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Author: paige_soap

Halloween emergencies: chocolate toxicity in dogs

Although Halloween is an enjoyable holiday and celebration for many, there are an increased number of dangers to pets that are particularly prominent at this time of year.

We have discussed chocolate on numerous occasions, however this is the number one toxin that is seen in emergency practices – it is a topic you can never be too familiar with.

The Symptoms

Theobromine (found in chocolate) mainly affects the heart, central nervous system and kidneys. Symptoms will occur from 4-24 hours after the dog has ingested the chocolate and will vary depending on the amount of chocolate (theobromine) the dog has eaten.

  • Restlessness and hyperactivity
  • Diarrhoea
  • Vomiting
  • Rapid breathing
  • Muscle tension, inco-ordination
  • Increased heart rate
  • Seizures

How much chocolate is too much?

The VetsNow Chocolate Toxicity Calculator for Dogs is a useful tool.

The symptoms of poisoning vary depending on the size of the dog and the amount of chocolate eaten – the larger the amount of chocolate eaten, the more severe the symptoms tend to be. However, signs of toxicity can occur with small amounts of ingestion. For example, this is how chocolate is likely to affect a dog weighing 30kg:

  • Ingestion of 200g of milk chocolate is likely to cause a digestive upset (vomit and diarrhoea).
  • If the dog had eaten 500g of milk chocolate, it is likely that cardiovascular problems would occur (increased heart rate)
  • If the dog has eaten 750g of milk chocolate, it may experience seizures.

How do we treat chocolate toxicity?

The following steps are taken:

  •  Identify how much chocolate the dog has eaten – look out for empty wrappers as these can be a useful indication. The type of chocolate and the time it was consumed are also important factors in identifying whether the dog has eaten enough to be a toxic dose and what treatment should follow.
  • There is no antidote to theobromine. Depending on the timeframe, in most cases inducing emesis with apomorphine will aid in retrieving some of the ingested chocolate. Activated charcoal may also be used to absorb any chocolate remaining in the intestine. In more severe cases, intravenous fluids may be necessary as well as close monitoring of mentation, heart rate, blood pressure and kidney function.
  • With prompt intervention and treatment, the prognosis for a dog who has experienced chocolate poisoning is often positive.

Top tips for managing chocolate toxicity cases successfully

  1. Don’t forget about the packaging – was this also ingested? Could this cause a risk of GI obstruction?
  2. Chocolate can be an additional ingredient in seemingly innocuous food items (e.g. cakes, protein supplements) so make sure you check the list of ingredients.

If your dog has consumed chocolate, please call your vet.

Dotty- Equine Refferal Clinic

Please note, this post contains graphic content that some readers may find disturbing. 

‘Dotty’, a 5 year old pony was referred to our Equine Referral Clinic for treatment of a severe injury of her right hock. Poor Dotty had been kicked by her field companion, leading to a large flap of skin, under which was an enormous communication with her hock joint, leading to life-threatening infection of the joint.

Unfortunately for the horse, antibiotic penetration of joints is poor, and bacteria find very clever ways of hiding in a horse’s joint, meaning that they can rarely be successfully managed with medication alone.

Equine surgery preston

The best way to combat these infections is to surgically flush out the joint, within a 24-hour period. At Oakhill, we use an arthroscope (camera), to visualise the joint surface via keyhole incisions. During this procedure, any dirt or hair can be seen and therefore removed. At the same time we flush up to 10 litres of sterile saline to flush out the infection. Dotty underwent this procedure, and the complex skin flap was then closed over the exposed joint very carefully, in multiple suture layers. Intensive post-operative antibiotics into her vein and her joint following surgery ensured a successful outcome was reached for this lovely pony. She is now enjoying a normal life back at home with her owners!

Oakhill Farm Vets Clitheroe

Oakhill Farm Vets Clitheroe:

Improved farm productivity is one of the hot topics in British agriculture following last year’s Brexit referendum. Although the specific details are yet to be ironed out, there are a huge number of potential export markets for British produce. To realise this potential, Lancashire farmers need to boost farm output whilst maintaining a close eye on their cost of production. Animal health is one of the key drivers of efficient farm output on dairy, sheep and beef farms.

Farmers often rely on a team of trusted advisors to help them make the right decisions for their business. This can include business consultants, nutritionists and vets. The team at Oakhill Farm Vets have been working with Lancashire farmers for over 40 years.

Based at Goosnargh, Preston, the practice covers an area from Garstang through to Blackburn and now Clitheroe. The 9 farm vets provide 24/7 cover to over 400 farms, with 2 vets on call at all times in order to deal with all emergencies quickly.

As the business has expanded from 4 vets in 2010 to 9 vets in 2017 the practice area has also grown. To help clients with medicine collection, Oakhill has partnered with Michael Hoyle & Co at Clitheroe auction. Medicines dispensed from Oakhill at Goosnargh will be available for collection the same day in Clitheroe through Michael Hoyle.

Oakhill Farm Vets have also developed the highly successful Red Rose Dairy & Sheep Discussion Groups. This has helped farmers and vets to discuss topical animal health issues with leading industry experts. Watch out for the Clitheroe Red Rose meetings this winter.

Oakhill Farm Vets can be contacted on 01772 861300.

