Spring Has Sprung and Comes with a WARNING!

Spring is my favourite time of year, I love the spring temperatures and exchanging my cumbersome wellington boots for my old faithful walking boots is pure joy, walks become longer as the outside is so much more inviting.

Spring is not without its downside, the wakening of the countryside brings with it probably the most poisonous time of year for our dogs, although beautiful, many spring bulbs are toxic to dogs they contain alkaloids which are formed from ammonia and if eaten will cause severe stomach upset and in extreme cases seizures.

Daffodils are one of the most common bulbs in our gardens the flowers are also poisonous and strangely the water from a vase that has contained them is also very toxic.

Some flowers can simply irritate a dogs mouth and you will notice them drooling, other symptoms include, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, lethargic, wobbly, distant, and vacant.

The plants listed below can be fatal so if you are not sure what they look like do a quick Google and take care to avoid them or remove them from your garden. Dogs are spending more time in the garden now the weather is better so prevention is better than cure. 

Azalea, Bluebells, Cyclamen, Foxglove, Rhododendron.

Other plants that can poison and cause nasty symptoms and should be avoided are: Buttercups, Daffodils, Narcissus, Hyacinth, Ivy, Lupin, Sweet Peas, Tulips, Wild Cherry trees.

What should I do if I think my dog has been poisoned?

If you witness your dog eating one of the listed plants , call your vet immediately and seek advice

If your dog shows any of the symptoms above contact your vet and inform them of your suspicions with regards to plants / bulbs they have been exposed too.

Walking your dog is one of life’s pleasures, being vigilant at this time of year is vital in keeping our dogs safe.