Tag: pet safety

Household hazards!

The seven things in the home that could be fatal for your pet this spring

A leading veterinary charity has named seven things in the home that could be fatal when within paws’ reach.  

PDSA vets, together with PDSA Pet Insurance, are reminding pet owners of the surprising household items and features that can create a harmful environment. From knowing the dangers of an open bin or window, to not storing items away, the leading vet charity has identified seven things around our homes which can see pet owners unintentionally putting their furry friends at risk.

PDSA Vet Gemma Renwick said: “With spring in the air, many pet owners are sprucing up their homes as they prepare for their annual spring clean. This is the perfect opportunity to reassess how and where things around our homes are stored or left.

“Pets are curious creatures, and unfortunately this can sometimes lead them into trouble. To ensure your home is as safe as it is clean this spring, here are seven common hazards that may be putting your pet in danger.”

Cleaning products

“Pets are inquisitive by nature and love to explore anything unusual they may find lying around. Make sure you put any cleaning products away carefully, storing them well out of reach, just as you would for young children.

“There are plenty of pet-safe cleaning products available to buy including carpet shampoo, stain removers, and laundry detergent, just remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, as many cleaning products will need to be diluted with water first.

“As pet owners, this is a particularly important step to take to the risk to your pet. After you’ve used a cleaning product, always wipe down the area with clean water to remove any excess product that may otherwise linger.”

Alcohol

“We may not always pay much attention to where items that include alcohol are stored – but what can be safe for pet owners can be a serious danger to our furry friends.

“It’s not just alcoholic beverages that should be kept out of paws’ reach too – take care with any items that contain traces of alcohol, including mouthwash, perfume, aftershave, and glue.”

Batteries

“Batteries are found across the home, from TV remotes to car keys, so there’s ample opportunity for pets to get into trouble!

“Although they’re necessary for household items to work, batteries can be very dangerous when ingested or chewed by pets as they contain strong acids.

“When a battery is punctured or swallowed, the acidic material can leak out and cause burns to a pet’s mouth, throat, and stomach, as well as causing difficulty breathing and swallowing.”

Dustbins

“We all know pets love the smell of food – especially dogs – which can make our dustbins enticing places to explore.

Even if our furry friends enjoy a proper portion size, many still enjoy digging through the trash for an extra portion.

“Mouldy food, discarded foil, skewers, and other waste items can cause obstructions and damage the gut – as well as being potentially toxic to our pets.

“To avoid any temptation, always make sure bins are sealed, emptied regularly, and can’t be easily knocked over.”

Vapes and E-Cigarettes

“We are all aware of the risks of passive smoking to people, but it can be equally as damaging to our pets’ health too.

Second-hand smoke contains over 5,000 different chemicals , which are highly toxic to pets, even in small amounts. This is also true for vapes and e-cigarettes, which have grown in popularity. 

Just like in cigarettes, most vaping liquids contain nicotine – sometimes even more so than cigarettes. As nicotine is very toxic to our pets, it’s important to keep them well away from it.

These are also more likely to be left lying around – leaving pets at risk of cuts from chewing the glass vials.  

Always ensure these are kept out of reach and avoid smoking cigarettes of any kind around your furry friend.”

Open windows

“As the weather gets warmer, be careful not to leave windows open that your four-legged friend could jump or fall out of.

Open windows can be enticing to cats, dogs and other small pets, which may lead to danger – particularly if the window isn’t on the ground floor.

Make sure your pet can’t access a room with an open window or consider installing safety screens so that your furry family member can enjoy the fresh air without potentially injuring themselves by jumping outside.”

Pet treatments

“Remember that just like pet owners, all animals are different, so make sure that if your pet is unwell, you’re using the right treatment and dosage for your furry friend’s species and weight.

“Always read and the follow the instructions supplied with a treatment – and never use medication that isn’t prescribed by your vet.

“The same is also true for any medication you or a family member may be taking – never attempt to treat your pets with anything made for a human, unless prescribed by your vet, and ensure these too are stored safely away.”

The charity’s insurance partner, PDSA Pet Insurance, offers a range of policies to cover cats and dogs for accidents and illness, as well as providing access to a 24/7 veterinary helpline.

Every policy sold raises funds for the charity’s life-saving veterinary work.

To find out more visit pdsa.org.uk/pdsa-petinsurance

Beware the BBQ!

Owners urged to keep pets safe as vets report an increase in barbecue related injuries

With the last days of the summer rapidly approaching, pet owners are being urged to keep kebab sticks, corn on the cob and other barbecue related items away from their animals to help avoid emergency trips to the vet.

Every summer, vets see many cases of dogs with injuries caused by eating wooden and metal kebab skewers, whole corn cobs, onions and cooked bones. 

Although corn is not poisonous to dogs, their inability to digest the cobs can lead to obstructions, often requiring emergency surgery to prevent the risk of intestinal rupture, which can have severe consequences. 

Skewers and splinters from cooked bones can also lead to serious internal injuries which often require life-saving surgery.

A new British Veterinary Association survey has revealed that last year, two fifths (39%) of vets who had treated companion animals had seen pets with barbecue related injuries, an increase from the 25% in 2018.

