Allwinds Dog First Aid

30/12/2025

www.allwindsdogfirstaid.co.uk

23/12/2025

🐾❤️

For any of our friends that need to hear this, some seasons take more strength than we admit.
If today feels heavy, that’s okay — keep going, even gently.
There’s more light ahead than it feels like right now ✨

Credit

23/12/2025

How much chocolate is too much chocolate?

🍫 Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which can affect the heart and the central nervous system, resulting in hyperactivity, a high heart rate, high blood pressure and high body temperature, as well as tremors.

🍫Theobromine is toxic to most animals, but dogs appear to be particularly sensitive.

🍫 Chocolate and chocolate-containing products can also contain a large amount of sugar, dairy and fat which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and potentially pancreatitis.

🍫 Cocoa powder has a very large amount of theobromine per gram, meaning only a small amount needs to be ingested before there is a risk of toxicity.

🍫 Dark chocolate contains more theobromine per gram than milk chocolate, making it much more of a toxicity risk.

🍫White chocolate contains such an insignificant amount of theobromine that a toxicity is very low risk, and a large ingestion is only likely to cause a gastrointestinal upset.

🍫Signs of a theobromine toxicity can occur 2-12 hours post ingestion.

So what should you do if your pet ingests chocolate this Christmas? 🎄🐶🐱

☎️ Call the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 ☎️

We can calculate the amount of theobromine your pet has been exposed to and the specific risks involved.

There are many cases where animals do not consume enough chocolate to pose a toxicity risk, so we always recommend seeking advice.

18/12/2025

Hydration - why it is important even in the winter

Hydration is vital for dogs year-round because water is the primary component of healthy, living cells (making up roughly 70–80% of a dog's body weight) and is essential for nearly every physiological function.

Staying hydrated can help with...
➡Temperature Regulation: Dogs cool down primarily through panting, which causes significant water loss through evaporation. Even in winter, water is needed to maintain a stable internal body temperature.
➡Digestion and Nutrient Transport: Water facilitates hydrolysis, the process of breaking down food into nutrients, and then transports these nutrients to cells. It also helps move waste through the system to prevent constipation.
➡Organ and Joint Health: Proper hydration flushes toxins from the kidneys and liver. It also cushions the brain and spinal cord and keeps joints lubricated, which is especially critical for older dogs or dogs with mobility issues in cold weather.
➡Cognitive Function: Adequate water intake supports blood flow to the brain, helping maintain focus, energy levels, and overall alertness.

Possible Causes of Winter Dehydration:
➡Dry Indoor Air: Central heating lowers humidity, drying out skin and respiratory passages, increasing moisture loss.
➡Reduced Thirst: Cold temperatures can suppress your dog's thirst, so they don't drink enough even when their body needs it.
➡Increased Activity in Snow: Playing in snow is physically demanding, leading to fluid loss through panting.
➡Respiratory Loss: Breathing in cold, dry air causes water loss through respiration.
➡Harmful Substances: Ingestion of rock salt or antifreeze can cause burns or illness, leading to dehydration.

How to Prevent It:
✅Offer Water Frequently: Keep fresh, clean water available, even if they don't seem to be drinking much.
For older dogs or dogs with mobility issues, have more than one bowl of water available so they don't have to go far to have a drink.
✅Add Wet Food: Mix in wet food or add water to kibble/dry food to boost fluid intake.

Check for Signs:
⚠Loss of Skin Elasticity: If you gently pinch the skin between the shoulders and lift slightly. It should "snap back" quickly in to it's normal position. If it doesn't, your dog may be dehydrated.
⚠Dry Gums and Nose: Gums should be pink and moist; dry or sticky gums can indicate dehydration.
⚠Lethargy: A sudden drop in energy or unusual weakness.
⚠Sunken Eyes: Eyes that appear dull or recessed.

15/12/2025

🪴🎄🍂 Christmas Plants 🪴🎄🍂

Many festive plants have a reputation for being highly toxic — but how worried should we be if our pets nibble on them? Here’s a quick guide to the common Christmas culprits:

🍂 Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) - A classic Christmas houseplant known for its bright colour. Although often believed to be highly toxic, serious poisoning is actually very rare. Mild ingestion may cause vomiting, salivation, lethargy, and depression shortly afterwards.

🪴Mistletoe (Viscum album ) - A native plant to the UK, and often used as Christmas decoration, it does contain toxic compounds but is considered to be of low toxicity following a small ingestion. Signs from a small ingestion can include salivation, vomiting and diarrhoea. Larger ingestions can result in more severe signs.

🍒 English Holly (Ilex aquifolium) - Common in Christmas decor. Toxicity is considered low, but the sharp, rigid leaves can pose a choking or injury risk. Ingestion may lead to salivation, vomiting, diarrhoea, and reduced appetite.

🎄Christmas trees (Pinaceae tree family) - THE plant to have at Christmas! Toxicity is generally low, though the sharp needles can irritate the mouth or stomach. Ingestion may cause vomiting or diarrhoea.

11/12/2025

THANKFUL THURSDAY

www.allwindsdogfirstaid.co.uk

10/12/2025

If your dog is on any form of medication, make sure you order this in plenty of time so you have enough to last through the festive period.

www.allwindsdogfirstaid.co.uk

09/12/2025

Thank you to everyone who braved the rain and joined us last night. Lovely as always to see you. We welcomed two new members, Wendy from Home From Home Canine Boarding and Georgia from Ace's Paws and More. We have a date for our next meet up...

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
Monday 9th March 2026 7pm
Worlds End Pub (between Wellington and Taunton) TA4 1ET
Are you...
In the dog/pet business? Do you run this on your own? Would you like to meet up with others doing the same thing for an informal get together? At the last meet up we, networked, shared ideas, had a laugh and ate good food! We even had some canine company too!. 🐾
You don't have to eat, (or drink) just come along for some friendly company for a few hours.
No need to book, just turn up.
We would love to see even more of you in March. 🐾🙂

07/12/2025

Small Business Sunday

So, I have borrowed this idea from a friend (thank you Claire from Pawsitively Peaceful )
As someone who runs a small business, most of the time I feel honoured and priviledged to be able to do what I do but, there are times when this can be a struggle and I am sure there are people out there who feel the same. Lets help each other out. On Small Business Sunday, if you have a pet related business, dog walking, grooming, trainer, hydrotherapist etc pop your details in the comments with any links, let us know who you are, what you do and we will follow you. All we ask is that you follow us back and any others who post their details. If you have popped by before, you can still add your details, let us know what you have been up to. Can't wait to see who drops by!
www.allwindsdogfirstaid.co.uk

03/12/2025

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
Monday 8th December 2025 7pm
Worlds End Pub (between Wellington and Taunton) TA4 1ET
Are you...
In the dog/pet business? Do you run this on your own? Would you like to meet up with others doing the same thing for an informal get together? At the last meet up we, networked, shared ideas, had a laugh and ate good food! We even had some canine company too!. 🐾
You don't have to eat, (or drink) just come along for some friendly company for a few hours.
Gentlemen, this isn't just for the ladies, you are more than welcome to join us!
No need to book, just turn up.
We would love to see even more of you at the December meet up!
Christmas attire optional!
www.allwindsdogfirstaid.co.uk