Vet’s urgent warning to dog owners this Easter as common ‘treat’ could make your pet seriously ill
VETS are urging pet owners to be vigilant over the Easter weekend to avoid an emergency.
Animal lovers have been warned to keep all Easter treats out of the reach of their curious pets as they could cause serious harm.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has warned chocolate, raisins and grapes can poison animals.
It comes after a dog was rushed to vet after accidentally eating a 1kg of Cadbury Mini Eggs.
Justine Shotton, senior vice president of the BVA said: “Sweet treats and egg hunts are a fun part of Easter for many families but it’s vital we all take steps to protect our pets and avoid cutting the celebrations short with an emergency trip to the vets.
“Chocolate eggs and bunnies, and even hot cross buns, may seem harmless but can be life-threatening for some pets, especially dogs, who can get extremely sick even from small amounts.”
Even in small quantities chocolate, especially dark chocolate, and cocoa powder can be harmful to pets.
Dogs are particularly susceptible to poisoning due to a chemical called theobromine, which is found naturally in cocoa beans.
The BVA website read: “Theobromine takes a long time to be broken down inside a dog’s digestive system, which means that even a tiny amount of chocolate can result in toxic levels, especially for smaller dogs and puppies.”
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It warned “chocolate toxicity cases often spike” during the holiday season, when emergency care is more costly.
Some six in ten vets (60%) treat cases of chocolate poisoning over Easter each year, according to BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Profession.
Raisins and sultanas, found in hot cross buns and Simnel cakes, and xylitol (found in sugar-free treats) can also be dangerous for dogs and cats if ingested.
They said symptoms of chocolate poisoning usually appear within “12 hours of ingestion and can last for up to three days.”
Owners are urged to look out for warning signs, including “excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhoea and restlessness”.
As symptoms worsen your pet could also experience “hyperactivity, tremors, abnormal heart rate, hyperthermia and rapid breathing.
And severe cases may result in “fits and heartbeat irregularities, and even coma and death”.
Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in some dogs so your vet may recommend your pet has blood tests or is put on fluids.
Vets said: “Accessing veterinary treatment as soon as possible after eating chocolate or other toxic foods is often critical to a positive outcome”.
It is also helpful to “keep any labels and wrappers and have the weight of your pet to hand,” they claim.
It comes after the BVA warned against a beloved “toy” you should never give your pet.