PDSA vet reveals overlooked danger to pets this autumn

With the arrival of October, the trees will shed, and you’ll find yourself kicking through piles of crunchy golden leaves, heaps of acorns and shiny conkers.

It’s important to be aware of the seasonal dangers that could be harmful to your pet.

PDSA Vet Lynne James said: “Acorns and conkers perfectly signify the seasons changing, and whilst we may enjoy collecting or playing with them, don’t forget that they can be a danger for our pets if they’re swallowed.

“Thankfully, the bitter taste stops most pets eating them, however they can be tempting to play with and some owners enjoy throwing conkers for pets to catch without realising the risks.

“They can easily swallow them, causing tummy upsets or even a potentially life-threatening blockage of their throat or intestines. Not forgetting they do also contain toxins, which can be harmful to pets.

“If your pet is showing signs of choking on an acorn or conker, this is when pet first aid can become a life-saver. We would advise pet owners to download our free pet first aid guide and learn a few very basic steps to help protect your pets.”

What to do if your pet is choking

“A choking pet will usually have difficulty breathing, make choking sounds, might paw at their mouth and you might see their lips, gums and tongue turning blue.

“Although panic can be a natural reaction in an emergency, try to keep yourself and your pet calm. If they are choking and conscious, try to gently open their mouth to look for something that’s stuck. If you can see a blockage in their mouth, you can use tweezers from your pet first aid kit, or a strong pen to remove it. Always take care when putting anything in your pet’s mouth and never use your fingers as they may panic and could bite you by accident.

“If you can’t remove it and your pet is collapsed and unconscious, lay your pet on their side and place both hands on the side of your pet's rib cage. Then push quickly and firmly or strike the rib cage with the flat of your hand three to four times - the idea is to push air and the object out of their lungs.

“If you are still unable to dislodge the object, call your vet straight away for an emergency appointment.

"Contact the vet even if you successfully remove the blockage or if your pet clears the object but is still coughing.

Acorns

“Acorns contain a toxin that if ingested, can upset your pet’s stomach, and make them sick. Although rare, if eaten in large amounts, acorns can even cause kidney and liver failure. It’s actually unripe, green acorns that are more poisonous than brown ones, but all parts of the oak tree are poisonous if eaten!

Conkers

“Conkers contain a mixture of toxic compounds which may cause signs of poisoning, such as vomiting, diarrhoea and collapse. They do have a bitter taste that puts most pets off from eating a lot of them, however if consumed in large amounts, conkers can cause more serious effects, and in some rare cases, can even be deadly.

“It’s important to know what signs to look out for, should your pet get their paws on acorns or conkers and consume them. Signs of illness will usually show within a few hours following chewing or ingestion, but can be delayed for up to a couple of days. The most common signs are a loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness or collapsing.

“Should your pet show any of the above, or other unusual signs, it could be an indication that they are unwell. Always seek advice from your Vet as soon as possible.”

For more guidance on keeping pets safe this autumn, head to PDSA’s website: www.pdsa.org.uk/poisons-and-hazards