Valentines Day Chocolate Toxicity Warning

***Valentines Day Chocolate Toxicity Warning***

Valentine’s Day is a time to spoil our beloveds, woo our secret lovers, and remember to call our mothers which means that Melbourne households will be filling up with chocolate. We are asking all pet owners to be cautious of chocolate around your pets especially this weekend.

Older pets, or animals with pre-existing heart conditions, are more susceptible to the effects of chocolate poisoning and at higher risk of sudden death due to cardiac arrest.

The common clinical signs of chocolate poisoning are:

• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• increased thirst
• panting or restlessness
• excessive urination
• muscle spasms and tremors
• seizures
• increased temperature
• increased heart rate
• abnormal behaviour

 

Why Chocolate is dangerous to pets:

Cooking/baking chocolate and dark chocolate pose the biggest danger, as they contain the largest concentration of theobromine. A 10kg dog would only have to eat 50 grams of milk chocolate to show clinical signs of chocolate toxicity or as little as 30 grams of dark chocolate. Whereas a mere 15 grams of baking chocolate (containing 70% cocoa) could lead to chocolate toxicity. Keep in mind that if the chocolate contains other harmful ingredients such as raisins/sultanas, alcohol or macadamia nuts then it may cause further complications.

It contains the alkaloid theobromine, which has similar effects as caffeine and is poisonous in large amounts. The toxicity level of the chocolate depends on the type and amount that is consumed, as well as the size of the dog. Toxic doses are generally considered to be 100mg of theobromine per kilogram of body weight, with fatal doses often occurring at over 200mg per kilogram.

Ingestion of chocolate in dogs does often lead to significant illness and so should be taken seriously by pet owners and treated as an animal emergency. As with all things, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so if you believe your dog has ingested any amount of chocolate you should immediately consult an emergency veterinarian and bring it in for examination at a 24 hour animal emergency centre.

Essendon Fields: (03) 9379 0700

Point Cook: (03) 8368 7400

www.animalemergency.com.au

Chinaberry Tree Toxicity: Emergency Vet Care

This is the adorable Twiggy, a 7 month old Dachshund puppy who has received emergency veterinary care by Dr Jina Song for Chinaberry toxicity.

The Chinaberry tree is also know as White Cedar tree or “Melia Azedarach” and is highly toxic.

Twiggy presented at our Point Cook 24hr Pet Emergency Centre suffering an acute onset of vomiting.

Twiggy was most fortunate as her carers saw her eating the berries and rushed her to our centre. Her treatment was successful although she is continuing treatment due to expected complications from stomach insults from her ordeal.

The entire tree is toxic (bark, leaves and flowers) with higher toxin amounts in the berries.

Once eaten, your pet will quickly show varying signs:
– vomiting,
– tremors,
– seizures,
– diarrhoea,
– weakness,
– death (which can occur within 24 hours)

The fruit is highly toxic to animals and people, most likely causing death from kidney, liver failure and central nervous system problems.

If your pet ingests these berries please contact your veterinarian or one of our 24hr Pet Emergency Centres immediately.

‪Essendon Fields‬: (03) 9379 0700
‪Point Cook‬: (03) 8368 7400

www.animalemergency.com.au

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Day Light Savings – Starts this SUNDAY Melbourne!

Day Light Savings

****REMINDER****

Day Light Savings will start this Sunday for Melbourne.

Please push your clock an hour forward.

Animal Accident & Emergency is OPEN 24 hours 7 days a week if your pet needs veterinary help.

Essendon Fields (03) 9379 0700
Point Cook (03) 8368 7400

http://www.animalemergency.com.au

Leo completed his Radioactive Iodine treatment

 

Leo received Radioactive Iodine treatment

I would like to introduce Leo.  Leo has just completed his treatment with Radioactive  Iodine at Animal Accident & Emergency. 

Leo is a lovely cat that has just completed his treatment for Hyperthyroidism.  Hyperthyroidism occurs in some cats due to an over active thyroid gland.  If left untreated it can lead to some serious health conditions.  Treatment involves using medication or treatment with radioactive iodine.

In July, we commissioned a radioactive iodine therapy unit at our Point Cook 24Hr Pet Emergency Centre.  Radioactive iodine has many advantages over medication.  Medication is often required more than once per day, which is difficult in some cats.  The medication is also lifelong.  In treatment with radioactive iodine, we gave Leo a capsule containing radioactive iodine.  Leo then spent 7 days in our therapy unit so that we could monitor his progress.

Most cats that receive the capsule are oblivious to the effects of the capsule during the week.  It is non painful and successful in greater than 90% of cats treated,  Dr Linda Abraham performs our radioactive iodine therapy and has years of experience in this technique.  Patients are admitted on a Monday and treatment occurs on a Tuesday.

If you think that treatment with radioactive iodine might be an option for your cat, please speak to your vet about referral to Dr Abraham for treatment.

 

Pet Emergency Clinic

 

Always Open, We always CARE

Animal Accident & Emergency, is an emergency veterinary clinic located in 2 convenient locations – Essendon and Point Cook. Our centres CARE for injured or sick pets anytime of the day. An emergency veterinary clinic is not the same as most vet clinics. Our aim is to work with your personal Vet to provide the best possible CARE for your pet.

We operate 24hrs a day and never close. Our team is ready to deal with all emergencies. Emergency and critical care is our core business and we often treat dogs or cats hit by a car (Trauma), dog or cat poisonings( Toxicities), breathing trouble (respiratory distress), or chronic medical conditions when your vet is not available.

Our emergency veterinary clinic is open 24-hours per day to attend to urgent conditions. We are always open including – vet open Sunday in Melbourne, we are open weekends, including all public holidays. If you need help, then please phone. One of our team, will be sure to assist you.

Essendon – 72 Hargrave Ave. Essendon Fields (inside the Essendon Airport Precinct)
(03) 9379 0700

Point Cook – 6 Wallace Ave Across from Oz Ten Bowling
(03) 8368 7400