Re: Vomiting episodes in a colony of dogs

Louise Buckley — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:34:34 GMT

Sorry, the whole thread only appears when you hit reply to that post. Cannot find any other way to display this.

Re: Vomiting episodes in a colony of dogs

Louise Buckley — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:32:21 GMT

Cross posting from Arlo's other forum www.vetnurse.co.uk (Hope you don't mind Arlo but may be of interest/use/discussion here!)

Tuesday, 10 Aug 2010 at 11:46

I've just read a message on one of the breeder lists I'm on. apparently a few cats in a home have been possibly poisoned by some turf they received from Freecycle!!! Cats are lethargic, v+ bile and foamy saliva. Poor little mites!! might be worth putting out a warning in practice if this is an issue for other owners? Apparently turf can be treated with metaldehyde before sale.

Steph

Tuesday, 10 Aug 2010 at 21:17

That's interesting, thankyou....I'm in the process of digging over my lawn ready to re-turf so i'll be quizzing the sellers on what it's been treated with....

Actually....now you mention it.....my moggy that lives at my parents was ill a few months ago, V+, very weak, pyrexia, anorexia and a significantly raised ALT...after a few days hosp on fluids he was much brighter and slowly started eating again at home..his repeat bloods a few weeks later were back to normal..we've put it down to him possibly eating something toxic...this all occurred a few weeks after my parents had laid a new lawn...

.....coincidence?

Wednesday, 11 Aug 2010 at 13:08

Hi Steph

This sounds a bit alarming. Do you have any further details?

Metaldehyde usually causes tremors or convulsions and is the substance that seems to cause most fatalities in cases referred to the VPIS, so I am understandably anxious! As far as you can tell is the turf pre-treated so it is mollusc free - or does it still have metaldehyde in some pelleted or other form within the turf?

Although surprisingly few traditional slug pellets can cause poisoning in dogs and cats (and other animals) if ingested the severe cases tend to occur when the pellets have been laid in piles or when the animals have eaten the pellets from the packaging directly.

But I'd be keen to have more details if you can find any! Please send a message on here, or email me if you can add more!

Thanks

Alexander Campbell

Head of Service - VPIS

Wednesday, 11 Aug 2010 at 13:13

Alexander Campbell:

Hi Steph

This sounds a bit alarming. Do you have any further details?

Metaldehyde usually causes tremors or convulsions and is the substance that seems to cause most fatalities in cases referred to the VPIS, so I am understandably anxious! As far as you can tell is the turf pre-treated so it is mollusc free - or does it still have metaldehyde in some pelleted or other form within the turf?

Although surprisingly few traditional slug pellets can cause poisoning in dogs and cats (and other animals) if ingested the severe cases tend to occur when the pellets have been laid in piles or when the animals have eaten the pellets from the packaging directly.

But I'd be keen to have more details if you can find any! Please send a message on here, or email me if you can add more!

Thanks

Hi Alex, not really sure what the deal is. Not even positive it was metaldehyde. It was just an assumption made by the breeder. I would love to put you in contact with her and maybe help her get some samples run to find out what the hell caused the problem. I think with subcut fluids and tlc the cats have recovered but they were very unwell for a few days which is rather unsettling. she got the turf from Freecycle and is currently trying to get the details of where the turf came from. What is your email address and I can pass on your details and concern. I think the owner would be ever so grateful.

Steph

Re: Vomiting episodes in a colony of dogs

Mark Holmes — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:55:49 GMT

Laburnum poisoning?

Re: Vomiting episodes in a colony of dogs

Edward Jones — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:40:18 GMT

He's a soft hearted guy that's ended up with too many dogs for his facilities, perhaps?

Re: Vomiting episodes in a colony of dogs

Mike Nikolaou — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:28:32 GMT

He actually comes across as a nice guy, and he has even cried in the past when a dog has died...I really can't figure him out...And although he doesn't always pay his bill on the day, he does frequently settle up...

In any case, food: I think they just feed soft bulk-buy dog food, the dogs' teeth are testament to that...

Re: Vomiting episodes in a colony of dogs

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:19:29 GMT

What are the dogs been fed on? Some breeders have crazy ideas about what is fit food for dogs!

Re: Vomiting episodes in a colony of dogs

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:47:51 GMT

I hope you're being paid well for the aggravation. Sounds like the client from hell. Cut your losses and tell them to find another vet.