Tag: Dog Poisoning

Dog Owners Warned As Millions Of Pets Suffer Poisoning Harm

Dog owners need to be aware of a silent killer, often found in their own home, as 7.1 million cats and dogs have fallen ill after digesting something toxic, with one in nine pets poisoned last year. Over a quarter of dog owners (4.6 million people) and a fifth of cat owners (2.5 million) believe their pet has fallen ill after consuming something poisonous according to the study by Direct Line Pet Insurance.

Dog poisoning research: key findings

On average vets treat 323 dogs and 56 cats for poisoning every day across the UK
One in six (17 per cent) poisoned dog and cat owners believe their pet was poisoned deliberately
Claims data reveals Labradors, Cocker Spaniels and Poodle crossbreeds to be the three dog breeds most commonly poisoned over the last two years
4.6 million dog owners and 2.5 million cat owners believe their pet fell ill after consuming something poisonous, with one in nine pets being poisoned last year
On average vets treat 323 dogs and 56 cats for poisoning every day across the UK
One in six (17 per cent) poisoned dog and cat owners believe their pet was poisoned deliberately
Claims data reveals Labradors, Cocker Spaniels and Poodle crossbreeds to be the three dog breeds most commonly poisoned over the last two years

Dogs getting seriously ill by poisoning

The study revealed that three in four dogs (69 per cent or 3.2 million) that were poisoned became so unwell that they had to be taken to the vet and 342,000 (seven per cent) died as a result. More than three quarters (71 per cent or 1.8 million) of poisoned cats also had to be taken to the vet and 237,000 (nine per cent) subsequently died.

Vets estimate that nearly 120,000 dogs were treated for food or substance poisoning last year, equating to 323 dogs every day. Over 20,400 cats were treated in 2020 for poisoning – that’s 52 cats poisoned per day. Sadly, vets claim that these high levels of poisoning have remained consistent for the past three years with no indication of cases declining.

Deliberate poisoning of dogs and cats

Worryingly, half of dog and cat owners (49 per cent) whose pets were poisoned suspect it was done deliberately, with one in six (17 per cent) being certain that the poisoning was with intent. Family members are the main suspected culprits (17 per cent), closely followed by strangers (16 per cent) and neighbours (15 per cent).

Where dogs are being poisoned

The most common place that pet owners suspect their pet was poisoned is while on a walk with either them or a friend or family member (26 per cent).

This is followed by the garden (16 per cent) and while outside with a paid walker (15 per cent). Pets consuming something poisonous at home while supervised (eight per cent) and at home alone (seven per cent) complete the top five most common locations.

The vast majority (91 per cent) of pet insurance claims for poisonings are made for dogs. The dog breeds that have been most affected by poisoning over the past two years are Labradors (13 per cent), Cocker Spaniels (six per cent) and Poodle crossbreeds (three per cent). Golden Retrievers (three per cent) and Spaniel crossbreeds (three per cent) complete the top five.

Chocolate, grapes and onions: a common danger

Chocolate is listed as a main cause of dog poisoning by 91 per cent of vets. A further 54 per cent say grapes are a leading issue, while 51 per cent say medication can be a major source of poisoning.

One in seven (14 per cent) identified onions and 10 per cent said household items. In contrast, the main causes for cat poisoning are from outside the home.

More than half (54 per cent) of vets claim wildlife is one of the main causes of cat poisoning, with 40 per cent specifying lilies and 33 per cent saying plants and foliage were large contributors. Rat poison (29 per cent) and mouldy foods (17 per cent) were also listed as being very dangerous.

Most common causes of pet poisoning identified by vets

Dogs		Cats
Chocolate	91 per cent	Wildlife	54 per cent
Grapes	54 per cent	Lilies	40 per cent
Medication	51 per cent	Plants/foliage	33 per cent
Onions	14 per cent	Rat poison	29 per cent
Household items	10 per cent	Mouldy food	17 per cent
Plants	4 per cent	Rotten foods	16 per cent
Mouldy foods	3 per cent	Cheese	13 per cent

(Data source: Direct Line Pet Insurance 2021)

January is the worst month for poisoning claims for both cats and dogs, with a fifth (19 per cent) of all poisoning-related claims in 2020 taking place in January – amounting to nearly 2,000 claims, or 62 every single day.

