A small animal independent veterinary surgery, Mrs Darling opened the surgery in May 2001. Our team is 3 vets and 7 nurses all fully qualified and registered
(4)
Our aim is to provide a personal and caring service in a professional and up to date setting .
********** 10th June is fast approaching *********
The UK Government has made it compulsory to microchip your cat by 10th June 2024.
The new law will make it easier for lost or stray cats to be reunited with their owners.
Cats MUST be microchipped before they reach the age of 20 weeks.
RAPESEED!
It’s that time of year again where farmers fields have blossomed into pretty yellow flowers, these plants are called rapeseed. Although it may be tempting to place your dog in the midst to take a scenic photo, please avoid this at all costs!
Rapeseed is extremely poisonous for dogs.
Rapeseed is listed by Dogs Trust as toxic to our dogs if ingested and can cause symptoms such as:
❌Haemolytic Anaemia
❌ Blindness
❌ Damaged Nervous System
❌ Digestive Disorders
❌ Breathing Problems
Please seek immediate veterinary attention if your dog shows any signs of rapeseed poisoning!
The UK Government has made it compulsory to microchip your cat by 10th June 2024.
The new law will make it easier for lost or stray cats to be reunited with their owners.
Cats MUST be microchipped before they reach the age of 20 weeks.
Mrs Darling and her Team would like to wish all our clients and their pets a Happy New Year.
We are now closed until Tuesday 2nd Jan 2024
If you require emergency care or advice please contact
South Downs Emergency Vets on 01243 978800
Or
Vets Now Portsmouth on 023 9217 0056
Mrs Darling and her Team would like to wish all our clients and their pets a Very Merry Christmas.
We are now closed until Wednesday 27th December.
If you require emergency care or advice please contact
South Downs Emergency Vets on 01243 978800
Or
Vets Now Portsmouth on 023 9217 0056
⭐Next up on the penultimate week of our A-Z pet poisoning campaign is the letter Y⭐
Yeast, which comes in brewer and baker forms, is a common ingredient in food, home baking, supplements and is used to produce beer and bread. Yeast itself is of low toxicity but ingestion and exposure to yeasts can occasionally cause some local irritation and reactions causing redness, itching and red welts. When large amounts are consumed, gastrointestinal signs are commonly seen, presenting as vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence, and a sore abdomen which occasionally may require supportive care from a veterinarian if signs are severe or persistent.
Cases can be more complex and serious when uncooked dough containing yeast is ingested due to the physical expansion of the bread causing distention and obstruction, but also due to the production of ethanol created in the process. It is also common to add other ingredients to baking goods including chocolate, raisins and xylitol which can also cause toxicity in pets.
☎️ Pet owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000
🤳 Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055
⭐Next up on our A-Z pet poisoning campaign is the letter X⭐
Xylitol is a sweetener that can be found in many products marketed as ‘sugar-free’. It is most commonly found in chewing gums, but can also be an ingredient in some baked goods, peanut butters, ice creams and chewable/sweetened medications.
So far this year, we have taken 560 calls involving xylitol.
It is important to stress that a small quantity of xylitol can cause significant complications in dogs and we recommend that advice is sought after any exposure.
☎️ Pet owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000
🤳 Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055
⭐A-Z of pet poisoning - W⭐
We commonly receive enquiries about pets that have ingested washing capsules - in 2022 we took over 170 calls regarding them.
Washing capsules contain detergents which are irritating to the gastrointestinal tract and can cause salivation, foaming at the mouth and vomiting, as well as abdominal discomfort and ulceration within the mouth. Another risk concern with detergents is aspiration pneumonia, which can develop secondary to ingestion. This is when fluid is inhaled into the lungs (commonly vomit) and can cause coughing, choking and breathing difficulties.
☎️ Pet owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000
🤳 Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055
A local referral is looking for Blood Donors
We have been notified that a poisonous plant is being used as decoration in a pot plant that can be purchased in garden centres and possibly florists.
The pot plant is Livistona rotundifolia (footstool palm; also known as Saribus rotundifolius) and pots of these plants are decorated with three fibrous balls. The balls are the skeletonised fruit of Cerbera odollam (su***de tree, pong-pong). Within each fruit is a kernel that is extremely toxic; a single kernel can be fatal if eaten and poses a risk to both pets and people. The toxic compounds in Cerbera odollam are cardiac glycosides, which are also found in foxglove, oleander, lily of the valley and other plants.
If you have these fibrous fruits in your pot plant, remove them and dispose of them safely. It you are worried your pet may have eaten the plant material contact Animal PoisonLine (01202 509 000)or your vet immediately.
⭐A-Z of pet poisoning - V⭐
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin and is well tolerated in overdose. After ingestion of high doses, vitamin C can sometimes cause diarrhoea, but most animals remain well after ingestion.
