Peanut is a 1-year-old miniature lop rabbit who recently found himself chewing on the leaf of a dragon tree plant (Dracaena draco).  His owner called Animal PoisonLine for advice shortly [...]

We tend to see a peak in enquiries about slug baits during the summer months.  The most common ingredient in slug bait is ferric phosphate, but we do also receive [...]

Wasp and bee stings are most common in spring, summer and early autumn months.  Dogs and cats are commonly stung on their face and paws, and in many cases, signs [...]

Lily (black and white) is a gorgeous 6-month-old cat who recently managed to pierce a glowstick and ingest some of the liquid within.  Her owner called Animal PoisonLine and discussed [...]

At this time of year, posts circulating around social media regarding rapeseed are shared extensively and understandably worry many dog owners. The posts usually state that rapeseed is highly poisonous [...]

Meet Shumba!😍 Shumba is a gorgeous 9-month-old Labrador who recently got hold of his owner's electronic cigarette.  His owner called Animal PoisonLine for advice and after calculating the amount of [...]

Today is Stir-up Sunday, the last Sunday before Advent, and the traditional day to prepare and mix your Christmas puddings Remember that raisins, sultanas and currants are toxic to pets, [...]

The castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) is a bush or tree-like, annual or perennial herb commonly cultivated in gardens and parks. The seeds are widely available from garden centres and [...]

Peggy's owner recently called us after she ingested a Vitamin D tablet. Vitamin D is found in different compounds such as cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), calcipotriol, tacalcitol and calcitriol and is [...]

With winter now upon us, it is important to be aware of ethylene glycol toxicity. The most common source of ethylene glycol toxicity is antifreeze Ethylene glycol can affect all [...]

Taz's owner recently contacted Animal PoisonLine after she managed to get hold of some white wine. Within 30 minutes of drinking the wine, Taz became wobbly and uncoordinated on her [...]

We know that many people will be getting their doorsteps ready for Halloween this weekend, but what should you do if your pet ingests some of the pumpkin? Pumpkins, which [...]

These novelty items are readily available and often chewed/ingested by animals around Halloween and Guy Fawkes’ night. They consist of polyethylene tubing filled with a liquid mixture that gives off [...]

As Guys Fawkes night approaches, we tend to see an increased volume in calls regarding fireworks and sparklers Fireworks are a class of low explosive pyrotechnic devices that contain many [...]

In the last week, we have had several cases of dogs becoming significantly unwell after chewing on inhalers containing salbutamol. In this situation, a large dose of the drug is [...]

Keep it away from your pets Keep all packaging for reference including details of the brand, and the active ingredients If you use a pest control company ,ensure you have [...]

Do you know what is in your dosette box? How many tablets? The name and strength of each tablet? Keep a list to hand, if unsure check your repeat prescription [...]

Grapes and their dried fruits can be incredibly toxic to dogs and cats, and ingestion of a small amount can be enough to cause kidney damage. It is not fully [...]

The Animal PoisonLine saves 7 out of 10 pets a trip to the vet, however sometimes urgent treatment is necessary. We hope you will never be in that situation, but [...]

Do you leave your medication by your bed so you don't forget to take it? This is a very common reason for early morning calls to the Animal PoisonLine. Pets [...]

Sadly we have had a lot of calls this week where dogs have become unwell after ingesting sugar-free chewing gum. Sugar-free gum often contains large amounts of an artificial sweetener [...]

Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used for the management of pain. If ingested, diclofenac will commonly cause gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and diarrhoea (which may be [...]

As autumn approaches we are taking lots of calls about ingestion of wild mushrooms. Fortunately most are of low toxicity but some can cause nasty gastrointestinal upset, neurological signs and [...]

Leonard is a gorgeous 8 month old English Pointer who's owner recently called Animal PoisonLine after he got hold of a tube of a suspected petroleum distillate-based product. Although he [...]

At this sad time we know that lilies are very commonly chosen as a floral tribute for funeral flowers. This is just a gentle reminder that lilies pose a life [...]

Due to the lack of rainfall and high summer temperatures we have all seen recently, it is no surprise that we have been in a 'false autumn' and therefore noticed [...]

Benzodiazepines are a class of medication used commonly in both human and veterinary medicine. They are commonly prescribed for their sedative and hypnotic effects, but are also used as anticonvulsants [...]

Sidney is a 4 month old Hungarian Vizsla who's owner recently contacted us after he ingested an earphone containing a battery. His owner explained: "Came home after a walk and [...]

Thank you to one of our members who sent in this great photo taken in her garden! Its that time of year when we receive lots of calls about pets [...]

Beta blockers are medications commonly prescribed in both human and veterinary medicine for patients with cardiac disorders. They work by blocking the hormone adrenaline which helps to slow down the [...]

