Call Us
Goosnargh:
01772 861300
Lytham Road:
01772 718774
Kirkham:
01772 681992

Tag: dogs

Are jellyfish stings dangerous to dogs?

Are jellyfish stings dangerous to dogs?

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.

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.

https://www.high-endrolex.com/20

Preparing your pet for firework’s season

Preparing your pet for firework’s season

Fireworks are a common phobia for pets as they often find the loud, unpredictable noise and bright displays of light very frightening. Even a seemingly confident pet can tremble and drool at the unfamiliar sounds.

Preparation is key

Preparation is all-important if dogs are to get through fireworks with the minimum amount of fear and stress. First you need to make a special place where your dog can get away from the sounds he fears. Most dogs will already have a favourite room to go to, in which case all you need to do is modify this place to make it even more suitable as a bolt hole.

Some dogs do not know where to escape and for these individuals, you need to create somewhere for them to hide. It is best to choose a room that is naturally quiet and has minimal numbers of windows. It is best to prepare the refuge as far ahead of the firework event as you can. Your dog must always be able to get to this place whenever he is frightened.

IN ADVANCE

  • Install a Dog Appeasing Pheromone (ADAPTIL) diffuser in your home, preferably close to or inside the dogs hiding place. This is a device that looks like an air freshener that you plug into a wall socket. It produces a smell that is like a chemical that your dog’s mother used to calm her puppies. It should be left operating 24hrs a day and if possible installed a couple of weeks before a known event. ADAPTIL makes dogs feel much more relaxed and confident when they might otherwise be stressed.
  • Put in lots of blankets for your dog to dig and burrow in, preferably placed in a corner where the dog has already tended to dig or hide. Include an old, unwashed piece of clothing e.g. woolly jumper, so that your dog can smell your scent and feel comforted by your indirect presence.
  • Try to minimise the amount of noise entering the bolt hole room from outside. The dog must not see the flashes of fireworks or lightening, so close the windows and use heavy curtains to make the room dark.
  • Bowls of food and water are essential and it is a good idea to make sure that your dog has emptied his bladder an hour or so before the fireworks start.
  • Leave a few special chews and things for your dog to eat in the hiding place in case he fancies something chewy to reduce his tension. However, do not be alarmed if he does not seem interested in them – some dogs are simply not interested in treats at a time like this.
  • Moderately loud rhythmic music with a good beat is an effective way to mask the fireworks from outside.
  • Get your dog used to going to the hiding place 2/3 times each day during the run up to a firework display by taking him there and giving him some food or a favourite chew. This will help the dog understand that this is a good place to go to.
  • Give your dog a large, stodgy, carbohydrate-rich meal in the late afternoon of the day. Pasta, mashed potato or overcooked rice will help him feel calm and sleepy as the night draws in.
  • Make sure your pet is kept in a safe and secure environment at all times so that he doesn’t bolt and escape if a sudden noise occurs.
  • It’s a good idea to ensure that your pet is microchipped and the details are up to date just in case they do bolt and escape.
  • For severe fears and phobias, medication is available and you could book an appointment to see your vet.

WHEN THE NOISES START

  • Do not over fuss or soothe your pet to relieve their fears, as it gives them the impression that there is something to be frightened of.
  • Do not get cross if they are scared as it will only make them more frightened.
  • Ignore the noises yourself and try to appear happy and relaxed.
  • If your pet is only mildly fearful, you could try to engage them in some form of active game. Try to appear happy and unconcerned. It can help if you play a game with another pet in the household because the frightened one may be tempted to join in.
  • If your pet is very frightened by the noises and cannot be encouraged to play, then take them to the hiding place and encourage them to stay there.

An Easter Warning

As Easter is approaching we will be enjoying the treats and flower that this encompasses however dogs and cats can become very ill if they ingest or come into contact with certain things.

Chocolate

During Easter we all enjoy eating some (a lot of) chocolate. Whilst for us it is a delectable treat, for dogs (and cats) if ingested, can cause life threatening illness. Chocolate contains theobromine that at toxic levels can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and shaking and can lead onto seizures (fits), heart issues and ultimately death. If you suspect your dog has consumed chocolate please ring the practice immediately as if treated early can reduce the risk to your dog.

Hot Cross Buns (raisins)

Raisins within hot cross buns can cause irreversible kidney failure and sadly death if consumed by dogs. Toxic doses vary and a very small amount can be deadly. If your dog has or even is suspected to have ingested raisins or grapes immediate veterinary treatment is indicated.

Bulbs

Easter is a time when spring emerges and our gardens and hedgerows are bright with colour from flowers. Certain flowers for example daffodils and hyacinths originate from bulbs buried in the ground. Dogs, especially puppies may be dig them up and may chew and ingest them. Toxicities can vary but usual signs of vomiting and diarrhoea are common. Veterinary intervention may be indicated so please contact the practice if you have any concerns.

