Allwinds Dog First Aid

04/11/2026

Huge congratulations to all those who took part in our dog first aid course at the weekend. A special shout out to Hollie who came all the way from Reading to join us!! Many thanks to Jayne from Pilning village hall for hosting once again. If you missed out this time, Jayne is hosting another course on Sunday the 7th February 2027. 10am until 6pm. Contact Jayne on 07491 475460 to book. 🐾

03/11/2026

TOP TIP TUESDAY

Save This Number To Your Mobile Phone!

Animal PoisonLine is run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) and is the only 24-hour specialised emergency telephone service in the UK dedicated to helping pet owners who are worried their pet may have been exposed to something harmful or poisonous.

Based on the information you provide their vets and scientists will be able to tell you if you need to go to the vets for immediate treatment or whether they can save you the trip.The VPIS have experience in thousands of toxic substances in all animals and cover everything from human drugs, household and garden products, plants, agricultural chemicals to venomous bites and stings.

Save this number to your mobile phone so it is at the touch of a button should you need it!

02/11/2026

31/10/2026

The dangers of a handbag or bags left in easy reach of dogs.

How many of us habitually put our handbags/bags on the floor, the back of a chair or a counter top putting these within easy paws reach, completely forgetting that some of its contents are hidden hazards for our dogs?

Top Toxic Hazards in Handbags

⚠ Sugarless Chewing gum and Mints/Breath freshners: Often contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can trigger rapid, life threatening liver failure and dangerously low blood sugar in dogs.
⚠ Medications: Prescription or over-the-counter pills (such as ibuprofen, antidepressants, or heart medication) can cause drowsiness, severe poisoning, organ failure, seizures or death if chewed or swallowed. The effects can vary from dog to dog depending on how much of the drug has been ingested.
⚠ Asthma Inhalers: Puncturing a plastic inhaler can cause the dog to absorb a massive, toxic dose of medication, leading to dangerous heart arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm) and rapid heart rates.
⚠ Ci******es and E-Cigarette Products: Ingesting to***co or liquid ni****ne refills causes severe ni****ne poisoning, resulting in vomiting, tremors, seizures, or cardiac arrest.
⚠ Hand Sanitisers: Many alcohol-based gels smell appealing or sweet, and licking them can lead to alcohol poisoning.
⚠ Contraceptive pills: Ingestion of these oills often don't cause too much of an alarm but a large amount may cause a nasty tummy upset.
⚠ Snacks: Snacks containing chocolate can be very toxic for dogs. It can depend on the type of chocolate and the amount ingested. It can cause, upset tummy, agitation and an increase in heart rate.

Physical and Choking Dangers

⚠ Foreign Objects: Loose coins, lip balms, pens, gum wrappers, and small electronics can cause choking or severe gastrointestinal blockages requiring emergency surgery.
⚠ The Bag Itself: Chewing on or swallowing pieces of plastic lining, drawstrings, or fabric can twist or block the intestines.

Safety Tips

✅ Keep Bags Out of Reach: Always store handbags, backpacks, bags and coats up high on hooks, or behind closed doors rather than on the floor.
✅ Zip Pockets Closed: Ensure small pill containers or gum packs are tightly secured either inside a sturdy container or, inside inner zipped compartments.

28/10/2026

Early morning walk. 🐾

28/10/2026

Dangers of Fallen Fruit

In the UK, at autumn time, fallen fruit can pose several dangers to dogs, primarily due to fermentation, toxic seeds, stones, and mould.

⚠Alcohol poisoning
As fruit rots and ferments on the ground, its natural sugars produce ethanol (alcohol). If a dog ingests fermented fruit, it can cause alcohol poisoning, with symptoms appearing within an hour.
➡Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, disorientation, wobbliness, tremors, and in severe cases, seizures or coma.

⚠Toxic seeds and stones
The pits, seeds, and stones of many common fruits, particularly stone fruits, can be hazardous.
⚠Cyanide poisoning: The seeds and stones of apples, cherries, plums, peaches, and apricots contain a compound called amygdalin, which releases cyanide when crushed or chewed.
⚠Obstruction: Hard, indigestible stones can cause blockages in the digestive system, especially in smaller dogs. A blockage can be life-threatening and may require emergency surgery.
⚠Choking: The size and shape of stones can also pose a choking hazard.

⚠Mould and harmful toxins
Mould can quickly develop on fallen fruit, producing mycotoxins that are dangerous to dogs.
➡Symptoms: Ingestion of mouldy food can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, tremors and seizures.

⚠Digestive upset - Even if the fruit itself is not toxic, consuming a large quantity of overly ripe or unfamiliar fruit can cause digestive issues.
➡Symptoms: Bloating, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Preventing access to fallen fruit:
✅Clear your garden regularly
✅Supervise dogs on walks closely
✅Secure compost to keep dogs out

Contact your vet immediately if you think your dog has eaten any fallen fruit.

27/10/2026

SEASONAL CANINE ILLNESS
Seasonal Canine Illness (SCI) is a rare condition that affects dogs in the autumn (commonly September but can been seen through to November) who have recently walked in a woodland type area. There is no known cause and no known cure and, it can affect any dog. For some, it can be fatal.
Symptoms can show between 1 and 3 days which can include:
⚠️ Vomiting
⚠️ Diarrhoea
⚠️ Loss of Appetite
⚠️Lethergy
⚠️ Tummy Pain
⚠️ Muscle Tremors or shaking
⚠️ Temperature

Remember, these can be symptoms of other illness but contact your vet as soon as possible should you see any of these signs especially if you have recently been on a woodland walk.