Rat Bait Poisoning

As winter settles in, rodents seek warmth indoors, inevitably leading to the laying of rat bait. These baits can pose a significant, often fatal, risk to our pets.

The Threat:

• Most rat baits contain Brodifacoum, a potent anticoagulant which disrupts natural blood clotting mechanisms.

• Symptoms of rat bait poisoning are often delayed and appear 2-3 days after ingestion with pets showing signs of lethargy, pale gums, coughing, or unexplained bruising and bleeding.

Pets at Risk:

• Dogs are highly susceptible due to their inquisitive nature and rat bait’s palatability.

• Cats are less commonly poisoned by directly eating rat bait but can be affected by eating poisoned rodents.

What to Do:

• Immediate veterinary attention is crucial. Call us immediately if you’ve seen your dog eat or suspect it has eaten rat bait. Inducing vomiting can be a highly effective first step to prevent absorption.

• The cornerstone treatment for anticoagulant rat bait poisoning is Vitamin K. Vitamin K restores the normal blood clotting function. Vitamin K must be given consistently for several weeks.

• In severe cases intravenous fluids or blood transfusions may also be required.

Prevention is Key:

• Always put rat bait in secure bait stations, positioned well out of the reach of children and animals.

• Traps are a great way to reduce risk.

Paper...scissors...ROCKS!

A young dog recently came into the clinic for vomiting. She was very bright and happy but had vomited multiple times and her owners were worried about her. She was sedated for an x-ray to check if she had eaten something she shouldn’t. Surprisingly, she had eaten 12 rocks! 11 were trapped in her stomach, with 1 passing all the way through her intestines. These rocks were not coming out on their own, so a surgery was performed to remove them from her stomach (a total of 550 grams!). After a few days in the clinic recovering, she is back home and\ with her family, who are careful to not let her chew on rocks anymore!

There are many reasons why a dog or cat might vomit, one of which is that they have eaten something and it has gotten stuck. If you suspect your dog has eaten something inedible (e.g a bone, stick, or rocks!!), please give us a call at the Veterinary Centre by the Big Blue Cross.

Larry & the Missing Chocolate

One afternoon, Larry the Labrador arrived at Veterinary Centre Oamaru with a guilty look and a very worried owner. In true Labrador fashion, Larry had helped himself to an entire block of Whittaker’s chocolate. Knowing that chocolate can be dangerous for dogs, the family didn’t wait for symptoms to appear and rushed Larry straight into the clinic.

Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine, which dogs are unable to process. Even small amounts can cause illness, and the darker the chocolate, the higher the risk.

At the clinic, Larry was treated and given medication to make him empty the contents of his stomach and, after a period of monitoring, he was able to head home later that day feeling much better.

Dogs that have eaten chocolate may show signs such as vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, panting, increased thirst, or a racing heart. In more severe cases, muscle tremors, seizures, or collapse can occur. Larry was lucky that his owners noticed the missing chocolate quickly and sought help straight away.

Chocolate is a big part of the Easter festivities at this time of the year. If you suspect your dog may have eaten chocolate or any other potentially harmful food, it is always best to contact your veterinary clinic as soon as possible.

What is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a common hormonal disorder in dogs, and less commonly diagnosed in cats. It occurs when the thyroid glands do not produce enough thyroid hormone, which is responsible for regulating metabolism.

In dogs, hypothyroidism most often affects middle-aged, medium to large breeds. Common signs include:

• Lethargy

• Weight gain despite no increase in appetite

• Thinning hair coat, hair loss

• Recurrent skin infections

• Intolerance to cold

Some dogs may also show behavioural changes such as:

• Reduced activity

• Mental dullness

Diagnosis involves a veterinary examination and blood testing to measure thyroid hormone levels. Because other illnesses can mimic hypothyroidism, careful interpretation of results is important.

Treatment is straightforward and highly effective. Affected dogs are prescribed a daily thyroid hormone replacement tablet (Forthyron). Most pets show improved energy within a few weeks, while skin and coat changes may take several months to resolve. Regular blood tests are required to monitor levels and ensure the correct dose.

With appropriate treatment and monitoring, dogs with hypothyroidism typically go on to live normal, healthy lives.

Skin Cancer in Pets

What every pet owner should know!

Skin cancer isn’t just something that affects people – our pets can get it too. Dogs and cats develop skin tumours more often than many owners realise, and while not every lump is dangerous, some can be serious if ignored.

Common signs to watch for include new lumps or bumps, sores that don’t heal, changes in the colour or size of existing growths, scabs that keep coming back, or areas your pet constantly licks or scratches. Skin cancer can look harmless at first, which is why regular checks are so important.

Some pets are more at risk than others. Light-coloured animals, pets with thin or short coats, and those that spend a lot of time in the sun are more prone—especially on areas like the nose, ears, belly, and eyelids. Older pets are also at higher risk, though skin cancer can occur at any age.

The good news is that early detection makes a huge difference. Many skin cancers can be treated successfully if caught early, often with minor surgery. That’s why vets recommend having any new or changing lump checked, even if it doesn’t seem to bother your pet.

You can help protect your pet by limiting intense sun exposure, especially during peak hours, and using pet-safe sunscreen on vulnerable areas as recommended by your vet. Most importantly, make a habit of gently checking your pet’s skin while grooming or cuddling—it’s one of the simplest ways to spot problems early.

