Dog owners warned about poisonous objects that start appearing on ground in September
Conkers are a common item that can be found across the UK each year. They are the large seeds of the horse chestnut tree, appearing shiny and red-brown in colour. The appearance of conkers usually mark the arrival of autumn and start falling off trees in late September and October.
Conkers have been used for generations as part of a traditional child's game, where players have to try and smash the other person's conker. Although they sound innocent enough, conkers are actually poisonous to dogs.
That's because the round seeds contain a toxin called aesculin which can cause vomiting and upset stomachs in dogs. If enough are enough, the effect can be serious and even deadly in extreme cases.
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The warning has been made by dog experts at Kennel Store, which has provided a list of symptoms that could indicate your dog has eaten them:
Vomiting, which may contain blood
Diarrhoea
Drooling
Abdominal pain
Increased thirst
Refusing food
Not walking in a straight line
Restlessness
Wobbliness
Muscle tremors
Struggling to move
Symptoms can range of severity, depending on the amount of conkers eaten and the size of your dog. If left untreated, conker poisoning can lead to toxic shock , respiratory paralysis and even death.
The Kennel Store experts recommend contacting your vet if you believe your dog has eaten conkers. Even if you're unsure they've eaten one but they are displaying signs of poisoning, it's still recommended speaking to your vet.
The experts said: "Note the time and how many conkers you suspect your dog to have eaten. Never attempt to make your dog sick as this can be dangerous and cause other issues."