Madeline Pike, Veterinary Nurse for Direct Line Pet Insurance, said:

“Pets are part of the family and seeing your dog or cat unwell is a pet owner’s worst nightmare, especially if you suspect it is due to someone else being careless, whether accidentally or deliberately.

Beware of foods that are poisonous to dogs

“There are many foods and substances that are harmful to animals and it is important for owners to educate themselves and those around them about these. To minimise the risk of your pet eating something that could make them ill, there are some precautions you can take at home. Make sure to keep food locked away, secure your bins and remind guests not to leave food out.

“If any pet owners are concerned that their cat or dog may have consumed something poisonous, vets have identified the most common symptoms to look out for including; tremors, excessive panting, high heart rate and sickness/diarrhoea.

“Direct Line pet insurance customers receive 24/7 access to a vet via PawSquad with live chat or video calling. You can use the service for free, from the comfort of your own home and get any questions directly answered by a vet.”

January 27, 2021

Someone is Poisoning Dogs: Beware if Your Dog Shows Any of These Symptoms

Cases of deliberate dog poisoning are thankfully rare. But leaving out meat that has been deliberately poisoned is causing one charity to issue this stark warning to dog owners to be on the look out. Most dog owners are now aware of the human foods that are dangerous to dogs, but avoiding food that has been deliberately tainted is much trickier.

The RSPCA is urging dog owners to be vigilant after a suspected dog poisoning in the Netherley area of Liverpool.

On July 13, the animal welfare charity was alerted to reports of a dog who had eaten some meat the owner later believed was laced with poison.

The pet was very poorly and vomited up an orange substance but thankfully has pulled through from the ordeal.

RSPCA Inspector Helen Smith, who is investigating, said: “At this stage, we do not know if the dog was poisoned, or if this was deliberate or accidental but we are now investigating, and would urge anyone with information to call our inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018. With this in mind, I would also urge owners in the area to be extra vigilant.

“Pet owners should be very careful and keep a close eye on what their pet may be eating or is able to get access to. We’d also ask people to be careful when using substances to ensure that animals are not affected – slug pellets and antifreeze for example – and that substances are securely stored and properly disposed of, rather than dumping them on a roadside or in a park.”

A typical household has a variety of substances and foods which are capable of causing serious harm to our pets. Some of the most common poisons include: alcohol, antifreeze, aspirin, carbon monoxide, chocolate, drugs and medicines, fertilisers, grapes and raisins/sultanas, insecticides, lead (mainly from paints or old car batteries), metaldehyde (slug bait), mushrooms and toadstools, onions, other plants (such as lilies), rat and other vermin poisons, weed killers and xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum and baking).

Symptoms of Poisoning in Dogs

depression

lack of appetite

vomiting and diarrhea

breathing difficulties and bad breath

twitching

seizures.

Different substances can affect animals in different ways. Some symptoms can take days to appear.

Deliberately poisoning an animal could mean a six-month prison sentence and/or an unlimited fine, if prosecuted of an offence under the Animal Welfare Act.

Dog owners worried about poisoning should also be aware of foods that are toxic to dogs.

July 27, 2018
Coming Soon: Two Household Treats That Can Kill Your Dog

Nothing says Easter quite like chocolates and daffodils – yet these seemingly harmless seasonal pleasures are set to cause illness and even death among UK pets over the next month, according to veterinary charity PDSA.

Every Easter, vets see a sharp increase in pet poisoning casualties caused by these seasonal items. Previously the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) has seen as much as a 150% increase in the number of enquiries about pets poisoned by chocolate over the Easter period. The most common victims were curious dogs, who frequently sniffed out chocolates left within their reach. Some dogs were also fed human chocolate as treats by well-meaning but misguided owners.

Similarly, cases of daffodil poisoning peaks around Easter, with most pet owners unaware of their potential danger to animals. In 2009 the VPIS found that over one third of all daffodil poisoning enquiries occurred at this time of year.

Elaine Pendlebury, PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, said: “Vets across the UK are poised for an influx of Easter poisoning cases over the next few weeks. Easter wouldn’t be Easter without chocolate and daffodils, but unfortunately, neither are pet friendly.

