Dark Nights Across the UK, as we shift into the Autumn season, our nights become longer meaning it gets dark much earlier than in the Summer months. All pets will benefit from a little extra thought on how to make them more visible as the nights draw in to minimise the risk of coming to any harm. Road traffic accidents are way more common when the days are short, but there are many ways to keep yourself and your pets safer and more visible to road users. Pets: - Wearing light-up collars or collar clips.
Reflective collars, leads and harnesses (yes even cats can have these too!) Horses can have light-up reins, bridle attachments as well as hi-viz.
Owners: - Hi-Viz jacket or vest. Reflectors on clothing and accessories Head torch. Bright clothing.
Fireworks The majority of pet owners will notice a change in their pet's behaviour during firework season, many of which will say their dog is scared or even terrified, so Bonfire Night and other celebrations in the latter part of our year can be a stressful time for pets, and owners alike. Pets generally have far more sensitive hearing than us humans, so the loud explosions that make us jump, are likely deafening to our pets. There are many options you can try to help keep your pets relaxed such as using calming music or TV to drown out the noise of fireworks. Adaptil & Feliway diffusers may be beneficial but should be acquired and put into use a couple of weeks prior to fireworks to allow them to work at their best. Thundershirts or similar wrapping techniques can also induce a calming effect on pets. Old or used fireworks can be hazardous post-event as well as they contain dangerous chemicals that can be harmful to your dog. The chemicals found in fireworks can cause unpleasant side effects if ingested such as; vomiting, an upset stomach, and abdominal pain or can cause blood in their faeces as well. More serious effects can include seizures, kidney and liver problems, and respiratory distress or even a blockage in the intestine. If there have been fireworks in your area, always check your garden for spent parts of fireworks on the morning after.
Nuts & Seeds
Serious poisoning can occur from ingesting certain nuts and seeds but is fairly rare. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain but also drooling and advice from your veterinarian should be sought immediately. Conkers, common in the Autumn, have a toxic compound called Aesculin and depending on the quantity ingested can cause a range of symptoms including tremors, lethargy and collapse. Exposure to acorns is also incredibly common during the autumn and winter months and the toxic compound is thought to be tannic acid, which can cause damage to the liver and kidneys. Symptoms to look out for include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and lethargy. Green acorns contain the highest amounts of tannins and are more poisonous than brown ones. As well as being poisonous these nuts and seeds can also cause intestinal blockages which may require surgery to remove.
Seasonal Canine Illness This disease became really prevalent in 2010 and has been intensively studied since. It is a relatively rare illness that appears to affect dogs during the Autumn months, especially those who have walked in woodland areas. Cases of this mystery illness are generally seen between August and November and can affect dogs of any size, shape or sex and it causes dogs to become very ill, very quickly. Symptoms include rapid onset sickness, diarrhoea, lethargy, muscle tremors and high temperature typically experienced within 72 hours of the walk. If you suspect your dog is showing signs of Seasonal Canine Illness then contact your vet immediately.
Chocolate Halloween and Chocolate, there is no getting away from it, but remember chocolate contains a substance called theobromine and it's that which is toxic to pets. The amount of theobromine differs depending on the type of chocolate. As a stimulant, it has an effect on the heart, central nervous system and kidneys and symptoms often occur from 4-24 hours following ingestion you are likely to see vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness & panting due to pain and discomfort, increased thirst, potentially hyperactivity, excessive urination, rapid breathing & heart rate, muscle tension, incoordination, and even tremors and/or seizures. If your dog is suspected of eating chocolate or any other toxic substance, call your vet immediately to begin treatment as soon as possible.
Birch Sugar/ Xylitol This is an ingredient often found in sugar-free chewing gum & sweets and some other sugar-free/low-sugar products as well. As Halloween is just around the corner, be aware of what your pet can access during the holiday season. Xylitol is a sugar substitute which is naturally sweet and reduces the need for other sugar additives in products to produce a sweet flavour, however, it is extremely toxic to pets and can have serious consequences if ingested. Diabetic products in particular often use this substance, so well worth noting. Signs of poisoning can be rapid or delayed, but it is highly recommended to never wait for symptoms to appear before seeking veterinary help as it could be dangerous and put your pet's life at risk. In most cases, symptoms will start to appear within 30 minutes but can take up to 12 hours to develop in some cases and these symptoms include disorientation, vomiting, lethargy, collapse, seizures, tremors even coma.
Fungus Wild-growing mushrooms, most of us know they can be highly toxic to people, it is the same for pets. Not all are but even fungi experts often find it quite difficult to differentiate between different fungus species so if you suspect your pet to have eaten any, it's best to go straight to a vet and try to safely package and take a sample of the fungus with you in a paper bag or napkin rather than plastic (as it causes deterioration of the sample). If a sample isn't possible a good photograph of the side, top and underneath could be beneficial. Take note of where the fungus was found (woodland, on bark, on a tree, on grass, under a hedge) as they all contain clues to the species of fungus and help experts identify it. Some types of mushrooms may only cause a minor stomach upset, but some can be deadly and the time varies with symptom onset from minutes to even weeks (in rare cases) after! It's best to try and avoid any fungus in the wild.
Blue-Green Algae A growth found in lakes/lochs and ponds most frequently, it is a cyanobacterium which produces a neurotoxin that can be fatal to pets if ingested. This type of algae growth can still be prevalent in certain areas well into Autumn and is always worth keeping your eyes peeled for contaminated water sources and signs around the area indicating its presence. If your pets drink from contaminated water sources or you believe they may have, seek veterinary assistance right away. Symptoms are usually rapid onset from 15 minutes to 1 hour after swimming or drinking from a source with this algae present. You may see signs such as drooling, respiratory distress, breathing difficulties, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, collapse, seizures even unconsciousness.
Antifreeze As the colder nights creep in this time of year, we see the rise of antifreeze being used, but it contains an extremely dangerous chemical for pets called Ethylene glycol. The chemical has quite a sweet taste to it and is thus very palatable and attractive to cats and dogs alike and even a very small quantity can cause serious kidney damage and be fatal. Symptoms include incoordination, drooling, tremors, seizures, excessive urination and thirst, and slower heart rate are all first signs of potential antifreeze poisoning you could see within the first 30 minutes to 12 hours, post 12 hours you may see rapid breathing, respiratory distress, low urine output and increased heart rate. At the first suspicion of antifreeze poisoning, head straight to the vet for immediate treatment for your pet.
Fallen Fruit & Rotting Fruit Harvest time is the time for fruits to ripen and drop to the floor and collection to begin - for people! A number of fruits though, especially as they rot and gather mould and begin to ferment can actually be quite harmful to our pets. Some seeds, pips and fruit stones (apples, cherries, plums etc.) contain toxins that can make your dog ill even when they are ripe and best to gather all fallen fruit in your garden area and be mindful of such things when out and about with your pets.
Spring Bulbs Definitely keep a close eye on your pets whilst planting out your bulbs for next season and even afterwards if you have a digging enthusiast in the family. Some bulbs such as Daffodil, Tulip and Spring Crocus bulbs are all toxic and can make your dog pretty poorly. Bulbs often have a higher concentration of the toxin than fully formed plants so definitely something to keep out of reach. If you have areas of garden your pets can't go, it's highly recommended to plant those there where they can't come to any harm. What these toxins do to your dog can vary depending on what type of bulb has been eaten, but most cause gastric symptoms such as pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, drooling & excess salivation, fast heart rate, rapid breathing and in some cases seizures. Stay safe this Autumn folks and keep a beady eye on your curious and foraging pets!
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