New Arrivals February 2011
February 2011
Here are some pets that arrived in
February 2011.
If you would like your pet added to this gallery please contact:
Jennifer on 028 90798457 who will arrange a photo shot.
Click on the images below to enlarge
Brave Pet of the Month Feb 2011
Toffee's Story
Toffee's story
As I was coming and going doing housework, Toffee escaped through the child gate upstairs. She was only gone for a
few minutes, but when I found her in one of the bedrooms, I also found an array of half chewed colourful tinfoil!
She had found the contents of the children's Christmas stockings. I believe she had eaten a couple of bags of
chocolate coins, paper and all, and a white chocolate penguin filled with chocolate buttons, but I wasn't
absolutely certain how much she had actually consumed. Toffee very quickly began throw up a lot. When we phoned the
vet they advised us about the seriousness of chocolate poisoning and how toxic it can be for dogs, so off Toffee
went for an over night stay at Cedar grove!
Luckily the vets were able to treat Toffee and she was back to her naughty self the next day.
Veterinary Surgeon's at Cedar Grove Veterinary
Clinic
Chocolate poisoning case
Toffee is a 4-year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. One day she managed to eat some chocolate
that she found at home. This caused her to start vomiting soon afterwards. Her owner contacted the clinic
immediately and was advised to bring Toffee to the clinic straight away.
On arrival at the clinic, Toffee was still vomiting chocolate and had a rapid heart rate – both
symptoms of chocolate poisoning.
Toffee was admitted to the clinic and given activated charcoal by mouth to try to reduce absorption of the toxin in
the chocolate. She was also started on an intravenous drip to help her kidneys get rid of the toxin. Toffee was
closely monitored for further vomiting, seizures and a rapid or irregular heart rate. By next morning, Toffee was
back to her normal bright and bouncy self. She was discharged with a further dose of activated charcoal and her
owner was asked to return her to the clinic if there were any problems.
Many people think that feeding their dog chocolate is a nice treat for them. However, even small quantities of
chocolate can be poisonous for your dog and can cause tummy upsets, panting, shaking, excessive drinking and
seizures. It may even prove fatal. We often get phonecalls from owners who come home to find their dog has “stolen”
a box of chocolates or other products containing chocolate or cocoa. If the chocolate has been eaten within the
last 1-2 hours, these dogs are admitted to the clinic and given an injection to make them vomit and hence get rid
of as much chocolate as possible before it can be absorbed. They are then monitored for symptoms of chocolate
poisoning and may be given activated charcoal or other treatment which is tailored to each individual case.
Unfortunately there is no specific antidote for chocolate poisoning so prevention is better than cure – always make
sure any chocolate products are kept well out of reach of your pet.
Link to previous Months New Arrivals and
Brave Pets
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