In the blink of an eye, it’s September. Where has the year gone?! That means the weather is cooling down, the nights are drawing in, and there’s a whole new bunch of potential seasonal hazards for your pets. Here are just a few to be aware of, what to do to avoid them, and how to handle it if you do get caught short.

Mushrooms & toadstools

The seriousness of mushroom-induced illness depends on the type and number of mushrooms ingested.

Symptoms can develop within 10 minutes and include things like;

• Increased salivation
• Vomiting and diarrhoea (which may contain blood)
• Neurological effects including seizures
• Increased urination
• Lethargy
• Collapse

Darker nights

If possible, schedule your walks during daylight hours but, if not, make sure you equip your dog with reflective leads and collars or even a high-viz vest.

Darker coloured cats are harder for drivers to spot in the dark. Make sure they have a reflective collar, or consider keeping them in during the darker hours. If you live near a busy road, it’s especially important to be vigilant. 

Lungworm

Wet and cooler autumn weather creates a perfect breeding ground for slugs and snails, which carry lungworm. Dogs can eat or lick slugs when exploring the garden, playing with toys outside or even licking their fur.

Possible signs of lungworm include;

• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Lethargy
• Nose bleeds
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Loss of appetite

Prevention is much easier than treatment! Make sure your dog’s de-worming treatment includes lungworm protection. Give us a call to order yours.

Antifreeze

During the cooler months, there’s often a spike in the number of antifreeze poisoning cases, and sadly it’s usually fatal unless treated extremely quickly. 

Look out for;

• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures and collapse

Clean up spillages immediately and store any product containing ethylene glycol in sealed containers to minimise the risk to your pet.

Fallen Leaves

Mounds of fallen leaves can be a tempting play pit for dogs, but they can also contain some bacteria and mycotoxins which can lead to nasty stomach upsets.

In addition, sharp objects, such as sticks or branches, could be hiding under piles of leaves, which could cause cuts and other injuries.

Avoid encouraging your dog to run head first into leaves if possible and give them a good clean off after walks.

Conkers & Acorns

Conkers contain a poison called aesculin, and Ingestion can lead to potentially fatal intestinal blockages. Acorns contain a chemical called gallotannin. This chemical is toxic to dogs and, if ingested, can cause liver and kidney damage.

Signs your dog might have ingested acorns or conkers include;

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain.

Keep your dog on a lead in areas where conkers and acorns are on the floor and be on the lookout in case they start playing with one. 

Dogs can become unwell within hours if they eat a conker or acorn, so it’s important to call us immediately if you know they’ve got a hold of one. 

Fleas & ticks

As the weather cools, many of us start to turn the heating on, which can create a cosy breeding ground at home for fleas, and ticks can lurk in long grass and wooded paths through October. The soft, warm fur of cats and dogs provides the perfect environment for fleas and ticks. These tiny insects feed on your pet's blood and can cause health problems such as anaemia and Lyme disease

Check your pet regularly for dark and white specks in their fur and always keep on top of their parasite treatment. Give us a call today to order yours.

Don’t forget those small furries! If you keep your rabbits and guinea pigs outside, it might be time to give their hutch an MOT before it gets cold, or consider relocating them to somewhere inside the house.

If you need any more advice, don’t hesitate to call – one of our friendly team members will be happy to help.