Pet poisonings on the increase

Pet owners are being urged to ensure medication is securely stored around the house following a large increase in reports of pet poisonings.

The potentially fatal mishap is a growing problem across the UK, with a 34% year-on-year increase in reported cases to VetfoneTM - a 24-hour advice line available to M&S Pet Insurance customers.

Vetfone is manned by qualified veterinary nurses who can give concerned animal lovers immediate advice on a pet's condition. Around 70% of calls to the service by M&S Money customers are made out of normal veterinary hours.

One of the major increases of poisonings seen involves nicotine-based products, including nicotine patches, chewing gum and inhalers.

The toxic dose of nicotine in dogs is five milligrams per pound pet bodyweight and a dose of 10mg/lb can be lethal. While a cigarette contains 15-25 milligrams of nicotine, nicotine patches can contain much more at between 8-114 milligrams of nicotine and even nicotine inhalers contain around 10 milligrams of nicotine.

Signs of toxicity are dose-dependent and include tremors, weakness, depression and vomiting.

Vetfone Operations Manager & Senior Emergency Vet Nurse, Louise O'Dwyer, said: "It is very concerning that there has been such a large increase in reported pet poisonings.

"Nicotine poisoning can be particularly serious. Remember prevention is better than cure, so ensure products such as cigarettes, nicotine patches and gums and even ashtrays containing cigarette butts are kept away from your pets reach."

M&S Money Insurance Manager, Judith Roberts, said: "Anyone who suspects that their pet has swallowed household medication should first try and identify what's been eaten, by recovering packaging such as blister packs or boxes and then seek immediate veterinary advice.

"M&S Pet Insurance policyholders can rest assured that a qualified veterinary expert is available round the clock to provide advice and answer questions should a pet become unwell."

M&S Pet Insurance features include:

Lifetime cover, providing you renew your policy each year and cover continues to be made available to you
No upper age limit
Up to £7,000 a year in vets' fees for illness and injury
No time limit on treatment as long as your policy is in force
Premier and Standard cover available
M&S Pet Insurance Premier Cover has been Five-Star Rated for features and benefits by Defaqto, an independent research company
Save 15% when you apply online (available to new customers only)
All customers have access to Vetfone and Bestpet Pharmacy
5% multi pet discount
M&S Cardholders will earn 250 M&S points, when they take out a new policy

For more information about M&S Pet Insurance or to apply, customers can visit marksandspencer.com/petinsurance