In case you hadn’t already noticed… Autumn is here! It brings storms, but also the nice cold mornings, crisp leaves on the ground and the occasional frost. In the run up to this season vets will have been thinking and preparing for what they might see coming into the practice with the change in the weather. It is important for during this time for vet practices to educate owners on how to care for their pets and the hazards that autumn brings. Even though autumn is a lovely time of the year, it doesn’t come without its hazards. Seasonal hazards are also what vets will be thinking about and preparing to see in practice. Whilst most hazards are the same for cats and dogs, there are some key differences.
How do vets try to help prepare owners for this time of the year?
This can be done in various ways. Now that most practices use social media – and most people have access to it – you’ll often see daily posts about hazards and caring for your pets during this time. One more good reason to follow your vet practice on Facebook or Instagram!
You may also see that the posters in the practice have changed… Posters are also a great way of educating owners. Nice bright and colourful posters attract people to look, especially when sitting down waiting for their appointment.
So what are the autumnal issues vet practices will want you to be aware of? Let’s have a look through their concerns…
Using flea and worm treatment during autumn
As the weather is getting cold outside and our heating comes on any unwanted visitors will start to appear, in the form of fleas! So this time of the year vets would defiantly recommend reviewing your flea and worm treatment to minimise the risks of an infestation. Vets whatever the time of the year will always ask if you need any but from autumn/winter this is something you’ll almost certainly find is brought up in the consult. Along with fleas, as these autumnal months are damp we may see more slugs and snails around, especially on fallen leaves. If a dog ingests a slug or snail or even their slime trail then they are at least potentially at risk from lungworm, so if you’re in a high-risk area already, you may well find your vet raising the issue.
Fireworks
From Bonfire night through New Years, autumn and early winter are Firework season. In this period, more clients will contact vets because they need advice and need to prepare their pets for bonfire night. Some cats, dogs and small furries get very scared of the loud bangs and bright flashes. Scared pets may run and hide, may escape (especially cats) and get lost, or, tragically, may in their panic turn aggressive.
During this high-risk time many veterinary practices might advertise about some ways to help pets cope. Practices often offer nurse consults to discuss methods in helping – whilst nurses cannot supply medication to help calm pets, they can discuss different methods like using music to help try to desensitise and how to provide your pet with a safe place. There are over the counter calming supplements and sprays they may help, it is always worth discussing with your vets about how they work and when to start using.
Sadly, many pets do have to take some medication to help keep them calm so vets will be preparing to stock this in time for bonfire night, most will stock more. If your pet does take medication to keep calm during this period, always ring and make sure they have been seen recently to be able to have it prescribed again and order your medication in good time before the events.
Antifreeze
It is coming to the time of the year where we experience freezing temperatures, meaning the antifreeze will come out for our cars and possibly water features. In practice we often see a few of these cases unfortunately, they aren’t nice to see because the outcome can be very sad. Ethylene glycol-based antifreeze has quite a sweet smell so could be quite appealing to a cat or dog. However, whilst it might smell nice it is highly toxic. It can cause severe kidney damage, and neurological issues such as seizures, and there is a narrow time window to administer the antidote before it becomes too late. If you suspect or know that you pet has drunk some (even the smallest bit) then they need to get to a vets as soon as possible. Antifreeze poisoning is a common problem we see every year and can have devastating effects.
Another part of the freezing temperatures is road salt, this is obviously put on the paths and roads to prevent a slippery surface. Whilst it is helpful it can also be harmful to our cats and dogs. When they have this on their paws and they lick it off it can cause dehydration and even salt poisoning, which affects the brain and can be fatal. It is important to wipe your pets’ feet clean when they have been for a walk.
What are the autumnal hazards for dogs that vets may see?
Conkers
Conkers have started dropping on the floor, they seem quite appealing to a dog, nice round things that move on the ground when you walk or run through them. But whilst they may seem fun they do come with some hazards. Conkers contain a toxin called aesculin which is toxic if ingested. If a dog eats conkers, it can cause severe stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Sometimes muscle tremors occur, and they may become unsteady on their legs. Along with their odd shape and different sizes they can also cause a bowel obstruction. If your dog eats a conker it is important to seek veterinary help as soon as possible.
Fallen leaves
Although you don’t really see many dogs eating leaves, if a dog is playing in fallen rotten leaves that have then gone mouldy, they can then be exposed to this mould that could make them unwell. Again, if concerned always seek veterinary advice.
Acorns
Fallen acorns can be another fallen nut from an oak tree that dogs find playful. Acorns contain gallotannin which if ingested can cause liver and kidney problems. Along with this, acorns are a funny shape and often sharp so they can also irritate the gastrointestinal tract and possibly cause an obstruction.
Windfall fruits
This time of the year as trees are changing they start dropping any fruit they have grown. If the fruit isn’t picked up it will go rotten. Rotten fruit can be quite appealing to a dog but it does come with its problems. Firstly, intestinal irritation from bacteria in the rotting material can cause gastroenteritis, vomiting and diarrhoea. Rotten fruit can ferment to make ethanol which can cause vomiting, loss of coordination of legs, seizures and behavioural changes. In addition, the moulds growing on rotting fruit can produce mycotoxins causing nervous system effects, seizures, and liver disease. It is important to seek veterinary advice if your pet has been eating rotting fruit, even if they don’t (yet) seem badly affected.
What are the autumnal hazards for cats?
Candles
As we start to tuck in for the night, its cold outside we may start lighting some candles around the house or even get the fire going. Both of which could look quite appealing to a cat, just like they do to us. As the flames flicker they may look appealing, and cats will often try to play with them, as they would with a laser mouse toy. Of course, unlike the laser toy, the flame is hot and can cause significant burns or even (for example after treatment with spot-on medicines) set the pet on fire. So it is important to use fireguards and use candles in places where cats can’t get them.
Flowers
There are some flowers that bloom throughout the autumnal season, and there are several that are toxic to cats. These include autumn crocus which are part of the lily family, chrysanthemum they are both outdoor plants but care should be taken if you have them in your garden.
If you have any questions or concerns about how to keep you pet safe this autumn always contact your veterinary practice. They are always there to help.
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