Christmas hazards all pet owners should be aware of!

During Christmas there is often chocolate lying around the house. No matter how it is packaged chocolate needs to be kept out of reach of our canine friends. Here's why:

Is chocolate poisonous to dogs?
The answer to the first question is "yes". Chocolate and cocoa products is poisonous to dogs and in large enough amounts can sadly be fatal. The toxic component of chocolate is Theobromine. Whilst humans can easily metabolise Theobromine it is not the same for our dogs. Dogs metabolise Theobromine much more slowly, causing it to build up to toxic levels in their system.
How much chocolate is poisonous to a dog?
The level of toxicity of chocolate to your dog depends on the type of chocolate e.g white, milk, dark chocolate, the amount consumed and your dog's size. In general a larger dog could consume more chocolate than a small dog before suffering ill effects.If your dog has eaten chocolate especially if you have a small dog that has eaten a box of chocolates, you need to call us right away. Do not wait.
What are the symptoms if my dog eats chocolate?
Initiallychocolate poisoning will usually present with severe hyperactivity.So if you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate and they are hyperactive, panting lots, unable to settle please call us. In extreme cases large amounts of Theobromine can produce muscle tremors, seizures, an irregular heartbeats, internal bleeding, organ damage or a heart attack.

What do I do if my dog has eaten chocolate?

If you are worried your dog has eaten chocolate call us on 01395 493333. We provide our own out of hours emergency service and will be available on this number. We will need to know what type of chocolate your dog has eaten and the amount, it is helpful to have the packet handy if possible as this will say the amount in grams and usually the percentage of cocoa to ensure they receive they appropriate level of treatment.

If you are worried or suspect that your dog may have eaten a large quantity of chocolate and they are showing any of the signs listed above, call us immediately.

The answer is "No". It is not OK for our dogs to eat grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants. These are everywhere at Christmas! Grapes can be found along side their good friend the cheese board, whilst raisins, sultanas and currants are hidden away in mince pies and Christmas cakes! Some of you may remember our Christmas tale from a few years ago where the canine in question got hold of a whole Christmas cake and became poorly.

How dangerous are grapes and raisins to dogs?
It only takes a very small amount of grapes, raisins, sultanas or currants to cause severe issues in some dogs and can even cause fatalities. Unlike chocolate, the problem with these fruits is there is no correlation between the amount of fruit eaten and the size of dog and research has not yet revealed which part of the grape is toxic to our dogs. Meaning whilst one dog may have eaten a handful and been OK, it may only take eating a single one to prove fatal in another dog. For this reason, it’s not advisable to feed any grapes, raisins, sultanas or currants to your dog. Our simple advice is to be aware of any products containing these fruits and to store foods containing these ingredients well out of reach of your dog. If you’re baking at home this Christmas with these potentially toxic ingredients be extra careful and do not leave children alone with your dogs in the kitchen.

How long does it take for raisins and grapes to affect your dog?
If you suspect your pet has eaten any of these fruits please contact us immediately as quick treatment is key to a favourable prognosis. If left too long in the most serious cases these fruits can cause sudden kidney and liver failure so it is advisable to contact us before any symptoms are shown, so the appropriate level of treatment can be determined.

Alternate names: Euphorbia, lobster flower, flame leaf flower, Flower of the Holy Night, Flower of Christmas Eve, Crown of the Andes, Easter flower

Is de-icer poisonous to cats? The answer to this question is "YES extremely". This is an important one to take note of! We have used reliable information from the Pet poisons helpline and the RSPCA to help put this together.

This time of year, the weather is turning colder and the sales of antifreeze begin to increase. Antifreeze contains a chemical called Ethylene Glycol which is highly toxic to cats and dogs. As little as a teaspoon ingested by a cat can be fatal and as little as a tablespoon ingested by a dog can result in severe acute kidney failure and death. To stop this happening please ensure all accidental spillages are avoided as ethylene glycol is known to taste sweet to pets. Store bottles safely, cleaning up spillages instantly and disposing of antifreeze (ethylene glycol) products responsibly.

You do not have to own a pet to follow these rules. It is not just antifreeze that contains ethylene glycol, you can also find this fatal chemical in radiator coolant (which typically contains 95% ethylene glycol), wind-screen deicing agents, motor oils, hydraulic brake fluid, developing solutions for photography, paints etc. When dogs or cats are exposed to ethylene glycol, immediate treatment is necessary with no delay!

