As Autumn gets closer, it is important to be aware of the seasonal risks to our pets. Below are some common items to familiarise yourselves with at this time of year.

Environmental

Mushrooms and Toadstools. Fungi produce fruit bodies (mushrooms and toadstools) when the weather is wet and mild so Autumn is the perfect time. There are thousands of mushroom species and the signs they cause can vary hugely dependent on which species is ingested. These can range from gastrointestinal signs to hallucinations, behaviour changes and in severe cases, kidney and liver failure. Expert knowledge is needed to help identify the mushroom therefore how at risk your pet is. If a sample of the mushroom can be safely collected at the time and/or photos taken of the location it was growing including the top and underneath of the mushroom this will allow the most information to be provided. Please remember to wash hands after any handling of the mushroom yourself.

Acorns, conkers and berries can cause gastrointestinal upset if scavenged by our pets. Signs can include vomiting, diarrhoea, reduced appetite and abdominal pain. Acorns may also cause an itchy rash and swelling of the lips or around the eyes. An additional risk to their ingestion is that their shape and size (particularly conkers) may cause an intestinal blockage.

Spring Bulbs. It is the time of year where daffodils, tulips and snowdrops are planted. To avoid ingestion and possible gastrointestinal upset ensure they are stored safely and your pets are kept away during planting.

Halloween and Bonfire Night

Mild and dark chocolate is toxic to pets as it contains Theobromine. The higher the cocoa content in chocolate, the more theobromine it contains and the more toxic it is. Signs include vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain , but with high doses can progress to neurological signs, such as seizures. Xylitol is a sweetener found in many sweets including marshmallows. Xylitol can cause a blood sugar levels to drop to dangerous levels and in some patients cause liver failure.

Fireworks, sparklers and glow sticks. Unused fireworks contain several components including fuel and colouring agents, if chewed they may cause gastrointestinal toxicity. Used fireworks however are unlikely to be an issue as the chemical components have been used up during the display. Sparklers can also cause gastrointestinal upset but of course also be cautious when using around pets due to their burn and fire risk! Glow sticks and other glow-in-the-dark toys are more available around this time of year, the fluid inside is bitter and if chewed may cause distress, hypersalivation and vomiting in our pets. The signs are usually very transient and if safe to do so, washing the mouth out can help.

If you are worried that your pet has eaten something dangerous please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can assess the risk and make the best plan for you and your pet. Contact us on 01606 880890 or 01606 717969