“Many dogs, like us, enjoy the taste of chocolate and will happily eat it if they get the chance. When it comes to daffodils all parts of the plant are potentially dangerous, even the water these flowers stand in. The bulbs are highly toxic to pets and can prove fatal if consumed.”

Elaine added: “The greatest chocolate danger is from the luxury brands intended for humans that have a higher cocoa content making it much more toxic to pets. Just a small bar of dark chocolate could fatally poison a Yorkshire Terrier!”

With daffodils, the main risk to pets is from the bulbs, as Nick Sutton, Specialist in Poisons Information at the VPIS explains: “Most of the enquiries we receive regarding daffodils concern dogs digging up and eating freshly planted bulbs. Animals can become very unwell after eating the bulbs. Although this is the most toxic part of the plant, eating the leaves, flowers and even drinking the water can prove harmful.”

The main problem, according to Elaine, is that owners simply aren’t aware of these seasonal dangers. To help people learn more, here are some seasonal facts from PDSA and the VPIS:

Dog chocolate poisoning facts:

• Large amounts of chocolate can poison dogs and other pets due to the toxic effects of theobromine, a component of chocolate similar to caffeine.
• The effects of chocolate poisoning in dogs usually appears within six to 12 hours of ingestion, and can last as long as 72 hours.
• Initial signs can include excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhoea abdominal tenderness and restlessness. This can then progress to hyperactivity, tremors, abnormal heart rate, hyperthermia and rapid breathing.
• In severe cases there are fits, heart beat irregularities, coma or even death.

Dog Daffodil poisoning facts:

• Daffodil bulbs are the most toxic part of this plant. They contain chemicals called alkaloids and glycosides which are hazardous to pets. These chemicals are present in all parts of the flower, but most concentrated in the bulb.
• The lethal dose can be as low as 15g of bulbs – this could be as little as just one bulb!
• Even the water the daffodils stand in is toxic and can cause stomach upsets in pets if drunk.

Case study:

Sweet-toothed Labrador, Buster, from Derby made an egg-cellent recovery last Easter thanks to PDSA – after he collapsed with chocolate poisoning from wolfing down a dozen chocolate cream eggs!

Five-year-old Buster’s owner brought the chocolate eggs as an Easter treat for her grandchildren. She hid them away in her spare bedroom, but didn’t count on mischievous Buster sniffing them out.

PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Vicky Sims, who treated Buster last year says: “Buster was quite lucky. Cream eggs have a fairly low theobromine content because they’re half fondant. Higher quality ‘posh’ chocolates are the most dangerous as they have high concentrated doses of theobromine – which poisons pets.

“Many people are simply not aware that even small amounts of human chocolate can kill a little dog. If you want to indulge your pet you should opt for a healthy pet treat instead.”

March 25, 2015
Can Dogs Eat Grapes?

Are Grapes Safe For Dogs to Eat?

The wrath of grapes was, unfortunately, all too familiar for many dogs and cats in 2008 as a US based pet insurance firm released data showing how many toxic claims it had dealt with last year. For many dog owners, they are unaware of which foods can prove toxic to dogs until it’s too late.

VPI pet health insurance analyzed the more than 400 claims it received last year for toxic plant ingestions to find which plants and plant products proved most likely to poison pets. Raisins and grapes topped the list, followed by mushrooms and marijuana. In 2008, the average amount claimed for plant poisoning was $427 (approx £300).

Grapes Eaten by Dogs Top Vet Claims

1. Raisins/Grapes
2. Mushrooms
3. Marijuana
4. Lily
5. Walnuts
6. Onion
7. Sago Palm
8. Macadamia Nuts
9. Azalea
10. Hydrangea

“Almost all plant poisonings in pets can be prevented, but prevention depends on knowledge, thus it is important for pet owners to become familiar with which items can be toxic if ingested,” said Dr. Carol McConnell, vice president and chief veterinary medical officer for VPI.

“Prevention is a simple matter of keeping these hazards out of a pet’s environment. To avoid plant poisonings, try not to give a dog table scraps that contain raisins, onions or nuts, and make sure that a new pet is introduced to a backyard free of sago palms, wild mushrooms or other toxic plants.”