Vitamin C is commonly found in multivitamin preparations, and there may be other vitamins and minerals within these products that may pose a risk, including vitamin D and iron. Additionally, some vitamin and multivitamin products also contain the sugar substitute xylitol, which is toxic to dogs and can cause hypoglycaemia (a decrease in blood glucose) and liver failure.
☎️ Pet owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000
🤳 Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055
⭐Next up on our A-Z pet poisoning campaign is the letter V⭐
The growing awareness of the importance of vitamin D has led many people to turn to supplements, either as tablets, capsules or in spray form. Chronic (repeat) or exceptionally high doses of vitamin D, such as certain prescription creams, may lead to an increased frequency of drinking and urination, muscle spasms and high calcium levels, resulting in many serious issues. However, most vitamin preparations bought over the counter, do not contain sufficient vitamin D, normally labelled in International Units (IU), or micrograms (μg or mcg) even if your pet eats a large number.
A higher risk would be the newer spray preparations. If one of these bottles is chewed by a dog, there is the potential for an overdose of vitamin D; an additional problem would be xylitol exposure, the artificial sugar used in most spray supplement formulations, which is toxic to dogs.
If you suspect your pet has ingested any vitamin D preparation, call your vet with as much information as possible about the strength of vitamin D involved or product name, or alternatively call Animal PoisonLine for a risk assessment to determine whether or not your pet needs to be seen by a vet. (01202 509 000 charges apply).
☎️ Pet owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000
🤳 Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055
⚠️It has been brought to our attention that there is a newly released film titled 'Anatomy of a Fall' (Original title: Anatomie d'une chute) that is currently being screened in cinemas across the UK⚠️
During the film, a dog is intentionally administered human medications and then subsequently given salt water to induce vomiting.
We want to stress how dangerous this can be to animals.
These methods can cause further toxicity, which may worsen the animal's condition and can lead to severe effects.
Inducing vomiting should ONLY be carried out by a veterinary professional in a safe environment where the animal's condition can be monitored, should any complications arise.
⭐Next up on our A-Z pet poisoning campaign is the letter U⭐
Umbrella plant (Schefflera species) is a widely grown houseplant and is sometimes also known as an umbrella tree.
Umbrella plants are a perennial, evergreen shrub which can grow up to 2 metres high. The leaves are pale to dark green, but can sometimes they can be variegated with yellow.
Umbrella plants contain oxalates but are considered to be of low toxicity. If ingested, cats and dogs may develop some gastrointestinal upset with vomiting, diarrhoea and inappetence. In rabbits and rodents, after ingestion there may be inappetence and diarrhoea. These signs are usually self-limiting, and pets can usually be managed at home.
Be careful seeking information on the risks of pets from plants. Other species of plants may also have ‘umbrella’ in their common name, such as Cyperus alternifolius (umbrella palm).
(Pictured is a Schefflera Palma)
☎️ Pet owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000
🤳 Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055
⭐A-Z of pet poisoning - T⭐
Each year, we recieve lots of calls about animals who have played with, licked or carried a frog or toad in their mouth. Frogs in the UK are not a cause for concern, but toads can be a problem. There are two types of toad in the UK; Bufo toads release venom from glands on their skin, and Bombina toads have irritating substances on their skin. Both may cause clinical signs such as:
- Drooling
- Foaming/frothing at the mouth
- Vomiting
- Pawing at the mouth
Most of the time this will resolve within a few hours without further issues, but rarely the Bufo toad can cause more serious clinical signs.
☎️ Pet owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000
🤳 Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055
⭐A-Z of pet poisoning - S⭐
We receive a large number of calls each year regarding the ingestion of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications.
SSRI's can cause a range of clinical effects in our pets if ingested, and so it is essential to be aware of the risks and keep them out of reach.
☎️ Pet owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000
🤳 Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055
⭐Next up on our A-Z pet poisoning campaign is the letter S⭐
Salbutamol is a common medication used for asthma and COPD, and inhalers may be readily accessible to pets in the home.
We handle lots of cases where dogs chew and pierce these inhalers, which can cause significant signs. In this situation, a large dose of the drug is released, causing changes to the heart rate and blood potassium levels. The heart rate may increase dramatically, requiring urgent intervention. Pets may also be vomiting, lethargic or restless, and panting. Injury to the mouth may occur due to the release of compressed gas.
If your pet has chewed and pierced a salbutamol inhaler, we advise taking your pet to see your vet immediately.
🤳 Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055
⭐A-Z of pet poisoning - R⭐
Rhododendrons are medium to large evergreen shrubs with spectacular flowers. They are very popular garden plants.
To date, we have helped with 761 cases of rhododendron ingestion including 499 dogs, 83 cats, 37 rabbits, 14 horses, 6 cows, 59 goats, 5 alpacas and a llama!