 

 

 

PPID Risk Increase With Age

ppid horses preston

The risk of developing PPID significantly increases with age. TAL research shows that a horse aged 15-20 is three times more likely to have PPID than a horse under 10. A horse of 20-25 is six times more likely, a horse of 25-30 is 10 times more likely.

ppid horses preston

You can pro-actively identify PPID in your veteran patients by offering a free* annual ACTH test to patients aged 15 and over during the TAL campaign.

Until the 31st October we’re offering FREE CUSHING’S LAB TEST FEE* FOR HORSES

Past ‘Talk about Laminitis’ test results show that you should look out for any of these clinical signs in your horse:

  • Laminitis
  • Abnormal or delayed moulting
  • Muscle wastage
  • Periorbital fat (fat round the eyes)
  • Increased drinking and urinating

To claim your free Cushing’s lab test fee, generate your voucher code at www.talkaboutlaminitis.co.uk, then call us to make your appointment.

Oakhill blood sampling fee, visit fee and postage still apply. Each voucher is only redeemable against an ACTH blood test where the patient has not previously diagnosed and being treated for PPID and is not valid for repeat testing /case monitoring.

Equine Client Evening Event 15th November: Find Out More…

Bovine Ischaemic Teat Necrosis

This is a disease that has emerged in the UK over the last 5 years affecting the skin around the base teat but often extending down the teat and onto the udder.

The lesions tend to be irritable causing the cow to lick the affected teats and in severe cases remove them. Currently very little isknown about the disease but due to the increase in cases recently the cause is thought to be infectious. Currently there are no known effective treatments with severely affected animals often culled. Other diseases affecting the teats can be mistaken for Bovine ITN but the lesions don’t tend to be as irritant to the cow.

AHDB Dairy are currently running a project in conjunction with Liverpool University to learn more about the disease and how to control it. If you suspect you have any cases on your farm please get in touch with us.

Meet one of our latest patients..

cat swallowed kids toy

This adorably cheeky kitten is 12 week old Freddie!

He recently stayed at our Conway Drive practice after his owners noticed he wasn’t himself after chewing on a children’s toy.

foreign body cat preston and clitheroe

After blood tests, medications and fluids he was much brighter but still not back to his normal self and an ultrasound revealed a blockage in his intestines.

The blockage was caused by a foam letter that poor Freddie had swallowed. This is referred to as a foreign body and needed an exploratory laparotomy operation to find and remove it from Freddie’s intestines.

As you can see from the photos he was soon back to his normal happy self, playing with toys and wrapping our nurses around his paws!

 

Could your pet be affected by pyometra?

Although pyometra is a fairly common condition, many people don’t know what it is.

Pyometra is an infection of the uterus (womb), common in female dogs and cats that haven’t been spayed.

In dogs, every time they have a season (usually about twice a year) they undergo all the hormonal treatments associated with pregnancy, regardless whether or not she is pregnant.

The changes that occur in the uterus during each season, increases the chances of an infection with age.  A very common organism called E. coli, found in your dog’s faeces, usually causes pyometra. Some injections with hormone, either to prevent seasons or for the treatment of other conditions can increase the chances of pyometra developing.

pyometra dogs preston

The signs usually develop around four to six weeks after the female has finished bleeding from her last season. In some cases, the bitch may appear to be having a prolonged season.

The signs and symptoms to look out for are:

Early stages:

  • Licking back end more
  • Season lasts longer than usual
  • Off colour
  • Off her food
  • Drinking and urinating more
  • Vomiting

Advanced stages:

  • Pus coming from vulva
  • Swollen abdomen
  • Collapse

If your dog has this condition, urgent treatment may be required, if left untreated these signs will worsen to the point of dehydration, collapse and death from septic shock, so please contact your vet as soon as possible.

Diagnosis and treatment

Your vet will probably suspect your dog has pyometra based on your description of the signs and from their examination of your pet.

They may suggest procedures such as ultrasound and blood tests to confirm the diagnosis, rule out other possible causes, and to check that your pet is well enough to undergo treatment.

The treatment of choice for pyometra is surgery to remove the uterus. The operation is essentially the same as a routine spay.

However, there is more risk involved and a higher chance of complications when the operation is being carried out on a sick pet. Your dog will also be given intravenous fluids (a drip), antibiotics and pain relief.

Can I prevent pyometra?

Most dogs will make a full recovery after treatment for pyometra, if the condition is caught early. Spaying your dog before she develops a pyometra will prevent this condition occurring.

If left untreated, or if the dog has had a pyometra for a while before presentation, she may be septic (bacteria has gone into the bloodstream) and more prolonged hospitalisation and treatment may be required. In this situation the prognosis is usually worse.

EVENT: Keeping The High Yielder Healthy: Part 1

OCTOBER 3RD farm events lancashire

Venue: J & D E Mitchell & Son, Snapewood Farm, Snapewood Lane, Garstang, PR3 0JP

Consultant Dairy Vet and Johnes enthusiast  Peter Orpin (Park Vet Group, Leicester) talks innovative control strategies and common pitfalls of infectious disease control. Workshops to include the latest in Johnes and IBR control, becoming BVD free and, if the weather holds, a look at zero grazing on the host farm.

For more information or to book, please contact Oakhill Farm Vets on 01772 861300.