There are over 4000 species of fungi in the UK. Toxic fungi are fortunately rare. However, if you suspect a pet has ingested a mushroom, it is important to get [...]

Dillon's owner recently contacted Animal PoisonLine after he ingested a few too many supplements. After obtaining a history from the owner and looking at the product and the ingredients, the [...]

Blue-green algae are most commonly found in non-flowing fresh water such as lakes or ponds during the warm weather but can also occur at other times of the year. They [...]

Multivitamins are commonly found in most households and help to supplement any vitamins and minerals that someone may be lacking in their diet. They usually contain a multitude of different [...]

Paracetamol is a widely used medication that the majority of people will have in their homes. It is also worth mentioning that paracetamol is commonly found on the market combined [...]

The kitchen bin is a tempting place for our pets to investigate , however there are many potential hazards lurking in there, here are a few common examples 1. Mouldy [...]

The adder (Vipera berus berus) is the only venomous snake native to the UK, and is also found across northern Europe. It is a protected species in the UK. Adders [...]

Many people associate antifreeze poisoning with the colder months but we still receive calls all year round regarding animals who have been exposed to it. Ethylene glycol is a common [...]

We are commonly called about animals who have been exposed products containing nicotine such as cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and nicotine replacement therapy products. Nicotine can cause signs very rapidly and [...]

We know that many owners take extra precautions to keep medications and chemicals away from their pets, but what about handbags? Handbags often contain many toxic dangers to your pet [...]

We have had a few enquiries recently about pets being stung by jellyfish whilst on the beach. The severity of jellyfish stings varies with the species. Not all sting, but [...]

With summer finally here, we know that many people will be visiting the coast with their dogs whilst on their holidays. The beach can be a wonderful place for your [...]

Bramble's owner recently called Animal PoisonLine after she ingested part of a houseplant. Luckily we were able to ascertain that the risk to Bramble was low and she could remain [...]

Pollen free lilies (Lilium species) are sometimes prompted as safe for pets or animal friendly. This is not true for cats. It is not just the pollen of lilies that [...]

My pet has eaten something that might be toxic, should I try to make them vomit ? Although it is worrying when a pet ingests a potentially toxic substance, do [...]

Amidst the current heatwave, it may not come as a surprise to you that we are receiving a huge increase in calls regarding cooling products. We wanted to reassure owners [...]

"My dog loves to eat horse manure. Horse poo is safe for dogs to eat, right?" Wrong Horse faeces itself is rarely a problem for dogs, though it may cause [...]

A hot weather alert has been issued in the UK for the next few days and Europe is already in the grip of a heatwave. As well as taking care [...]

A hot weather alert has been issued in the UK for the next few days and Europe is already in the grip of a heatwave. As well as taking care [...]

The primary toxic components in chocolate are theobromine and caffeine. The amount of theobromine and caffeine in products will vary dependent on the type of chocolate and the manufacturer. Common [...]

We receive a large number of calls about animals that have ingested rat and mouse poison. There are a lot of different types of these poisons available and they come [...]

https://www.bva.co.uk/.../keep-dogs-on-a-lead-around.../ The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has issued a warning to pet owners in the South West to take extra precautions when walking dogs around freshwater, following the death of [...]

Salt (sodium chloride), although a natural substance that is needed by the body, can cause severe toxicity if ingested in large quantities. Most cases on salt toxicity involve ingestion of [...]

Our new, free seasonal eNewsletter will soon be going live and we would love to share it with you! Within it, you will find lots of useful information about different [...]

With the warmer weather there are lots of insects about, including wasps and bees. Pets can be stung by bees and wasps - Stings from bees or wasps can cause [...]

Just a reminder that if you need assistance we are here 24h to help. To give you the best advice about any potential toxicity it is useful to have the [...]

Meet Biscuit Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum spp) contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause a stinging sensation when the plant is chewed. Common signs that are noted include drooling, vomiting (in [...]

If you are heading to the beach this weekend, remember to take clean drinking water for your dogs to drink. Seawater contains salt (sodium chloride) and excessive ingestion of salt [...]

Xylitol is a sugar substitute/ artificial sweetener which can cause low blood glucose and, in severe cases, liver damage in dogs. It is commonly found in chewing gum, diet foods [...]

Oak processionary moth (OPM) caterpillars have hairs containing a substance that irritates the eyes and throat. Inquisitive pets that come into contact with them may show symptoms such as excessive [...]

We tend to see a peak in enquiries about slug baits in June. There are 3 main ingredients in slug baits: Metaldehyde, Ferric phosphate and Methiocarb. Metaldehyde causes rapid onset [...]

We tend to see an increase in enquiries regarding slug bait during the Summer months. There are 3 common active ingredients used in slug baits; metaldehyde, ferric phosphate or methiocarb. [...]