The poisoning with ethylene glycol can be considered in three stages :

Stage 1: This occurs within 30 minutes to 12 hours, and looks similar to alcohol poisoning. Signs include: wobbling or unsteady gait, drooling, vomiting, seizures, and excessive thirst and urination.

Stage 2: This occurs within 12-24 hours post-exposure, and clinical signs seem to “resolve” when in fact more severe internal injury is still occurring.

Stage 3: In cats, this stage occurs 12-24 hours after ethylene glycol exposure. In dogs, this stage occurs 36-72 hours post-ingestion. During this stage, severe kidney failure is underway. Signs of decreased appetite, lethargy, drooling, bad breath, coma, depression, vomiting, and seizures.

Prompt and aggressive therapy is essential.

If your cat is showing any of the above clinical signs please call us immediately on 01395 493333. Press 1 to reach the on duty vet if it is out of normal surgery hours.

This time of year we will often see the gritters out and about gritting the roads with Rock salt. Rock salt is a mixture of salt (sodium chloride) and grit. This is used to help de-ice roads and pavements during the colder months. Rock salt can be a danger to our pets, especially dogs and cats. The danger comes when our pets walk through the grit and then lick it from their paws or fur. For this reason it is difficult to say how much needs to be ingested for signs of toxicity to be seen. Even a small amount of pure salt can be very dangerous to our pets.

Salt poisoning in dogs and cats can result in the following symptoms: vomiting, diarrhoea, lack of appetite, lethargy, wobbly walking, excessive thirst or urination, tremors and kidney injury. In the most severe cases a small amount of rock salt ingested by our pets can results in death. Therefore we advise do not delay. If you are concerned that your pet may have been exposed to rock salt please contact us immediately 01395 493333.

It is important to note that every species is different and what is safe for humans can be fatal to a dog or cat. Never administer any medications to your pet unless instructed to do so by your veterinary surgeon. Additionally do not attempt to use a painkiller in one species, such as a cat, because you know you have used it safely in another animal e.g. a dog.

Ibuprofen, Aspirin and Paracetomol are common poisons in pets this time of year. These are popular, effective medications used to treat inflammation and pain in humans , but they should not be given to pets. As these drugs can be toxic to dogs and cats, although cats are much more susceptible to this toxicity than dogs. A single 200 milligram ibuprofen tablet can be fatal to a cat or a small dog. Toxic effects can occur rapidly and damage the kidneys and stomach. Do not self medicate your pets with human medications under any circumstances!

If you think your pet may have accidentally ingested any human medications call us immediately. Symptoms include: Vomiting, Weakness, Lethargy, Lack of appetite and Black, tarry faeces

What should I do if my pet is in pain?

If you are at all worried that your pet may be in pain please call us for advice. As a profession we have access to alternative drugs that are safe for your pet and licensed for use in animals.

Many owners may not be aware that caffeine IS harmful to pets. Humans are increasing their caffeine consumption meaning that the potential for our pets to be exposed to this danger is becoming greater. The Pet Poison Helpline catagorise caffeine's Level of toxicity as Generally moderate to severe/life-threatening. Caffeine can be found in several sources around the home. The main sources are: coffee, tea, caffeinated fizzy drinks and some diet tablets and weight lifting supplements. Interestingly, caffeine is a cousin chemical of the toxic compound found in chocolate: Theobromine (day one of the advent calendar).

What happens if my pet has had caffeine?
Firstly call the practice immediately if you think your pet has ingested any caffeine. Our Veterinary surgeons will be able to provide you with over the phone advice to ensure the correct treatment is given. Signs to look out for are hyperactivity, restlessness, vomiting, a fast and/ or irregular heart rate, tremors, feeling hot to the touch, seizures, collapse and even death is possible.

How much caffeine is fatal to my pet?
Dogs and cats are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than people. If your pet has had 1-2 laps of a moderately caffeinated product such as tea or soda, it is likely that this will not contain enough caffeine to cause poisoning, however signs should still be monitored. If your pet was to ingest coffee grounds, tea bags or 1-2 diet/weight lifting pills this could prove fatal to a small dog or cat and veterinary attention would be needed urgently. If your pet has ingested any caffeine please call us immediately on 01395 493333.

Over Christmas we often consume more sweet goods or have them around our homes. A sugar-free sweetener called Xylitol is often found in the these products, for example: candy canes, chewing gums and even toothpastes. It is important to keep these products out of reach of pets, especially dogs. Xylitol is poisonous to dogs. Levels of toxicity are potentially mild to severe but depend on the amount ingested.

