND MISTLETOE, CAN CAUSE SEVERE STOMACH UPSET...AND IN A WORST-CASE SCENARIO...
LIVER FAILURE AND SEIZURES.

SOURCES

Dr. David Matalon
Norton Animal Hospital
147 W. Main Street
Norton, MA 02766
(508) 285-9822

Dr. Matalon is a board-certified veterinarian specializing in small animal medicine and surgery. Each year, his hospital holds an informational seminar for clients to remind them of the dangers pets can face during the holiday season.