Lilies

Lilies are highly toxic and extremely dangerous for cats and will cause kidney failure and sadly death. All parts of the lily is toxic i.e. stem, flower and pollen. The most common route of ingestion if through the pollen whilst grooming. Our advice would be to NEVER have lilies in a house where cats are present.

Anti-freeze

As the weather warms and people get out and about into their gardens and garages, cats have access to areas where chemicals such as antifreeze are stored. Antifreeze is sweet and is sadly enticing to cats which if consumed causes irreversible kidney failure. As cats are outdoor animals it can be hard to stop this however owners can alert unaware neighbours to keep chemicals such as antifreeze locked away from prying paws.

Alabama Rot: Confirmed case in Preston but owners advised to stay calm but vigilant.

The disease, which causes ulcers on the skin and kidney failure, has reportedly resurfaced in Preston.

Anderson Moores Vet Specialists have confirmed three new cases of the deadly dog disease have been found in the UK, with one case in Preston.

Alabama Rot is a potentially fatal disease affecting dogs which has been identified across most of the UK since 2012. The disease doesn’t discriminate between age, gender or breed and the cause is still unknown.

The disease (also known as CRGV) has been dubbed the ‘black death’ because it’s so aggressive. When it comes to the symptoms, the most obvious are unexplained skin lesions. They are often circular and typically appear on a dog’s lower legs, below the knee or elbow and in rare cases, they’ve also been found on the stomach and face.

alabama rot

The lesions may look like a simple swelling or ulcer and the dogs affected usually lick the wounded area and it will become hairless. The lesions are likely to be followed by kidney failure, which presents symptoms of vomiting, tiredness and lack of appetite, these signs can take up to 10 days to present.skin lesions

Despite the disease slowly working its way up the country, it doesn’t appear to be contagious as there are no known cases of it spreading from dog to dog. There’s some anecdotal evidence that suggests it could be picked up by pets drinking in the outdoors, although this has not been proven. Another suspect is that it can be caught from muddy and wooden areas as many of its victims were diagnosed after being walked in the woods, this has led vet to ‘strongly suspect’ there is an environmental trigger- possibly a toxin in the muds that the dogs are absorbing on their walks. The issue with this claim is that hundreds of dogs walk in the same areas of the countryside every day and only a tiny number are affected, this could mean those dogs have some intrinsic predisposition to the disease.

As the cause of Alabama Rot is still unknown, developing a vaccine hasn’t been possible. The good news is some dogs have survived after being diagnosed with the disease, if the skin ulcers are present but no kidney injuries are present, the prognosis is good. However around 85% of the dogs affected go on to develop kidney injuries and do not survive.

Time is of the essence with Alabama Rot as it develops incredibly fast, as soon as skin lesions appear, you should get your dog to the vet ASAP as the best chance of success is early, aggressive veterinary treatment.

Although Alabama Rot is a terrifying disease for any dog owner, the chances of your dog catching it are still very slim.

If you’re concerned that your dog may have Alabama Rot, please Contact Us

Conker poisoning in dogs

Conkers (seeds/nuts of the horse chestnut tree), may be synonymous with autumn but did you know that they can pose a serious risk to your dog if ingested.

Conkers contain a poison called aesculin which is toxic to dogs. A dog would normally need to ingest several conkers to suffer severe poisoning.

Clinical signs are usually seen between one and six hours after ingestion, although they can be delayed for up to two days.

Symptoms of conker poisoning include:

[checklist icon=”fa-paw” iconcolor=”#39aa87″ circle=”yes”]

  • Vomiting, which may contain blood
  • Diarrhoea
  • Drooling
  • Abdominal pain
  • Increased thirst and reduced appetite.
  • Signs of restlessness, wobbliness and muscle tremors may also be seen.

[/checklist]

Poisoning is not the only risk – these large nuts could cause a blockage in your dog’s intestines.

Although fatalities in cases where dogs have consumed conkers are thankfully rare, it is still very serious, so if you suspect your dog has ingested conkers, please contact your vet immediately.
https://www.high-endrolex.com/18
If necessary, the vet will give the dog medication to make them vomit and they may also perform gastric lavage (wash out the stomach).  This is designed to ensure as much of the poison is removed from the dog’s system as possible.

Although dogs love to forage when they’re out exploring, do keep a watchful eye on them when they’re around conkers.

HEAT STRESS IN DOGS

Overheating and heat stress can be a killer so here are some tips to help your dog have a happy and healthy summer.

