Happy Easter..?

Easter eggs and hot cross buns are delicious Easter indulgences for us humans, but they can be deadly to dogs.  Read our advice on how to have a happy Easter without a visit to us over the holiday weekend...

The most important items to keep well away from your much-loved dog are:

• Chocolate Easter Eggs - highly toxic to pets

• Hot Cross Buns - raisins, sultanas, currants and grapes can all can cause fatal kidney failure in dogs

• Spring bulbs and plants  - some are poisonous to dogs

Chocolate Easter eggs

Chocolate Easter eggs contain a chemical called ‘theobromine’, which is toxic to dogs.  Even small amounts of chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, heart problems, hyperactivity and in severe cases death. 

The darker the chocolate, the more potent the level of theobromine, and the more poisonous it is – but giving any type of chocolate to dogs must be avoided.  Even white chocolate, although it doesn't contain enough theobromine, is fatty and can pose a potential risk of upset tummies and even pancreatitis. 

Top Tip: Some shops can sell dog-friendly Easter eggs and Easter dog treats, but make sure that you feed these in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Hot Cross Buns

Hot cross buns which contain dried fruit, such as currants, sultanas and raisins, are all toxic to dogs.  Even if your dog eats a small quantity of these dried fruits (and grapes), they can suffer severe kidney failure.

Spring Bulbs & Plants

Daffodils and other narcissus, are poisonous to dogs if they eat the bulbs or flowers, or even drink water from a vase with daffodils in.  They can give your dog an upset stomach, make them vomit, and make them very sleepy and wobbly.  They may also have fits.

Amaryllis can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain and tremors.

Hyacinths (both the flowers and bulbs) can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and tremors in dogs. 

Tulips can irritate your dog’s mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Normally they will only experience drooling, being sick and diarrhoea, but heart problems and difficulty breathing are also signs of tulip poisoning.

It's best to keep all house plants out of reach, and to watch to make sure your dog is not eating anything nasty out on walks.  Common poisonous plants that you might see in spring include: azalea, bluebells, foxgloves, crocus and rhododendrons.

What should I do if I think my dog has been poisoned?

CALL US straight away for advice if you think your dog has been poisoned by something.  DON'T WAIT for symptoms to appear..!

Common signs of poisoning in dogs include:

• vomiting

• diarrhoea

• hyperactivity or restlessness

• tremors

• seizures or fits

It’s extremely helpful if you keep any packaging and write down the details of anything you think your dog has ingested, when they ate or drank it, how much they have swallowed, and what symptoms they are experiencing.

We'd like to wish all our clients and pets a 

Happy (and Safe) Easter holiday.

Turkey, Tinsel & Toxins..!