COVID-19 is throwing all sorts of surprises at us these days, the latest one that I read was in the “Veterinary Poisons Information Service” monthly newsletter; now that lots of people are receiving Covid-19 rapid tests through the post the Poisons Information Service have received several enquiries about pets chewing and ingesting these packs.

Luckily, the good news is that these packs only contain a few millilitres of buffering agent or extraction solution and they appear to contain no hazardous ingredients.

Some test kits contain an isothiazolinone preservative, but the concentration is extremely low and so not an issue; the Service would not expect any toxic hazard from these test kits.

I have written lots of times about the wonder that is the Veterinary Poisons Information Service, as well as having the Animal PoisonLine for pet owners, they have a 24-hour emergency vet line that we can use.

They have a vast wealth of experience in every conceivable toxin.

For example, today I saw young pup that had managed to eat 40 of his owner’s thyroid tablets.

He was brought straight to the surgery along with the details of what he had eaten, and we were able to speak to the Poisons Unit straight away.

Amazingly they had 16 reported cases of these particular tablets being eaten by other dogs and knew exactly what needed to be done and what the toxicity levels were. There is nowhere else you would find that depth of knowledge of toxins.

Understandably there is a charge for the service, but I would say it is worth its weight in gold; today’s puppy was treated and suffered no ill effects.

Alice Moore is a vet at Castle Veterinary Clinic, Dorchester and Weymouth. Tel 01305 267083