It is important to be aware that signs of Xylitol poisoning vary and can present rapidily or be delayed. So if you think your pet may have ingested Xylitol it is best to call us right away.

Common signs to watch out for are:

• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Collapse
• Vomiting
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)

Those of you that own a cat will be aware of how appealing the Christmas tree can be to them!Many cats are naturally curious of anything new and shiny and have a tendency to climb trees. So popping a brightly decorated Christmas tree up in the corner of a room can be oh so tempting! Christmas decorations can pose a hazard to our pets and there are some main points to consider.

Tinsel and other hanging decorations like baubles. These are particularly tempting for cats to play with and can often resemble cat toys. Besides the obvious risk of finding your Christmas tree on the floor there is a risk that our pets may ingest or even break Christmas decorations , causing injury or serious illness. Tinsel and angel hair are known to cause blockages if ingested and can even be fatal.

A current trend on Instagram shows people wrapping their pets in Christmas lights for photos. Please do not do this. Christmas lights can pose a real danger to pets on many levels. If they decide to chew on any electrical wiring or panic and become tangled the consequences don't bare thinking about for the sake of a photo. Ensure any wiring is not exposed and pets are always supervised around the Christmas tree. Also ensure no hazardous presents are left wrapped underneath the tree.

SNOW GLOBES OFTEN CONTAIN ANTIFREEZE (EYTHLENE GLYCOL, see day 4 of Advent Calendar)! Snow globes should be avoided to prevent any risk of accidental breakage or leaks. Be sure to check what chemicals your snow globe contains and keep it well out of the reach of any pets.

It's that time of year when many of us are using cleaning products. If you have pets around it is important to be cautious with which cleaning products are used. There are plenty of pet-safe cleaning products that you can buy which contain fewer chemicals in them so they’re less likely to harm your pet if they come into contact with them. If you do not want to use chemicals at all natural products like, baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice are good cleaning alternatives.

Make sure you put products away carefully after you’ve finished with them. Store them well out of reach of your pet, just like you would for children. Empty out and rinse mop buckets so they’re not full of bleach. If you have put bleach down the toilet, close the lid so your pet can’t drink from it. Also if we advise that you do not leave sink unblocking chemicals in sinks or shower trays when your pets are around.

Why are cleaning products dangerous?

If ingested some cleaning products can cause severe burns and ulcers in our pet's throats and stomach. This can cause permanent damage and can even be fatal.

What should I do if my pet has come into contact with cleaning products?

If you think your pet has ingested or come into contact with any cleaning products please call us and advise the veterinary surgeon of which cleaning products it was.

Signs that your pet has come into contact with cleaning products include:

• Ulcers and sore looking skin. This could be on their paws or, if they’ve swallowed the product, inside their mouth or on their tongue.
• Being sick or coughing much more than usual.
• Collapsing
• Seeming to have much less energy than usual.
• Trouble eating.
• Dribbling or foaming at the mouth.
• Rubbing their face and mouth with their paws.

Each essential oil is different and some may cause more adverse reactions than others. If you are considering using essential oils in your home it is advisable to contact us first to see if these are safe for your pets.

The problems can come if your pet is exposed to an essential oil diffuser or the oil in it's pure form, for example if they get the oil on their fur or paws and lick it off. A particularly harmful essential oil to our pets is 'Tea tree oil', also known as Melaleuca oil. Tea tree oil is often found in varying concentrations and high concentrations should never be used on pets. As little as 7 drops of 100% oil has resulted in severe poisoning, and applications of 10-20 mls of 100% oil have resulted in poisoning and death in both dogs and cats.

Clinical signs: includes weakness, unsteady walking or an inability to walk, tremors, coma, increased liver enzymes. In the most severe cases some essential oils can be fatal. If your dog or cat have been exposed to Tea tree oil or any essential oil that you are unsure of please call us immediately.

It can be difficult to find reliable, credible sources on Cannabis uses in pets. We would like to share this information from the most recent newsletter published by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (2018).

