A veterinary clinic has issued a warning to dog owners about the potential dangers of their pets consuming acorns.
The alert, shared by Seadown Vets in Hampshire on social media, follows several incidents where dogs required surgery to remove acorns lodged in their intestines.
One of the affected pets, a four-month-old black Labrador named Merlin, had to undergo an operation but has since made a full recovery.
Veterinary surgeon Catherine Boeree said the recent surge in such cases was unusual, attributing it to the unusually large number and size of acorns this year. “They’re certainly bigger than usual — three cases in three weeks is a lot,” she remarked.
Merlin’s owner, veterinary nurse Jemima Downing, brought him to the clinic after noticing he was vomiting and refusing food. When anti-sickness treatment didn’t work, x-rays revealed a blockage in his small intestine that required surgery.
“I was really emotional,” Ms. Downing said. “I’d only had him a couple of months, and he’s still such a baby. It was distressing, but I knew surgery was the right decision.”
Although her garden contains oak trees, she hadn’t considered acorns a possible cause. “Usually it’s things like stones or bits of toys,” she said. “When I found out it was an acorn, I was surprised. But this year, the ground is just covered in them.”
Acorns contain toxins that can harm animals such as cattle and horses, though dogs are less affected unless they consume large amounts.
“They can be poisonous, but dogs rarely eat enough for it to become toxic,” explained Ms. Boeree. “Most dogs don’t chew lots of acorns — they tend to swallow them whole, which is what leads to blockages.”
She advised owners to watch for prolonged vomiting, especially lasting more than six to twelve hours, as a possible sign an acorn has become stuck. Smaller dogs are at greater risk, she added, since larger dogs can often pass acorns without issue.
According to Ms. Boeree, prevention depends largely on the dog’s temperament. “It’s unrealistic to keep every dog on a lead for months while acorns are falling,” she said. “But if your dog tends to eat things it shouldn’t, keep a close eye on them — or consider using a muzzle, as Jemima now does with Merlin.”