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BBQ injury figures prompt vets to issue warning
More than half of vets (56 per cent) treated injuries as a result of pets eating corn on the cob.
Corn on the cob found to be the most common cause of injury
 
A quarter of vets treated pets for barbecue-related injuries last summer, with corn on the cob being the most common culprit, according to new figures from the BVA.

More than half of vets (56 per cent) treated injuries as a result of pets eating corn on the cob. This was followed closely by damage to the mouth and internal injuries from kebab skewers and cooked bones (53 per cent).

One vet responding to the survey warned: ‘Owners still think corn on the cob is “natural” so it can’t cause issues, but I have seen worse gut reactions to corn on the cobs than to pointy toys, cocktail picks or remote controls.’

Vets also reported treating dogs for burns as a result of eating hot food off the grill (seven per cent) or touching the barbecue/hot coals (five per cent).

Several vets reported seeing cases of gastrointestinal upset or pancreatitis from pets being fed too much greasy food. In one more extreme case, a puppy died from inhalation pneumonia when it tried to swallow a burger but inhaled it instead.

Other cases mentioned include a dog that required surgery to remove an obstruction caused by a corn on the cob and the metal skewers used to hold it. Another dog was suspected of having a neoplastic tumour, which was later found to be a 16cm kebab skewer.

BVA’s junior vice president Daniella Dos Santos said: “Dogs are well known scavengers and will eat anything they think is a tasty morsel. Corn itself is not poisonous to dogs, but a cob can cause an obstruction which can have devastating effects on the digestive system, such as intestinal rupture.

“Symptoms of gastrointestinal blockage include vomiting, inappetence, lethargy and pain. If an owner has any concerns that their dog has eaten something it should not have done, we'd advise contacting a local vet immediately.

“We’d also urge anyone having a barbecue this summer to keep other greasy meats, kebab skewers and bones well out of reach of inquisitive pets, as these can cause serious injury or illness that often require medical treatment or even surgery.

“If you’re having a barbecue in a public space like a park, please clean up any leftover food and skewers to make sure other dogs don’t accidentally swallow them.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.