"Various oils are produced from different strains of Cannabis sativa , using different methods of preparation and cannabidiol (CBD) oil products have been much in the news recently...CBD oil is produced from the flowers, leaves and stalks of Cannabis sativa.... Currently cannabis-derived products are only legal in the UK as long as they contain less than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive substance in cannabis. As long as no medical claims are made, and it is clearly marketed as a food supplement, then it is legal to possess, buy and sell...The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) considers veterinary products containing cannabidiol (CBD) are veterinary medicines and should be regulated as such. CBD products for use in animals therefore now require a marketing authorisation before they can be sold or supplied in the UK. There are currently no CBD based products that have been granted a UK veterinary marketing authorisation and a veterinary surgeon may prescribe a legally obtained human CBD product under the provisions of the prescribing cascade. Administration of an unauthorised product containing CBD without a veterinary prescription is an offence under Regulation 8 of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR). Companies supplying CBD products for human use in line with the requirements of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) must not indicate or recommend their products for use on animals. The VMD has written to UK CBD suppliers and manufacturers to inform them of the decision and to ensure products containing CBD satisfy the requirements of the VMR.

There is currently limited research on the safety and efficacy of CBD oil in pets, but it appears to be well tolerated with only mild side effects (e.g. lethargy, increased appetite)."

Christmas trees themselves, whether real or artificial, can be a hazard to your pet. Especially if you own a cat that has a tendency to climb things they shouldn’t. The oils produced by some real Christmas trees are also mildly toxic if consumed, causing minor irritation to a pet’s mouth and stomach.

Be cautious if using any fertilisers or plant food on your tree if it’s potted, as many are toxic to pets and can also seep into watering trays and be ingested. It can also be helpful to remember that containers with soil might also get used as litter trays!

Additionally, there is a very small risk that sharp pine needles can cause internal damage if swallowed, or can get into eyes or ears – but these cases are extremely rare.

On the third day we discussed the dangers of poinsettias to our pets. Today we are looking at Holly. Certain types of yuletide plants ( can be toxic to our beloved pets. Varieties of English, Japanese, and Chinese Holly contain toxic chemicals. When Christmas or English holly is ingested, it can result in severe gastrointestinal upset and your pet will usually display signs of vomiting and/or diarrhoea. If ingested other signs that may be displayed are lip smacking, drooling, and head shaking excessively. We would advise that all yuletide plants are kept out of reach of your pets during the holidays. If you suspect your pet has ingested holly or any of our festive plants mentioned please contact us.

Onions, garlic, chives and leeks (Allium species):

When onions and garlic are ingested in sufficient amounts by our pets the chemicals in these foods have the ability to destroy their red blood cells causing severe anemia. Ingestion of onions or garlic of more than 0.5% of dog’s body weight are potentially toxic.Interestingly cats and some Japanese breeds of dog such as the Akita are more sensitive to the toxic effects than most. Symptoms are generally secondary to the anemia and include weakness, lethargy and pale coloured gums.

Signs and Symptoms:

Onion/garlic smell on breath, lethargy, pale gums (due to anemia), elevated respiratory rate and/or elevated heart rate, vomiting, and a reduced appetite.

Treatment:

 Contact us immediately if you think your pet has eaten any onions, garlic, leeks so we can give timely appropriate treatment.

Not all nuts are toxic to our canine companions but it is helpful to know that Macadamia nuts in particular are toxic to dogs. Depending on the amount nuts ingested, symptoms of severe lethargy, increased body temperature, vomiting, tremors, joint stiffness, and inability to walk (due hind limb weakness) may be seen. The toxic mechanism is unknown but can affect nerve and muscle function. Some dogs may also develop pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) due to the high oil content of these nuts. If you suspect your pet may have eaten macadamia nuts or a product containing these please contact us right away for advice.

This is particularly important most Lillie's pose a significant risk to our cats and can unfortunately prove fatal. It is important to note that in some species of Lilly all parts of the plant are toxic from the leaves, petals and the stamen, including sometimes the water in their vase. Please avoid having Lillie's in the home if you own a cat. In most cases we see cats have brushed past the Lilly pollen and then licked their fur causing toxicity. If you think your cat may have come in to contact with a Lilly or ingested any please call our vets immediately on 01395 493333. For more information you can visit. https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/lilies/

There are several species of mushroomsacross our beautiful country sides and woodlands. In general, all mushroom ingestion by pets should be considered toxic unless proven otherwise. According to the Pet Poison Helpline depending on the type/species of mushroom ingested, several general organ systems can be affected from the gastrointestinal system causing vomiting and diarrhea, to the central nervous system causing weakness and seizures. Some mushrooms can even affect the kidneys and liver. Some mushroom toxins will affect pets very rapidly (within 15-30 minutes of ingestion) while others will not produce signs for many hours (up to 24 hours). If you think your pet may have eaten a mushroom please contact us for advice. If possible please take a photo of the mushroom you think you pet has eaten as this will help us identify it.

