I often write in this column about substances that can be poisonous to our pets and how we treat them.

This weekend I came across one new to me.

I had heard from veterinary colleagues in Devon and Cornwall about a substance called palm oil washing up on beaches. Palm oil is a natural oil used in cooking and in the manufacture of other products, it is transported by ships and can be legally released at sea by these ships.

However, when it turns up on our beaches it is often solidified into a white or yellow mass which seems to be very attractive to dogs; it is very toxic in this form and can make dogs suffer from vomiting and diarrhoea, but it will also cause liver and kidney failure and there have been reports of deaths in dogs.

The dog that I saw on Saturday had been out walking at Ringstead and his owner had seen him eat some of the substance.

Luckily his owner spends time in Cornwall and had seen news reports about the dangers of palm oil, so he brought his Jack Russell straight down to the surgery and I was able to give it an injection to make it sick. Within minutes of being injected the dog had vomited a lot of lumpy, white palm oil and recovered well.

I would recommend Googling palm oil poisoning in dogs so you know what to look out for. If in doubt contact your vet.

Alice Moore

  • Alice Moore is a vet at The Southfield Veterinary Centre, South Walks, Dorchester. Tel: 01305 262913. The surgery is open for consultations between 8am and 6.30pm. Please contact the surgery if you have any questions about this week’s article or other veterinary matters.