Weekly Wag: Ingestion of autumn and winter berries

PIC: Vet Kathy

Throughout autumn and winter, we receive many calls to both Rockhall Veterinary and Limerick Night Vets involving animals (mostly dogs) ingesting red berries and acorns, whilst on a walk or in the garden.

It can be difficult to identify the species of plant/berry, and therefore identify whether ingestion is a toxicity risk. Specific plants can be found in higher abundances in certain areas and hence where you live and exercise your pet can play a role when trying to assess the risk factors for your pet. Keeping our dogs on a lead and under control when out and about can help minimise the risk of exposure.

Cotoneaster species, more commonly known as Rosaceae are a family of low-lying scrubs that are similar to roses, commonly found in gardens and public parks. The plant bears round bright red berries from June or July onwards which may remain on the plant until winter.

Dogs and cats often remain well following ingestion of Cotoneaster berries, but gastrointestinal signs may occur. There is a potential for cyanogenic glycoside toxicity if a large quantity has been ingested, but luckily severe Cotoneaster poisoning is rare. Yew n(Taxus species) is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub/tree found throughout Ireland.

The seed is enclosed in a fleshy aril that can be taken for a ‘berry’. All parts of the plant are toxic, including dried clippings, with the exception of the fleshy red (or yellow) arils. Sudden death is the most common sign in livestock, but few severe cases have been reported in dogs.

Thankfully, gastrointestinal upset with vomiting and diarrhoea is what is most commonly seen in dogs. In severe cases, cardiovascular dysfunction may occur but this is very rare. Ingestion of acorns by dogs is common during the autumn months.

Quercus species contain tannic acid; believed to be responsible for the toxic effects observed in animals, which are mainly gastrointestinal and, in some species, renal. Following an acute ingestion of acorns, vomiting and diarrhoea may occur in dogs, both of which may be bloody. Lethargy, abdominal tenderness and inappetence can also be seen and there is also the risk of gastrointestinal obstruction, just from the sheer presence of the acorns themselves getting trapped in the narrower portions of the intestinal tract. There have been reports of renal and liver damage following substantial or chronic ingestion, but this is rarely seen in dogs or cats, and more common in cattle, sheep, horses and pigs.

For most small animal cases, treatment is essentially supportive; as vomiting usually occurs, anti-vomiting medications given into the vein, and rapid rehydration through intravenous fluid therapy. If melaena (blood in the feaces) and pyrexia (high temperature) are present, the renal function and liver enzymes should be monitored, and supportive care be aggressive to prevent any longer term damage to these vital organs. Thankfully, the majority of animals affected make a full recovery without any long term side effects.

Ask the vet?

Why does pet parasite treatments need to be given all year round now?

When it comes to pet parasites, prevention is definitely better! Very quickly our pet parasites can become a household invasion. Parasite infections and infestations can be extremely damaging to our pets’ health and expensive and time consuming to treat and resolve.

There are many ways our pets, even our indoor pets, can become infected or infested. We can bring in various parasites on our hands, clothes and shoes and our pets can bring them in on their coats. Fleas and ticks, to name but two, are now surviving all year round, with warmer temperatures, in our well insulated and warm homes. They are surviving through the winter in the dark crevices and corners of our home, in wooden floor slat gaps, between the cushions of our couches and behind curtains in corners.

These parasites spend significant parts of their life cycle off our pets and in our homes, allowing them to survive through the winter months. Preventing our pets from becoming infested is the best option, but should we get an infestation in our home, opening up the darker areas of our homes to direct sunlight, hoovering, boil washing bedding and materials where possible, hoovering couches and un-washable materials daily, will all assist in bringing the pesky pests under control.

Sprays such as Flee, will help, but must be done in well ventilated spaces and not on expensive fabrics as they can damage them, and of course dealing with the source, preventative treatments on our pets!

For advice about your parasite prevention contact us at Rockhall Veterinary Limerick Night Vets, here when you need us, 24/7/365.

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