Curious pets (especially young ones) may be interested in the protruding spring plants and their bulbs that are beginning to make an appearance with the warmer weather and they may chew or eat the spring flowers. These include snowdrops, crocus, daffodils and tulips which may be growing in the garden or be available in the home as cut flowers. These can cause gastrointestinal upset and some animals may require treatment to control vomiting and replace lost fluids.
Grape toxicity is linked with kidney damage in dogs. Eating grapes and their dried fruits (currants, raisins and sultanas) can result in sudden kidney failure and even death in dogs. The toxic substance in grapes is unknown, but dogs cannot metabolize tannins, flavonoids, and monosaccharides from grapes. Traditional easter cakes such as hot cross buns and simnel cake contain raisins or sultanas. Ingestion of even a small quantity of dried fruit can cause severe kidney failure. For more information on Grape poisoning, visit the Animal Poison Helpline (https://www.animalpoisonline.co.uk/)
As Easter approaches, some of us will be anticipating family gatherings which often involve tempting chocolate goodies and cakes, it’s hard to resist and it’s easy to forget that some things us humans enjoy so much are actually toxic to cats and dogs! Easter eggs and other chocolate products (and their wrappers) are often very attractive to pets. Please take care to keep your pets safe from chocolate and other spring-time dangers!
Chocolate contains a chemical called ‘theobromine’, which is toxic to dogs and cats. The darker and more bitter the chocolate the more theobromine it contains.
Dogs should not eat chocolate. If your dog has accidentally got hold of some, their risk will depend on their weight, the type of chocolate and the amount they have eaten.
The half life of theobromine in dogs is about 18 hours. Theobromine primarily affects the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and respiratory system, as well as having a diuretic effect. The first signs of poisoning in dogs include vomiting, haematemesis (vomiting blood), and polydipsia (increased thirst). In large enough amounts, theobromine can be fatal.
Although there is no specific antidote, supportive management includes induction of vomiting and administration of activated charcoal, oxygen, and intravenous fluids. The lethal dose of theobromine is reported to be 100-500 mg/kg of body weight in dogs.
You should monitor them closely and seek veterinary attention if they show any symptoms. Symptoms usually start within six to 12 hours, but could appear within one hour. If your dog has eaten chocolate, contact your veterinarian, an emergency veterinarian, or the Animal Poison Helpline (https://www.animalpoisonline.co.uk/)
Your instinct might be to simply pry open their mouth and take away the item. Firstly, this technique can be dangerous as it puts you at risk of being bitten and could make the dog swallow or choke on the item. It can also increase the chance that the dog will become more possessive over items in their mouth in the future — it’s a recipe for resource guarding.
Secondly, don’t chase them around in an effort to get it back. Dogs love to play the ‘keep away’ game and chasing after the item increases its value in your dog’s mind. Some dogs will even swallow items if they think you’re about to take it away, which could cause them to choke or create an obstruction in their digestive tract. Instead, try one of these distraction techniques:
These suggestions are for situations that need an instant response and we would recommend that you regularly work on more positive teaching methods for your dog such as the ‘drop’ and ‘leave it’ responses in preparation for such situations. Find out more about the one-to-one training sessions we offer at Donovan Veterinary Behaviour Practice.
There are varieties of ‘pet chocolate’ available but be aware that although these won’t contain theobromine, they can still cause obesity. Whether you decide to give your pet a playful treat or a tasty treat, they’ll be happy! We’ve selected a number of toys to keep your Dogs and Cats entertained and away from your Easter eggs so everyone can be happy – visit our Links section to find out more.
Today, Thursday the 14th of March is Dog Theft Awareness Day and we would like to shed some light on pet theft and how we can avoid it.
According to a Government report from 2021, a staggering 2,000 dogs are stolen in the UK every year in England and Wales alone.
This week, our mission is to arm pet owners with knowledge and tips to combat this distressing trend and safeguard their beloved companions from falling prey to such crimes.
Here are some practical tips to enhance your dog’s safety:
Let’s spread awareness about dog theft prevention. Together, we can make a difference and keep our beloved companions safe from harm.
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