The most common issues were caused by eating inappropriate food (32%), such as corn cobs (25%) and cooked bones (18%).  Injuries caused to pets’ mouths or internal injuries by skewers, which can be picked up accidentally with meat products such as lamb kebabs, were seen by 13% of vets while burns from barbecues, coals or hot food had been seen by 2% of vets.

Corn on the cob

Bailey, a two-year-old Labrador, had to be whisked to the vet after cheekily scoffing down corn on the cob at a barbecue. Bailey is very rarely sick, so her owners were concerned when she was unwell one morning.

They initially thought she’d thrown up some dog treats, but a closer look revealed she had vomited up pieces of corn on the cob. After calling their vets for advice, they hurried her to West End Vets at Tollcross, Edinburgh, where she was sedated and examined.

An x-ray worryingly showed she had more inside her stomach and small intestine, which could kill her as dogs are unable to digest corn on the cob, so vets performed a four-hour-long life-saving operation to remove it.

Happily, she survived the incident and is now at home with her owners once again.

Skewers

Wren, a four-year-old greyhound, had an incredibly lucky escape after swallowing a kebab skewer at a barbecue. Her owners didn’t notice her sneaking the kebab so were not aware her life was at risk straight away.

She had some intermittent vomiting and lethargy for a few weeks after the barbecue, so they were keeping an eye on her, but it was only when she jumped up and yelped that it became apparent what had happened – the kebab skewer was suddenly sticking out of her side!

She was rushed immediately to the vets, where she was taken into surgery and it was found that the skewer had gone through her stomach, through her pancreas and then pierced her skin to poke outside her body.

Happily, like Bailey, the emergency surgery saved her life, and she is now recovering well thanks to the quick actions of her owners and the vets who cared for her.

British Veterinary Association Junior Vice President Anna Judson said: “Pets, and dogs in particular, are always on the lookout for a sneaky treat and won’t hesitate to chew on or gobble something down even if it may cause them harm. It can happen so quickly too.

“One of the most dramatic cases I’ve seen was a tiny cut on the tongue of a young lab. Caused by a cheeky lick of a cracked plate, the blood seemed to be spraying out as he leapt around, but the actual wound was very small. The owners did absolutely the right thing bringing him in so we could sedate and treat him.

“Have fun but keep an eye on your pet, make sure food and sharp objects are kept out of paws reach and ensure your pet stays away from hot barbecues or grills to help avoid emergency dashes to the vet. Always phone your vet if you’re concerned and don’t leave things to chance, it is better to be safe than sorry.”

PDSA urges pet owners to start preparing their furry friends for Bonfire Night

Vet charity warn fearful pets face fireworks misery

As Bonfire Night approaches, pet owners may find themselves more stressed than excited by the prospect.

Vet charity PDSA is urging owners to take preventive action – especially those who took on a pet during the pandemic – in a bid to reduce the extreme distress and suffering that fireworks can cause for many of our four-legged friends. 

Our pets’ enhanced senses mean they can find the loud noises and bright flashes from fireworks overwhelming, which can lead to severe anxiety and trauma.

PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing said: “The firework season may be an especially difficult time for pups who were raised during lockdown – our 2021 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report* shows that 15 per cent of UK dogs (139,000) obtained during the pandemic are showing signs of fear.

“One well recognised fear in dogs is noise phobias, and our previous research reports that 40% of dogs are afraid of fireworks. Of those dogs owned before the pandemic, our research revealed 3% of dogs (260,000) were reported as showing signs of fear, so it’s unknown what the impact will be come November.

“Thankfully, there are simple steps to reduce distress in our furry family members – the sooner you can start preparing the better. While some pets who are very affected by fireworks can take months of training to make them more comfortable with the bangs and flashes, there are still plenty of things you can do now to help. PDSA has produced a free guide to help owners lessen the impact of this stressful period.”

PDSA’s top tips on tackling fireworks phobias include:

Start early

The earlier you can start your pre-fireworks prep, the better – aim to start getting them used to the bangs and whistles at least six weeks prior to Bonfire Night or other big occasions. Play firework noises quietly throughout the house and pair these with their favourite treat. If they show any signs of stress, stop the noises, and try again at a lower volume when they are not reacting. Continue to do this all year round, so your pet builds up positive associations with these sounds.

Secure your garden

Secure your home and garden in advance, as fearful furry friends may panic and scarper. Ensure any ‘escape routes’ – such as holes in fences – are inaccessible.

Set up a hideaway

Create a ‘den’ in a quiet room or cupboard, which your pet can use as a safe space to hide in. It’s important that your pet already views this space as a safe place that they can escape to. Make it extra cosy with blankets and their favourite toys and treats, and add pillows or cushions to help absorb the loud noises – you can also do the same to hutches for smaller four-legged friends, who may also appreciate some extra bedding to hide away in.

Create calm vibes

Using pheromone products can help anxious pets, as the scents they release provide a calming effect to relax a stressed pooch or puss. You can even prepare a calming playlist, as music with a repetitive beat might help to disguise the loud bangs from fireworks and may keep your furry friend relaxed.

Speak to your vet

If you’re concerned your pet has a severe phobia of fireworks, it’s best to speak to an expert. Your vet can advise you on measures to improve the phobia, such as professional behaviour therapy or prescribe medications to help.

For more information on how to prepare your pet for Bonfire Night and to download PDSA’s free Firework Guide, please visit:  

www.pdsa.org.uk/fireworks2021.