Poisons & hazards

Chocolate

Both chocolate (which contains a stimulant called theobromine) and caffeine (found in coffee and tea, energy drinks and supplements/ medication) are poisonous to cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, and guinea pigs. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is to pets. Signs of poisoning usually appear within one to four hours and include vomiting, diarrhoea, increased thirst and urination, lack of co-ordination, restlessness, tremors, excessive salivating, and high heart rate. Treatment is usually successful.

Grapes/Raisins, Currants and Sultanas

Grapes, raisins, currants, and foods containing them, such as cereals and cakes, are toxic to dogs, cats, and ferrets. The most common sign of toxicity is vomiting, usually occurring within 24 hours, followed by lethargy, diarrhoea, lack of appetite, and abnormal drinking or urination. The odds of recovery depend on the quantity consumed and the speed of treatment. With aggressive treatment, recovery is possible, but if kidney damage occurs, it can be life-threatening.

Nuts

Peanuts have been reported to have adverse effects in some pets. Some reported symptoms included, vomiting/diarrhoea, twitching, spasm, agitation and convulsions. Macadamia nuts are also toxic to dogs and can cause weakness, tremors, vomiting, depression, lameness and stiffness.

Onions and garlic

Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks are toxic to pets in any form. Ingestion can lead to vomiting, abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, and diarrhoea, sometimes within 24 hours but more often after several days. With prompt treatment, most pets will recover well.

Xylitol

Xylitol, also known as birch sugar, is an artificial sweetener commonly found in chewing gum, toothpaste, and some sweet baked goods like biscuits and cakes. It is highly toxic to dogs, causing a rapid drop in blood sugar. Symptoms of xylitol poisoning, which typically appear within one to 12 hours, include disorientation, vomiting, a high heart rate, drowsiness, and seizures. In severe cases, it can lead to liver failure. While most pets recover well with aggressive treatment, liver failure, although less common, can be potentially fatal.

Alcohol

Ethanol, found in alcoholic drinks, hand sanitizer, and mouthwash, is poisonous to pets. Other sources of ethanol poisoning include perfumes and raw fermenting bread dough. Symptoms of ethanol poisoning typically appear within one or two hours and include vomiting, diarrhoea, agitation, lack of coordination, and drowsiness. Most pets recover well with treatment.

Salt

Consuming too much salt, present in various sources such as table salt, rock salt, playdough, and bath products, can be harmful to pets. The initial symptom of salt poisoning is vomiting, which can occur within minutes. This is often followed by diarrhoea, lethargy and weakness, excessive thirst and urination, lack of coordination, tremors, and rapid breathing. While most pets recover well with prompt treatment, severe cases can be fatal.

On the Lancashire coastline, it’s not uncommon to see jellyfish washed up on the beach. Jellyfish are a type of boneless sea creature with a bell-like body and long tentacles. The tentacles of jellyfish have nematocysts, which are the cells that cause the stinging sensation.

You may approach them to have a closer look, but you shouldn’t touch them and neither should your dog! If you see any jellyfish you should put your dog on a lead to avoid them touching them.

Are jellyfish stings dangerous to dogs?

Although the fur on most dogs offers a layer of protection, they can be just as vulnerable to stings on lightly furred areas such as the face, feet, and abdomen. They are also at risk for stings inside their mouths if they attempt to pick up a jellyfish with their mouths, especially as this stinging action can occur several weeks after the death of the jellyfish.

Washed up jellyfish may be dead, but they still have the ability to sting for several weeks. Dogs often like to investigate everything they come across, but if a jellyfish stings your dog, it’s important to get them seen by a vet as soon as possible if they react.

What should you do if your dog is stung by a jellyfish?

A jellyfish sting can be very painful, especially to your dog. If you think he’s been stung it’s important you remove any stingers and stop the chemical reactions:

1. Pull the remaining tentacles off with a stick or towel, but never rub them and be careful that you don’t come into contact with them.
2. Never rub the injured area with sand and always clean it with sea water rather than fresh water.
3. Contact us straight away.

What are the signs your dog has been stung by a jellyfish?

While it’s unlikely your dog will die from a jellyfish sting, or from licking or swallowing a jellyfish, it can cause an array of symptoms from two minutes to 3 hours after the sting.

There are many types of jellyfish in the ocean, and they have developed several different types of toxins. Common symptoms of a jellyfish sting include:

• Nausea, retching and vomiting
• Excessive drooling
• Swelling
• Licking affected area
• Difficulty breathing
• Quiet and lethargic
• Itching
• Muscle cramps

The recovery time for dogs stung by a jellyfish ranges from two to 48 hours and most dogs usually recover with no side-effects.

Lilies

Lilies are very dangerous to cats. Eating just two or three leaves or drinking from the water from a vase can be potentially fatal. If you ever suspect your cat has eaten, or even licked, a lily seek urgent veterinary advice.

Amaryllis

The stalks, flowers and bulbs contain phenanthridine alkaloids which are toxic to cats. The highest proportion is in the bulbs. Eating amaryllis can cause vomiting, changes in blood pressure, tremors and seizures.

Daffodils

Daffodils are synonymous with spring but can be toxic to dogs and cats, particularly the bulbs. The yellow flowers contain a poisonous alkaloid that can trigger vomiting while crystals in the bulbs are severely toxic and can cause serious conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias or respiratory depression.