Pet owners have good reason to take the threat of grape/raisin ingestion seriously. Even in low doses, ingestion can place pets at risk for acute renal failure. Symptoms include anorexia, lethargy, depression, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

The exact cause is unknown, but some experts think that there may be a toxic component in the skin of the grape/raisin. Treatment by a licensed veterinarian may include inducing vomiting and/or administration of intravenous fluids. Immediate treatment is essential.

The mushrooms most responsible for poisoning pets are the common “backyard” variety. These often grow in grassy places, especially after a heavy rain, and contain toxic components that disrupt the functioning of the digestive tract and liver. If ingested, mushrooms can cause salivation, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, and liver failure.

The best way to prevent an accidental ingestion is to regularly scan a yard, or any other grassy area a pet may occupy, and pull wild mushrooms up when they appear.

Most mushroom ingestion claims were submitted in late summer and fall. In fact, half of the plant poisoning claims received in October were due to mushroom ingestion. In addition to the top 10 plant poisonings, VPI received claims for ingestion of the following plants or plant products: delphinium, crocus bulbs, hemlock, rhododendrons, gladiolus, tea tree oil, poison ivy, nightshade, tobacco, poinsettia, oleander, brunfelsia, hibiscus, almonds, scarlet pimpernel, potpourri and kalanchoe. Nearly all claims for lily ingestion were submitted for felines.

While not a plant or plant product, fertilizer is another garden variety toxin often ingested by pets. The strong smell of fertilizer can motivate dogs to taste or eat it. Unfortunately, some fertilizers contain organophosphate pesticides which impair the nervous system. In 2008, VPI received 60 claims for organophosphate poisoning. Pet owners can avoid accidents involving fertilizer by not using pesticide-containing fertilizers in an area frequented by pets. As with plant poisonings, prevention of fertilizer poisoning is primarily a matter of observation and knowledge of a pet’s environment.

Grapes are favourite fruits of humans but these innocuous looking fruits can kill a dog. No one really knows why dogs should not be allowed to eat these red, green and black sweet fruits. Studies conducted on grape toxicity have verified that it was not caused by fertilizers or pesticides. Although the toxin in grapes is unknown, a twelve month study period has verified that grapes have indeed caused renal failure. Dogs affected by grape toxicity will be in pain due to inability to pass urine thus dogs that do not respond well to treatment are oftentimes put to sleep.

Question: Can My Dog Eat Grapes?

Humans love grapes fresh fruits or as raisins as apart from being delicious grapes are rich sources of vitamins. Grapes are good source of antioxidants. Free radicals commonly known as oxidants are the cells “developed” from humans unhealthy living . Alcohol, pollution, unhealthy foods, too much sun are the allies of oxidants. These oxidants are the reasons why people suffer from various health conditions like cancer, heart diseases, arthritis and many other health concerns.

Grapes are good sources of antioxidants that prevent the oxidants from causing more harm to the healthy cells of the body. Now many people are aware of this fact but nevertheless, grapes are consumed in large quantities. Because of the low calorie content, people conscious about their figures would chose to snack on grapes as the fruit will not add inches to the waistline.

The potential fatal effect of grapes to dogs is a recently discovered fact. Before pet owner were warned about the harmful effects of grapes to canines, this fruit as well as raisins were used as treats when training dogs. Scientists and pet owners are puzzled as the toxicity of grapes do not affect all dogs. Dogs that eat bunches of grapes will go scot free while some dogs that ingest a few will start to vomit and show other signs of toxicity. The toxicity of chocolates is dose dependent, this is not so with grapes.

A dog that was affected by the toxic contents of grapes would start to show a change in behavior. The dog will be hyperactive and then it will be depressed and become lethargic. The dog may vomit and have diarrhea. Immediate treatment is necessary to save the life of the pet thus it must be rushed to the vet stat. Because the kidneys can no longer perform its function of filtering toxins, the dog will suffer from renal failure that can result to the death of the dog

Sarah’s Dogs has more answers to why dogs cannot eat grapes as well as information about first aid for dogs.

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