When it comes to skin cancer, “wait and see” isn’t worth the risk. If something doesn’t look right, trust your instincts and talk to one of our blue cross vet. A quick check could make all the difference for your pet’s health and comfort.

Heat Stroke can be Life Threatening!

Now that summer has arrived, it is important to make sure your dogs, cats, rabbits and other furry friends have access to plenty of drinking water and shade to escape the heat if they are getting too hot.

NEVER leave your animal in the car on a hot day. An outside temperature of 24 degrees can jump to 34 degrees in just 10min.

Signs of heat stroke include restlessness, agitation, whining, panting, foaming at the mouth or drooling, elevated heart rate, muscle tremors and red gums.

If your pet is showing signs of heat stroke - first hose them down with water, give them a drink, pop them in the shade and call us immediately at the Veterinary Centre by the Big Blue Cross for further assistance, as this can be life threatening.

BEWARE - Sue's Barley Grass Case

Sue, a very active 6-year-old cocker spaniel, presented to The Veterinary Centre with recurrent paw licking and discomfort after a weekend away at the lakes.

On examination, a small weeping hole was seen between the toes. A migrating barley grass awn was identified as the most likely culprit.

Barley grass is notorious in active dogs, especially hairy dogs. Embedding in paws, ears, or skin it migrates through soft tissue, causing inflammation, infection, or abscess formation.

Early detection is critical to prevent severe complications. Sue underwent an aneasthetic and the grass awn was successfully located and removed. She recovered fully after a course of anti-inflammatories and antibiotics.

If you notice a weeping foot wound or your pet has a bit of a head tilt or shaking their heads please contact our clinic’s.

You can protect your pet by:

• Avoiding areas with tall seeding grass.

• Clipping long-haired dogs, especially the ears and paws will aid in prevention.

• If your dog has been on an adventure check their coat carefully, removing any seeds. Look behind the ears, around the head and eyes, in the ‘armpits’, groins and between the toes.

Lucy's Itchy Skin - The Importance of Skin Testing

Many skin conditions look the same on the surface. This is why, with most skin cases, your vet will take samples of the skin to look at under the microscope and may send some off to the laboratory.

Lucy is a great example of this. She had been initially treated with medication designed to reduce the irritation but then had gone through periods of getting better and worse.

When she came to the Veterinary Centre it was not possible to tell what was wrong with her skin just by looking.

Microscopic examination showed a mild infection, but the key was to send a sample off to the laboratory to ensure she didn’t have fungal disease. Sure enough, Lucy had an unusual and severe type of ringworm that affected her but not only her, anyone around her. The inhouse test we used (looking at the fur under UV light) had been negative and so getting the laboratory sample had been vital to her diagnosis.

Lucy was then started on an appropriate medication for her condition and is now a much happier dog. Even though her hair loss and skin colour changes are permanent, Lucy is now recovering well and living in comfort.

Skin conditions can be ongoing and frustrating and developing a team approach between pet, owner and veterinarian is key.

Ernie’s Road to Recovery - A Case of Feline Urethral Obstruction

Ernie, a six-year-old male cat, was presented to our clinic with classic signs of feline lower urinary

tract disease (FLUTD) – lethargy, vocalisation, and repeated straining in the litter tray. The diagnosis was a urethral obstruction, a potentially life-threatening emergency commonly affecting neutered male cats due to their narrower urethra.

Prompt medical intervention was critical. Ernie received intravenous fluids, analgesia, and underwent a urethral catheterisation and bladder decompression. After surgery the vets and nurses continued to monitor and offer supportive care. Ernie responded well and was soon discharged to recover comfortably at home.

To help prevent a recurrence, Ernie was transitioned onto Royal Canin Urinary S/O, a veterinary-exclusive diet scientifically formulated to dissolve struvite crystals and reduce the risk of both struvite and calcium oxalate stone formation. The diet also encourages increased water intake and dilutes the urine—key factors in minimising the likelihood of future obstructions.

Since starting his new diet, Ernie has shown excellent progress. His urinary habits have normalised, and his overall wellbeing has markedly improved. His owners remain attentive, but Ernie continues to thrive.

Ernie’s case underscores the vital role of timely intervention and ongoing nutritional management in FLUTD. Therapeutic diets like Royal Canin Urinary S/O are integral to long-term success in managing this common but serious condition.

Ruff's Heartache

Ruff, a dog in his senior years, got into a bit of a fight with another dog. None of his wounds were too serious so after a clean-up his owner didn’t think too much more about them.

He presented to the clinic a few days later because some of his wounds weren’t healing as expected and he had started to become unwell. He was admitted into the Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital for supportive care and antibiotics. Within a day he developed a quiet heart murmur that continued to worsen.

We performed an echocardiogram (a cardiac ultrasound) which showed that he had a growth of bacteria (endocarditis) growing on one of the valves of his heart. The infection from his bites spread via his bloodstream, causing his heart to work less efficiently.

Ruff was promptly put onto intravenous antibiotics and some supportive heart medication to which he responded amazingly. Ruff has made a good recovery and is back to enjoying his daily walks with his owner around their farm.