 

SYMPTOMS:

  • Panting excessively
  • Drooling
  • Increase in heart rate
  • Reddened/purple gums
  • Vomiting and Diarrhoea
  • Seizures progressing to coma and even death.

TREATMENT:

As soon as possible move your pet to a cooler spot, keep them as quiet and calm as possible. Use wet cool towels to gradually lower the temperature and use a fan if possible. Contact your vet as soon as possible as serious complications may result.

 

PREVENTION:

  • Exercise your dog early morning/late evening to avoid the midday sun.
  • Ensure access to shade in the garden you could even supply a paddling pool!
  • Have fresh cool water available, put ice -cubes in the water if taking some out with you.
  • Be extra careful with either very young or old, overweight or longhaired animals. Some breeds are more likely to suffer including short-nosed breeds such as boxers and pugs etc.
  • NEVER leave your pet in a parked car even on overcast days the temperature can increase dramatically.
  • Clip longhaired breeds.
  • Use a fan in the rooms where you pet likes to settle.

 

 

Anti-freeze poisoning in pets

As the weather gets colder many of us will use anti-freeze in our car engines, but while it’s convenient for us, it’s also very dangerous to our pets.

While many people may think, ‘why would my cat or dog go near anti-freeze?’ well, Ethylene glycol- the main ingredient in most anti-freeze brands has an inviting aroma and sweet flavour. Its appealing smell and taste often tempts animal into tasting it.

Anti-freeze is found in car radiators and some screen washes, but it is extremely toxic to both dogs and cats. As our pets like drinking from ditches, puddles and ponds, it could mean they’re prone to drinking water contaminated with anti-freeze. Anti-freeze can also be found in some inks and snow globes.

The active ingredient of many anti-freezes, ethylene glycol, is rapidly absorbed into the body after drinking. Within hours it causes severe kidney damage, which is very difficult to treat. In one report involving 25 cat cases, 96% of those affected died.

Signs & Symptoms

Some common signs of antifreeze poisoning in dogs and cats include:

  • Drunken behaviour
  • Euphoria/Delirium
  • Wobbly, uncoordinated movement
  • Nausea/Vomiting
  • Excessive urination
  • Diarrhoea
  • Rapid heart beat
  • Depression
  • Weakness
  • Seizures/Convulsions/Shaking tremors
  • Fainting

Treatment

If you suspect your pet has drunk some anti-freeze, it’s important you contact us ASAP. If your cat or dog is treated immediately after exposure it has a far greater chance of survival. However your pet will need intensive treatment. Tragically, the survival rate is very low if the kidneys have been damaged and poisoned pets often have to be put to sleep.

Prevention

Anti-freeze is one of the most life-threatening poisonings that vets see, but there is a safer alternative. Propylene glycol anti-freeze is more expensive but safe for pets and other wildlife. All anti-freeze products should be labelled to show its contents, so please check these before purchasing and avoid products with Ethylene glycol.

 

Keeping chocolate out of reach this Christmas

Christmas is a time where chocolate isn’t usually in short supply and with it being a very busy season, it’s easy to get swept up in the occasion and often forget about leaving advent calendars and chocolate treats lying around, but if your pet does manage to get hold of some chocolate it can endanger their health, sometimes seriously, and even innocent treats can be deadly.

The reason chocolate is poisonous is because it contains a chemical called theobromine and while we usually focus on dogs due to their appetites and their amazing ability to steal food, please note that this chemical is not only poisonous to dogs, but is also poisonous to other animals such as cats, rodents and rabbits.

Although any chocolate should be kept out of reach of your pets, it’s important to note that the darker and more expensive chocolate usually contains more theobromine, which can make the fancier chocolate more poisonous.  Although white chocolate contains less theobromine and is less likely to cause chocolate poisoning, it’s still very fatty and can still make your pet ill.

If any of your pets do eat some chocolate, depending on their size and the amount they’ve consumed, initial signs and symptoms can be vomiting and diarrhoea. Chocolate is also a stimulant and can lead to your pet to become excitable, as well as developing muscle twitching, tremors, fitting and life threatening problems with their heart and severe cases can be fatal.

Over the Christmas period make sure that all chocolate is out of the reach, this includes chocolate decorations hung from your tree, advent calendars, boxes of chocolate put out on Christmas day, and one that many people forget is the wrapped chocolates under the tree (most pets have a great sense of smell and can easily get into these chocolate treats).

Although chocolate wrappers are not poisonous, they can cause an obstruction in the gut if eaten.  This can be very dangerous and may require surgical intervention.  Signs of an obstruction may include vomiting, lethargy, your pet being off their food, not defecating or finding it difficult to defecate.

If you think your pet has eaten some chocolate, please contact us for advice about what to do next.

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.