Snail bait can be lethal for your pet

OVH vets Megan and Genevieve tell us how to minimize the risk to our pets and what to look out for if you suspect your pet may have ingested snail bait. 

'As the weather warms and the grass grows, now is the perfect time for gardening - however using snail pellets in the garden can be very risky if your dog shares the backyard.

While keeping the snails/slugs away is great for your plants, your beloved pooch may decide that these pellets are quite tasty due to the molasses or bran in the pellets which is there to attract the snails. 

Snail pellets contain chemicals which are very toxic to dogs and potentially life threatening. They can cause a range of severe signs including vomiting, through to tremors and seizures.

How do I stop my dog from eating the pellets?

Store snail pellets in a well-secured cupboard and ideally high out of the reach of pets. Use in areas of the garden which your dog does not have access to and water in the pellets well.

Is there a product I can use instead which is safe for dogs?

Avoid using methiocarb (blue pellets) and metaldehyde (green pellets) containing snail pellets. Even those types with added bittering agents can still be attractive to dogs!

Iron/ferric containing pellets are less toxic to dogs but can still cause toxicity. Alternatively consider using snail traps and barriers.

What are the signs of snail bait poisoning?

Clinical signs present fairly quickly after ingestion and can include:

• twitching or tremor which progress to uncontrollable tremors and seizures and possible death
• rapid heart rate
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• pin point pupils

What if I suspect my dog has eaten snail bait?

Call us immediately if you are concerned your dog has eaten snail bait – the earlier we see your dog after eating the bait, the more chance we have of successful treatment. We will also need to know the brand of snail bait if known as this helps to guide treatment.

Recovery and prognosis depend on how much poison was ingested, how quickly therapy is initiated and on the general health of the patient.'

If you are worried about your pet or have any questions, we are always here to help - 63618388!

One of the greatest threats to human and animal health is antibiotic resistance and the emergence of 'superbugs'.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that 'unless urgent action is taken on the use of antibiotics in humans and animals, the world is heading for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries can once again kill'.

In the veterinary world, we are taking notice of these concerns and doing our bit to help prevent a global catastrophe. In fact, Australian veterinarians have guidelines in place to ensure they are not overprescribing or misusing antibiotics.

Here are some essential things to understand:

1. Antibiotics can only be helpful in the presence of a bacterial infection. They cannot treat viral infections and are not needed in clean wounds
2. We sometimes need to identify the type of bacteria present to help choose the most appropriate antibiotic and this involves taking samples for culture and sensitivity testing. This may need to be done at an external laboratory
3. If your pet is prescribed antibiotics you must always use them as directed and finish the course, even if you think your pet is 'better' - stopping too early can lead to the development of resistant bacteria
4. A revisit may be necessary to check your pet and extend the course of antibiotics if necessary
5. Never start any 'left over' antibiotics you have before you get your pet checked with us

And finally, please don't ask us to prescribe antibiotics without a consultation as it is unethical and it's against the law!

Paralysis ticks are out and about and even if you don't live in a 'typical' paralysis tick area, it's time to sit up and take notice. 

The paralysis tick is usually prevalent along the east coast of Australia in dense bush areas and not in our area however pets who travel with their owners outside the Orange district to coastal areas are at risk and need to be protected from ticks.

Once a tick attaches to a host (such as your pet) it engorges itself with blood and injects a toxin. As the tick slowly grows in size, it continues to inject the toxin over days to weeks so symptoms can be gradual in onset. 

It is therefore important that no matter where you live, you know what to look out for.

Watch out for:

• A change in voice; the meow or bark becomes softer
• Weakness in the back legs; walking along then sitting down suddenly is a common early sign.
• Vomiting, especially if it happens several times in a day
• A moist cough and difficulties breathing

As the poisoning progresses:

• Your pet might be unable to stand
• Breathing becomes exaggerated and more difficult

If the tick is not removed and an anti-serum administered to your pet, death may occur.

There are lots of tick preventatives on the market and it is best to discuss the most appropriate type of prevention with us. It is important to realise that not one product can claim to be 100% effective so knowing the early signs and performing tick checks on your pet is essential. 

Ask us for more information.