Happy Hounds

07/11/2024

Some find it so scary and get so stressed. This information from Dog First Aid - Sussex is very helpful and well worth a read.

31/10/2024

Good advice!

31/10/2024

As is on a Tuesday this year, firework displays are spread across this weekend and next. We know this is a stressful time for many pet owners, so our vets have put together their top tips on helping anxious pets keep calm 🎆

Our free Firework Guide will help you make sure you've got everything covered for your pet: http://pdsa.me/pFGd

[Visual description: Infographic which has seven tips to help pets cope with fireworks. Each tip is next to a small picture related to the point. Tips include: make a den, play music and sounds, keep pets inside, pheromone plug-in, close doors, curtains and door flaps, cats feel safer up high, and if your pet seeks reassurance, comfort them normally.]

18/10/2024

Very good advise.

18/10/2024

We are very lucky to have these people looking after our pets. These people don’t know us from Adam but the love of dogs spreads near and far. So thank you to Canine First Aid and PDSA. Just so much to be aware of in and out of our homes.
Christmas info coming. Thank you guys keep info coming.

We're in the height of autumn now, and with a new season comes new hazards for our four-legged friends ⚠️

From woodland walks to Halloween-themed fun, keep a close eye on your furry companions this autumn!

What else would you add to this list? 👇

[Visual description: An infographic showing different autumn hazards for pets. This includes dark mornings and nights with images of clouds and a moon. Compost next to a green compost bin. Poisonous plants next to purple and yellow plant. Harvest mites with a picture of a brown mite. Mushrooms with a picture of a red toadstool mushroom. Fireworks with an image of fireworks in a box. Conkers next to an image of a conker. Halloween treats next to a pumpkin basket with lots of sweets in it. Adverse weather next to an image of a cloud and lightening bolts. Rubbish in leaves next to leaves and a warning sign. Fallen fruit next to a rotting apple and pear. Antifreeze next to a jerry can with a snowflake on it.]

18/10/2024

More toxic information!

🍁 AUTUMNAL TOXIC PLANTS FOR DOGS 🍁
A particular concern for dog owners is whether their autumn garden is harbouring plants that could be poisonous to their pets. Most people are unaware of the plants that could be dangerous and even potentially fatal to our dogs.

Here are 6 of the most harmful autumn plants:
🔸 Hydrangeas: The bulbs of these plants are highly toxic to pets, as they contain cyanide. Although serious cases of poisoning are rare they can cause stomach problems, vomiting and intestinal blockages.
🔸 Yew Trees: The needles and seeds of a yew tree are extremely poisonous to most animals. Eating just the leaves can lead to dangerous consequences (even leading to death in severe cases). The leaves are easily identifiable, so you should be able to spot them. If you have a pet that likes to run free around your garden, it’s best to avoid planting this.
🔸 Horse Chestnut Trees: Be cautious around Horse Chestnut trees from September onwards. The tree bark, leaves, flowers and conkers can all be fatal to animals if consumed. It can cause gastrointestinal distress, disorientation, spasms and even death.
🔸 Autumn Crocuses: These flowers might be outwardly beautiful, but they can be toxic if dogs get too close. If ingested they can cause general gastrointestinal upset including drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea. These flowers also bloom in Spring.
🔸 Amaryllis: All parts are toxic to cats and dogs, but especially the bulbs. Also present in winter.
🔸 Chrysanthemum: All parts of the plant are toxic, although the smell is likely to deter dogs and cats.

18/10/2024

Please make sure your children are aware of this. It’s great fun playing with conkers and of course we don’t want to stop our children having fun, but they need to be aware of the dangers.

🍁 AUTUMN DOG ADVICE - CONKERS 🍁
On autumn walks your dog may come across conkers that have fallen from a horse chestnut tree, but these shiny seeds are poisonous to dogs!

WHAT IS A CONKER?
A conker is a shiny, round, red-brown seed from a horse chestnut tree. Conkers are often found on the ground in autumn after dropping from the tree encased in a green or brown spiky fruit.

HOW MANY DOES A DOG HAVE TO EAT?
The amount of toxin in each conker is different, so it’s impossible to know the amount of conkers that your dog would need to eat to make them unwell.

Conkers actually taste quite bitter, so it’s unlikely that most dogs will eat enough to make them very ill. But if enough is eaten it can produce more serious effects, and in rare cases can be deadly.

How your dog is affected by this toxin will also depend on their size, when they last ate, how much they chew up the conker and if they have any other health issues.

OTHER RISKS
Poisoning is not the only risk from these seeds. Conkers are large and hard and could cause your dog to choke on them or could block their stomach or gut.

HOW CAN I PREVENT THIS?
If your dog is prone to eating conkers, then keep them on a lead when going for autumn walks (especially in areas where you know there are conker trees). When walking near ‘conker trees’, bring along a ball or a chew toy to help keep their mouths occupied.

