Veterinary Poisons Information Service and Animal PoisonLine

18/01/2025

🌟Calling all vets and veterinary nurses!🌟

Now is the time to start planning your CPD for 2025!

The Veterinary Poisons Information Service's CPD dates are listed below. Please note that some dates are always popular so we always recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

Monday 10th March – Manchester
Tuesday 20th May – Cambridge
Wednesday 2nd July – London (VPIS Office – SE1 4PL)
Thursday 25th September – Cardiff
Friday 5th December – London (VPIS Office – SE1 4PL)

The course will cover:
🐾Case histories for potential poisons cases
🐾Decontamination for poisons cases
🐾Toxicology information resources
🐾Common or tricky poisonings in cats and dogs

To find out more or to book a place please visit https://www.vpisglobal.com/class-based-courses/ or email [email protected].

03/01/2025

Are you a pet owner wanting to stay in the loop with seasonal poisoning hazards that your pet may face?

Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://www.animalpoisonline.co.uk/newsletter/

30/12/2024

📢Calling all vets and veterinary nurses!📢

The Veterinary Poisons Information Service is pleased to announce the following CPD course dates aimed at keeping vets and vet nurses up-to-date in small animal toxicology.

2025
Monday 10th March – Manchester
Tuesday 20th May – Cambridge
Wednesday 2nd July – London (VPIS Office – SE1 4PL)
Thursday 25th September – Cardiff
Friday 5th December – London (VPIS Office – SE1 4PL)

The course will cover:
🐾Case histories for potential poisons cases
🐾Decontamination for poisons cases
🐾Toxicology information resources
🐾Common or tricky poisonings in cats and dogs

To find out more or to book a place please visit https://www.vpisglobal.com/class-based-courses/ or email [email protected].

24/12/2024

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) has issued a warning of the risks of water beads to young children. These also pose a risk to pets.

Water beads are made of superabsorbent polymers which are also found in nappies, incontinence pads, water retaining gel for plants and other products. These polymers can absorb and retain a very large volume of a liquid and increase in size. If eaten they can cause gastrointestinal signs and may result in blockage of the gut. This does not happen immediately and can take hours.

Water beads and other products containing superabsorbent polymers should be kept away from pets and children. If you suspect your pet has eaten water beads, seek advice. If an animal presents after ingestion of these products they should be assessed for gastrointestinal signs and obstruction.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine issues a "safety flash" about the dangers to children.

10/12/2024

🎄Salt dough ornaments🎄

At this time of year, we start to see an increase in the volume of calls regarding salt dough ornaments. Whilst they make a great gift and can look lovely out on display, did you know that they can be very dangerous to your pet?

These ornaments often contain large amounts of salt, which when ingested can lead to toxicity.
High levels of salt may result in vomiting and diarrhoea, depression, tremors, excessive thirst and dehydration. There may also be weakness, in-coordination and wobbliness as well as high blood pressure. In severe cases muscular rigidity, seizures, coma and kidney failure can occur.

In order to keep your pet safe this Christmas, please ensure that all salt dough decorations are kept well out of reach and reach out for advice if you are concerned.

30/11/2024

Have you seen an interesting poisoning case in your vet practice that you have not contacted us about? We have an online questionnaire you can use to share this information. We will then add the details to our case database. The information will help us with toxicovigilance and may provide information that can aid in future cases.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QKH7KMJ

(Please note: we will not provide veterinary advice on these cases, they are for data/information collection purposes only. However if you do require advice, please call us!)

Alternatively you can also email us a summary of the case: [email protected]

26/11/2024

We are looking for a new cover photo for December, and we need your help!🎄🎅

We want to see your festive photos of your pet! Please comment below for a chance to feature for the month! 🌟

22/11/2024

The Veterinary Poisons Information Service is pleased to announce the following CPD course dates aimed at keeping vets and vet nurses up-to-date in small animal toxicology.

2025
Monday 10th March – Manchester
Tuesday 20th May – Cambridge
Wednesday 2nd July – London (VPIS Office – SE1 4PL)
Thursday 25th September – Cardiff
Friday 5th December – London (VPIS Office – SE1 4PL)

The course will cover:
🐾Case histories for potential poisons cases
🐾Decontamination for poisons cases
🐾Toxicology information resources
🐾Common or tricky poisonings in cats and dogs

To find out more or to book a place please visit https://www.vpisglobal.com/class-based-courses/ or email [email protected].

20/11/2024

Help raise awareness with one of our free promotional packs. These include an Animal PoisonLine poster and a selection of leaflets.

For veterinary practices, the pack will also include our triage flow chart .

Please comment below or email your postal address to receive a pack. Our email address is [email protected]

19/11/2024

Thank you to all those who came to visit us at London Vet Show last week, and congratulations to the winner of our toxic hamper competition!🐾

We had a lovely time and really enjoyed meeting everyone, as well as chatting more about the work that we do here at the Veterinary Poisons Information Service and Animal PoisonLine.

14/11/2024

Come and see us at London Vet Show! We are on stand N62🐾

05/11/2024

Benji!

Benji is a handsome 10 year old Rex rabbit. His owner contacted us after he decided to nibble on some milk chocolate cookies.
Although chocolate can be a risk if enough is ingested, on this occasion we were able to calculate that the amount he had eaten was not enough to be problem.
Benji did not need to visit the vet. We were delighted to hear from the owner that he has remained well since his biscuit theft!

31/10/2024

Happy Halloween from all of us!

We hope you all have a fun night , but please help to keep pets safe at this time. Keep sweets, pumpkins , decorations and candles out of reach .

30/10/2024

Meet Jasper!

Jasper is a very inquisitive 8 week old kitten. His owner recently contacted us after he stole some leeks from a plate. Leeks and other allium plants can cause gastrointestinal upset and anaemia if eaten in enough quantity . As Jasper is very small he needed to visit his vets for some treatment.
We are delighted that Jasper remained well and his owner has shared these lovely photos with us.

As Halloween is approaching, Jasper would also like to help us to remind you that pumpkins may cause sickness and diarrhoea in cats and dog if ingested. The bitter pumpkin varieties may cause more serious gastrointestinal upset with blood in the stool, and in rare cases liver and kidney injury - but these varieties are generally not found in shop bought pumpkins.