Their Paws In Safe Hands

11/01/2023

⚠️Oxygen absorbing sachets⚠️

These sachets are commonly included in the packaging of foodstuffs as a preservative, including both human foodstuff and pet treats, and therefore they are often ingested accidently.

These sachets usually contain iron, either as metallic iron filings or ferrous carbonate, but may also contain activated charcoal and small quantities of salt. They are often not labelled with details of their contents or weight. They are distinct from desiccant sachets, usually contained within leather or electrical goods, which usually contain either silica gel or less commonly calcium chloride.

Whilst iron is a potentially toxic compound, we fortunately rarely see severe cases following ingestion of these sachets in pets. The iron contained within them is not well absorbed when eaten, and the volumes are usually small. Iron is, however, irritating to the gut and gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and diarrhoea are relatively common, though in many of the cases reported to us, animals remain well.

📞If your pet has ingested an oxygen absorber and you are worried, please contact Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000📞

24/12/2022

Princess Willow and I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a very happy new year.

02/10/2022

⚠️DOGS and CHEWING GUM⚠️

Sadly we have had a lot of calls this week where dogs have become unwell after ingesting sugar-free chewing gum.

Sugar-free gum often contains large amounts of an artificial sweetener called xylitol. Just one or two pieces may be enough to make a dog seriously ill.

The xylitol in chewing gum can cause a crash in blood sugar levels leading to neurological signs, and can also affect the liver.

If your dog has ingested sugar-free gum, prompt veterinary advice is essential. Owners should call us for advice on the Animal PoisonLine 01202 509000. For detailed treatment advice, vets should call our dedicated professional line on 0207 3055 055.

28/09/2022

💊Diclofenac💊

Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used for the management of pain.

If ingested, diclofenac will commonly cause gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and diarrhoea (which may be bloody), lethargy and inappetence. If an animal has been exposed to a large volume, there is a risk of kidney impairment.

Even a very small amount of diclofenac could be enough to cause complications and it is essential that treatment is provided to reduce the risk of complications.

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

24/09/2022

21/09/2022

☎️When should owners call Animal PoisonLine?☎️

The Animal PoisonLine is a triage service for owners.

We can help decide if a pet needs to go to the vet after an exposure to a toxic agent. However sometimes it is not appropriate to wait for advice over the phone and a pet may need urgent care regardless of the underlying cause. If the pet is showing signs of being very unwell or is displaying any of the signs below, they should be taken straight to the vet. Examples include -

⚠️Breathing difficulties (including open mouth breathing/panting in cats)
⚠️ Recurrent seizure activity
⚠️Severe pain
⚠️Loss of consciousness
⚠️Adder bites

In these situations, If a toxic agent is suspected and advice is required, veterinary professionals should call us on 0207 3055 055

20/09/2022

Meet Leonard😍

Leonard is a gorgeous 8 month old English Pointer who's owner recently called Animal PoisonLine after he got hold of a tube of a suspected petroleum distillate-based product. Although he was slightly subdued and quiet at the time of the call, we are so pleased to report that he was back to his normal self the next day!

Petroleum distillates are complex chemical mixtures derived from the distillation of crude oil. Examples include petrol, diesel, paraffin, solvents for paints, engine oils and barbeque lighter fluid. Prolonged skin contact with these products can cause rashes and burns, and ingestion can cause drooling and vomiting.

Another potential concern with petroleum distillates 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.

☎️Owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 for triage advice. Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207305 5055☎️

16/09/2022

Thomas (black & white)and Tinkerbell (tortoiseshell) had me being thier slave again recently. Sometimes Thomas is nowhere to be seen but this time he came running over everytime he saw my car pull up. Tinkerbell was her usual adorable self, enjoying lots of fuss and cuddles.

14/09/2022

💐Lilies💐

At this sad time we know that lilies are very commonly chosen as a floral tribute for funeral flowers. This is just a gentle reminder that lilies pose a life threatening risk to cats.

⚠️It is not just the pollen of lilies that cause kidney injury . Experimental evidence has shown that leaves and petals are also toxic, and it is likely that the whole plant is a risk if eaten by a cat⚠️

If you have a cat, keep them safe and avoid all lilies (Lilium species) and day lilies (Hemerocallis species) in your home and garden.

12/09/2022

This beautiful little girl is Tinkerbell, an older lady who I have looked after before. She really is such a sweetie and absolutely no bother at all. She enjoys being outside, a fuss and eating her food. I was always greeted warmly at the door when I arrived.

12/09/2022

🌰🌳 Oak toxicity 🌳🌰

Due to the lack of rainfall and high summer temperatures we have all seen recently, it is no surprise that we have been in a 'false autumn' and therefore noticed a lot of trees dropping their leaves much earlier than usual. Due to this, we are receiving a large volume of calls regarding Quercus species, commonly known as oak.

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.

11/09/2022

V***e & Cliquot are two beautiful girls who either love or hate thier photos being taken. As you can see V***e did not like being photo bombed. Cliquot generally pulls a very grumpy face when the camera comes out but I persevere and eventually get nice pictures. 😁

10/09/2022

Be more like a cat.

09/09/2022

I have looked after Donut for quite a little while now. His owners were always worried about the presents he may bring in for me. I was obviously not worthy of such gifts as none were deposited for a long time. I am now honoured enough to have recieved a few during the last couple of visits to him. Thank you Donut. 😁

08/09/2022

08/09/2022

I had the honour of looking after these beautiful rabbits for a few days. All of them lovely and each with thier own unique personality. Willow is the cheeky lady who likes to boss Pip around. Millie, tri colour, is a bit more nervous than Leon but both are suckers for a meadow loop...as seen in the image of them climbing on my leg. 😁 so lovely to see them again.

05/09/2022

Sir Bert is so humble despite his noble heritage, it is always an honour to serve him. He gets his fuss, his food and then gets to work inspecting his grounds before relaxing on the patio.😁

04/09/2022

😴 Benzodiazepines 😴

Benzodiazepines are a class of medication used commonly in both human and veterinary medicine. They are commonly prescribed for their sedative and hypnotic effects, but are also used as anticonvulsants and anxiolytics.

If you suspect your pet has ingested an overdose and is otherwise well in themselves, we recommend contacting Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000. Please ensure that you have an up to date weight for your pet as well as the exact details on the medication (strength, number of tablets ingested and time since ingestion) so that the team can ascertain whether or not further treatment is required with your vets.

For veterinary professionals requiring assistance with a case, please call VPIS on 0207 3055 055.