At this time of year, there are posts circulating social media regarding rapeseed, which are shared extensively and understandably worry many dog owners. The posts state that rapeseed is extremely [...]

Just a reminder to be aware what plants you have around pets - particularly rabbits who like to eat plants they shouldn't! This guide will help you be aware of [...]

Salbutamol is a common medicine for asthma and inhalers may be readily accessible to pets in the home. We have recently seen an increase in dogs chewing and piercing these [...]

Time for a spring clean? Many household disinfectants, such as antibacterial sprays and some patio cleaners, contain a compound called benzalkonium chloride which is a cationic detergent. Cationic detergents are [...]

Are you buying flowers for your loved one this Valentine's Day? Remember to check they are cat friendly flowers if there are cats around! Florists can often advise on cat [...]

There have been recent reports in the media that a component of some COVID-19 rapid test solutions is toxic to dogs- the ingredient of concern being sodium azide. While sodium [...]

Happy Chinese New Year! February 1st marks the beginning of the Year of the Tiger. The third animal of the Chinese zodiac, the tiger denotes bravery, competitiveness and confidence. We [...]

Today is #NationalPeanutButterDay ! Peanut butter is quite commonly used in homemade dog treats, and can make a delicious snack! Some brands of peanut butter use xylitol as an artificial [...]

This week marks National Obesity Week. With the New Year, many people want to lose some weight, particularly following overindulgence during the festive season, employing different methods to help with [...]

As we are deep within the busy festive period, we would like to share an interesting case we have received a call about. Jack’s owner contacted us after she chewed [...]

Merry Christmas from the VPIS! Just a reminder if you need us over the festive period - we are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Animal PoisonLine [...]

Christmas means chocolate! Christmas is associated with an excess of food and top of the list is chocolate. This of course means an increase in cases of accidental ingestion in [...]

There are plenty of holiday hazards for pets around the house at Christmas time, including batteries- powering lights, decorations and presents, it is important to keep any batteries out of [...]

In the run up to Christmas please can we thank all veterinary professionals for recommending Animal PoisonLine to their clients. Please can we remind you that the Animal PoisonLine telephone [...]

With winter here, it is no surprise that today is Homemade Bread Day. The team here love warm bread dunked in some hot soup to warm up in the evening [...]

With left over Halloween chocolate in houses and tins of chocolate in the shops it is important to ensure chocolate is kept away from pets. Chocolate contains a chemical called [...]

Today is Guy Fawkes night, we hope you all have a lovely evening. At VPIS and AnimalPoisonLine, we also receive a number of enquiries each year about animals who have [...]

We receive a lot of enquiries about animals ingesting mushrooms whilst out on a walk or that have appeared in the garden. There are thousands of fungi species in the [...]

Guy Fawkes is approaching and therefore sparklers are about! Sparklers only cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested but a burning sparkler has a very high temperature and will cause burns if [...]

Plums, and other stoned fruits (as well as the tree they grow on) contain cyanogenic glycosides. Ingestion of cyanogenic glycoside-containing material can cause cyanide toxicity, although this is rare. Most [...]

Happy Halloween! As a popular addition to the doorstep at Halloween, pumpkins, which belong to the Cucurbitaceae (gourd) family may be eaten by pets. Fruits of these plants can contain [...]

The weeks surrounding Halloween are usually one of the busiest periods of the year for our team at the VPIS and APL. The season presents many potential hazards to pets, [...]

Bonfire night is not the only day to be cautious of fireworks, with the whole month seeing an increased prevalence of these mini explosives. Fireworks are a class of low [...]

As we head into the Autumn and Winter months, we see a rise in calls involving ethanol and associated products. Alcohol soaked fruits, or using fruits to make/flavour alcohol are [...]

If you are worried about something your pet has eaten, please do not try to make them vomit at home. Most pets, especially puppies, will at some point eat or [...]

Honeysuckles are arching shrubs or twining vines in the family Caprifoliaceae, native to northern latitudes in North America, Europe and Asia. There are approximately 200 species of honeysuckle; widely known [...]

This month, we would like to share the case of Billy, the 6-month-old kitten who fell into/found himself coated in creosote. The use of creosote by non-professionals was banned in [...]

Throughout the pandemic, we have seen a rise in calls received from vet practices and owners, where we are able to triage cases and offer treatment advice when required. With [...]

Xylitol is one of the most common agents we receive calls about, but did you know Xylitol is sometimes referred to as Birch Sugar? Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that [...]

It was a pleasure to have our Dogfest stand next to Thin Blue Paw Foundation. Nicola (Our Head of Service) was delighted to meet Fabulous Finn. Finn was stabbed whilst [...]

This month we would like to share the case of Otto, a 7 year old miniature schnauzer, who accidentally ingested 15 joint supplements! Otto’s owner kindly left us this message [...]