WHEN SHOULD I CALL THE VET?
If your dog has eaten conkers, then you should contact your vet for advice. If you’re unsure whether your dog has eaten them, but they’re showing signs of poisoning, then you should speak to your vet. Never try to make your dog sick as this can be dangerous and may cause other problems.

10/10/2024

Thank you Kathy for educating us on this subject.

08/10/2024

Not to long now before the main event. If you have a new puppy now is the time to prepare them.

Fireworks season can be particularly stressful for dogs. It's a great idea to get prepared and make fireworks season more manageable and enjoyable for both you and your pooch ❇️👉 https://bit.ly/3NgpGXh

[Image description: An infographic for dog owners to help prepare their dogs for fireworks. It include advice such as; planning ahead and finding out when local displays are happening, adjusting your schedule so you can walk and feed them before any fireworks start, talk to your vet ASAP so they can offer you advice and plan for a cosy night in with a safe space for your dog.]

01/10/2024

I see many sorts whilst walking the dogs.
There is many things to be looking out for!

26/09/2024

Seizures are frightening so it helps to know how to support our dogs during and after the seizure.

Seizures is one of the subjects we discuss in our workshops, providing lots of facts, information and advice.

It’s a difficult scenario and goes against your instincts of wanting to talk to and stroke your dog.

21/09/2024

As we get ready to welcome the new season, we also welcome some autumnal hazards for our furry friends. But, could you spot a poisonous plant before them? 👀

During this time, when the summer blooms turn to autumn leaves, many plants and trees start to produce berries and nuts, which can be both tempting and toxic for pets.

It’s important to be able to recognise those hidden toxic plants so you and your pet can keep away from them ⚠️

Here’s a handy list from our vets, to help you spot some of the most common ones to look out for!

[Visual description: An infographic that outlines which autumn flowers and plants are poisonous to pets. This includes; Ragwort, horse chestnut, amaryllis, autumn crocus, yew, chrysanthemum, rowan and hydrangeas.]

21/09/2024

Always something to look out for on a walk.

As we head into the autumn, we receive lots of enquiries regarding acorns and oak trees (Quercus species).

Ingestion of acorns by dogs is common during the autumn months. Following a large, one off ingestion of acorns, vomiting and diarrhoea may occur in dogs, both of which may be bloody. Lethargy, abdominal tenderness and inappetence can also be seen and there is also the risk of gastrointestinal obstruction. There have been reports of kidney and liver damage following substantial or repeat ingestion of both acorns and the plant itself, a scenario more commonly seen in horses and ruminants.

Oak toxicity predominantly affects grazing species such as cattle, horses and sheep, but it can affect dogs and cats too.

Oak toxicity can cause:
❗ Gastrointestinal signs (such as vomiting, diarrhoea, colic)
❗ Inappetence
❗ Gastrointestinal obstruction (particularly if a large number of acorns have been ingested)
❗ Kidney and liver impairment (reported in a small number of cases involving dogs, horses and ruminants)

📞If you suspect your pet has been exposed to oak, call the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 for advice. Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055.

18/09/2024

So true!

18/09/2024

Make sure your pups stay clear of these plants and trees while out on your autumnal walks!🍁🍂

12/09/2024

Thanks Kathy for the reminder. A first aid course will cover all these sorts of things.
Money well spent. You can’t put a price on the wellbeing of our family members.

Clearly prevention is best – please keep dogs well away. The pellets are mostly grain which dogs like to eat!

If you think your dog may have eaten some (any amount), or if you see any of these symptoms then you should consult your vet immediately.

29/08/2024

Feeding your dog straight after physical exercise can cause GDV. The recommended time is an hour either side.
Play safe!

GDV (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus), also known as bloat, gastric torsion or twisted gut, is an emergency and needs immediate veterinary attention. Please do not wait.

06/08/2024

🐾 FOOD ALLERGIES IN DOGS 🐾
Just like humans, dogs can develop allergies to the ingredients in their food. A food allergy is when a dog’s immune system reacts inappropriately to one or more of the ingredients in their diet, causing skin and/or tummy issues.

Dogs can develop allergies to any ingredients they have eaten before. They tend to be allergic to proteins (meat or dairy) — most commonly to ingredients used regularly in dog food such as beef, chicken, or lamb. Another ingredient dogs can be allergic to is wheat. Allergies in dogs can occur at any age but most commonly start when they are less than a year old.

🐾 WHEN TO CONTACT YOUR VET 🐾
You know your dog best, always contact your vet if you notice any of the symptoms above. There are many other conditions that can cause these symptoms as well as a food allergy and these problems can be very uncomfortable for your pet, even if they only happen some of the time.

After ruling out other possible causes, your vet may suggest a food trial. This involves feeding a veterinary diet with special ingredients or made in a specific way so your dog does not react to it. Your vet will recommend which diet to feed.

If a food allergy is well managed, your dog can live a perfectly normal life. Left untreated, food allergies can have a serious effect on your dog’s health and quality of life.