Fireworks have six components: fuel (usually charcoal, although phosphorous has been used), oxidising agents (usually nitrates, chlorate or perchlorate), reducing agents (usually sulphur and charcoal), regulators (usually metals), colouring agents (such as barium, copper, calcium, sodium, strontium) and binders (usually dextrin). Ingestion of a used domestic firework is unlikely to [...]
Ingestion of pumpkins including seeds is generally not a concern and may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. These fruits can contain extremely bitter-tasting compounds but they have been bred out of crop varieties. Very occasionally these compounds can occur in cultivated species through mutation, environmental stress or an outcross with a [...]
One of the most important hazards for horses in the autumn is atypical myopathy, a muscle disease with high mortality. It is associated with chronic ingestion of seeds or seedlings of some commonly grown Acer species including sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and ashleaf maple (box elder, Acer negundo). Sycamore is the most [...]
We receive lots of enquires at this time of year about dogs eating acorns (the fruit of oak) and conkers (the seed of the horse chestnut). With acorns about a quarter of dogs remain well and with conkers about a third of dogs do not develop any signs. With both acorns and conkers, the most [...]
Ropinirole is a full dopamine agonist with high selectivity for dopamine D2-type receptors. A new study examined the effectiveness and ease of administration by owners of ropinirole eyes drops for the induction of emesis in dogs. Most of the dogs (95%) vomited within 30 minutes of administration and the median time to [...]
Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) and many other Prunus species, including peaches, cherries, apricots, plums and nectarines contain cyanogenic glycosides. These compounds are hydrolysed by an enzyme to produce hydrogen cyanide (HCN, hydrocyanic or prussic acid). In intact plant material the cyanogenic glycosides are separated from the enzyme, and it is only when [...]
Our CPD courses are aimed at keeping vets and vet nurses up-to-date in small animal toxicology. Each course equates to 6 hours of CPD and covers key areas such as decontamination and common or tricky poisonings in cats and dogs. **NEW**Our 2020 CPD dates** Thursday 6th February 2020 - London Thursday 19th March 2020 [...]
We previously reported that a ban on outdoor use of metaldehyde slug pellets was to come into force next year, however, it has been announced that this has been overturned following a High Court challenge by a manufacturer. The ban followed advice from the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides and [...]
With the warm wet weather this summer, we have kept our colleague at the Fungus Conservation Trust (FCT) very busy with identification of images and samples. If you have sent images and/or samples of mushrooms which have been identified we would be grateful for follow up of the case. This [...]
We have changed our recomendations for gastroprotectants, particularly for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) overdose, in line with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) consensus statement. With respect to gastroprotectants for the management of gastroduodenal ulceration and erosion the concensus is that proton pump inhibitors are superior to H2-receptor antagonists, [...]