All parts of these plants contain grayanotoxins. These toxins can cause gastrointestinal upset, weakness , tremors and effects on heart rate. In severe cases there may be further neurological signs and blood pressure disturbances.
The prognosis following ingestion is good with prompt supportive care. If you have a case of rhododendron ingestion we recommend calling us for advice.
☎️ Pet owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000
🤳 Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055
⭐Next up on our A-Z pet poisoning campaign is the letter R⭐
Rodenticides
There are many different types of rodenticide with varying mechanisms of toxicity. Some can cause rapid onset clinical signs; for others, signs may be hours or days later. Although often brightly coloured, its not possible to identify the type of rodenticide from visual appearance.
🐭Anticoagulants - these baits interfere with blood clotting mechanism. Signs of toxicity develop 3 -5 days after ingestion and are related to bleeding problems. There are several different anticoagulants – all with different toxic doses. They are not all the same!
🐭Alphachloralose - Often coloured green and may have the word ‘rapid’ in the name. Signs of poisoning usually occur within 2 hours of ingestion, including drowsiness, disorientation, collapse, breathing difficulty, coma and convulsions. Toxic in relatively small quantities.
🐭Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D) – significantly threatens dogs and cats in small quantities. Available for professional use only, brand names are Selontra® and Harmonix®. Rapidly absorbed after ingestion, and can cause a dangerous elevation in blood calcium leading to neurological signs, heart problems and kidney failure.
🐭Plant based – made from food grade plant material compressed into pellets. Over time it disrupts water absorption from the rodent digestive tract. It is of low toxicity to dogs and cats but there may be gastrointestinal upset and also a risk of obstruction.
☎️ Pet owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000
🤳 Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055
Fire work night is fast approaching,
Please call the surgery to speak to one of the nurses if your dog is scared, there are supplements and medications available.
Below is the Half Wrap, all you need is a scarf and to follow the instructions.
Also Classic FM are doing a special pet programme on Bonfire night
⭐A-Z of pet poisoning - Q⭐
Quetiapine is used in the treatment of schizophrenia in people. It is not used in animals but may be accidentally eaten by pets. Depending on the amount taken quetiapine can cause drowsiness or agitation, tremor, and increased heart rate. These effects usually start within a few hours of ingestion and pets may require veterinary care.
Always keep this medicine out of the reach of your pet.
☎️ Pet owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000
🤳 Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055
⭐Next up on our A - Z of pet poisoning is the letter Q ⭐
Quercus (Oak)
Oaks are large deciduous trees, of which there are many common species in Europe including Quercus robur (Common oak, Pedunculate oak) and Quercus petraea (Sessile oak). The flowers from these trees are seen from April to May, and the fruits are green to green-brown or brown acorns with cream flesh turning brown on exposure to air. The acorns ripen from August onwards.
Oak contains tannic acid, and ingestion may cause gastrointestinal and less commonly kidney and liver effects. These latter effects are more commonly seen in grazing animals. In dogs there is also a potential risk of obstruction of the gut from ingestion of acorns.
📞If your pet may have ingested Oak including acorns, contact Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000.
📞Veterinary professionals can contact VPIS on 0207 305 5055 for detailed treatment advice.
⭐Next up on our A-Z pet poisoning campaign is the letter P⭐
Paracetamol is a readily available over-the-counter painkiller. Overdose of paracetamol in pets can cause toxic effects, leading to issues such as anaemia and liver damage. There may also be swelling of the face and paws and breathing difficulties. Cats are very susceptible to paracetamol poisoning as they cannot break it down. Due to the easy availability of paracetamol in homes, ingestion of paracetamol in pets is sadly a common occurrence.
Some dogs are more at risk of paracetamol toxicity if they are malnourished or on certain medications. Treating paracetamol ingestion in pets may include administering an antidote and medicine to protect the liver.
Never give your cat paracetamol and only give your dog paracetamol if advised to do so by your vet. Store your medicines securely and always keep them out of the reach of your pet.
☎️ Pet owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000
🤳 Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055
⭐A-Z of pet poisoning - O⭐
Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots and chives all belong to the same group, known as Allium species. They can cause toxicity in animals even when cooked.
The onset of signs of Allium toxicity is variable and can take days. Initial signs include inappetence, vomiting and diarrhoea but can progress to signs associated with anaemia as the red blood cells become damaged. These signs may include lethargy, weakness, pale mucous membranes, bruising and an increased heart rate.
☎️ Pet owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000
🤳 Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055
254 Main Road, Southbourne
Emsworth
PO108JJ
| Monday | 8:30am - 5:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am - 5:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am - 5:30pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am - 5:30pm |
| Friday | 8:30am - 5:30pm |
| Saturday | 8:30am - 12pm |
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