The most common culprit we see for fruit stones are peach or nectarine pits/stones. These stones can become stuck in our pets digestive system and act as a foreign body causing a blockage. Peach stones contain a sugar-cyanide compound called amygdalin. Although a dog would have to consume several peach pits to be affected there is a more serious danger to these stones. If your dog tries to eat it whole, it can get lodged in his throat and cause difficulty breathing, similarly if your pet ingests the peach stone it can become stuck in the intestines and cause a blockage. This type of blockage would be an emergency as it may take a day or so for your pet to show any signs but can prove fatal. If you suspect your pet has eaten a fruit stone please contact us immediately.

Another festive plant rears its head. Mistletoe. There are several types of mistletoe which can be poisonous to pets: Phoradendron serotinum (American variety) and Viscum album (European variety). The American mistletoe is less toxic than the European varieties of it. Berries from this holiday plant contain polysaccharides, alkaloids, and lectins. When accidentally ingested by our pets, mistletoe poisoning can result in mild signs of gastrointestinal irritation (e.g., drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain). When ingested in large amounts, abnormal heart rate, collapse, hypotension (low blood pressure), ataxia (wobbling when walking), seizures and death have also been reported.

(Pet Poison Helpline, 2018)

Incase you missed day 2! Christmas puddings and mince pies are jam packed with currants, raisins, and sultanas. Here is a reminder as to why this is dangerous to our pets.

How dangerous are grapes and raisins to dogs?
It only takes a very small amount of grapes, raisins, sultanas or currants to cause severe issues in some dogs and can even cause fatalities. Unlike chocolate, the problem with these fruits is there is no correlation between the amount of fruit eaten and the size of dog and research has not yet revealed which part of the grape is toxic to our dogs. Meaning whilst one dog may have eaten a handful and been OK, it may only take eating a single one to prove fatal in another dog. For this reason, it’s not advisable to feed any grapes, raisins, sultanas or currants to your dog. Our simple advice is to be aware of any products containing these fruits and to store foods containing these ingredients well out of reach of your dog. If you’re baking at home this Christmas with these potentially toxic ingredients be extra careful and do not leave children alone with your dogs in the kitchen.

How long does it take for raisins and grapes to affect your dog?
If you suspect your pet has eaten any of these fruits please contact us immediately as quick treatment is key to a favourable prognosis. If left too long in the most serious cases these fruits can cause sudden kidney and liver failure so it is advisable to contact us before any symptoms are shown, so the appropriate level of treatment can be determined.

Avoid offering your pet fatty foods such as bacon, ham, meat trimmings etc this Christmas. Whilst we are sure they will love the taste it might not love them. Foods high in fat not only lead to unnecessary weight gain but can also harm their digestive systems. Rich foods with high fat content can cause pancreatitis flare ups in our pets. Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea. The high salt content of these foods can also make our pets excessively thirsty. It is best avoided all round. We have healthy vegetarian treat sicks in practice which make a great alternative.

Cooked bones should always be off-limits to our pets. They become brittle and easily break into sharp splinter like shards that can do a lot of damage. These shards have the potential to cause damange in the mouth, perforiate the esophagus or do further damage when they pass through the intestines which can prove fatal. Never feed your dog cooked bones . This includes left over Christmas dinner birds. If your pet has got hold of any cooked bones please contact us for advice.

Our final hazard of Christmas 2018. Alcohol.Most owners know not to give alcoholic drinks to their pets; however, alcohol poisoning in pets is more common than you think! Some pets will drink alcoholic beverages right out of the glass left on the side or may lap them off the floor if they spill. At this time of year alcohol is also found in surprising places including unbaked yeast bread dough and desserts made with alcohol. When pets ingest rising bread dough, alcohol from the fermenting yeast in the dough is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and can result in alcohol poisoning. Ingestion of alcohol can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure, and body temperature. Severely intoxicated animals can potentially experience seizures and respiratory failure. If your pet has got hold of alcohol please contact our vets for advice.

We hope you enjoyed our Christmas advent calendar and learnt a few useful tips. Please note that lots of these hazards are around all year through so please feel free to share the information with others. A shorter version of this information is also available to view on our Facebookand Instagram. We'd like to wish all our wonderful pets and their owners in Sidmouth and beyond a very wonderful Christmas and New Year.