Spring is on the way, and for many, this will mean placing bright bunches of daffodils around the house. One dog owner however has learned the hard way just how toxic these flowers can be for dogs, and has advised others to keep them well out of reach.
Lively pooch Agatha assumed the bunch of daffs left on the dining table were a tasty treat left out for her to enjoy, and craftily used a chair as a springboard to leap up for a bite.
The adorable springer spaniel poodle cross had no clue whatsoever that the pretty spring flowers are in fact poisonous to dogs, and can even prove fatal if ingested.
Agatha's owner Lynsey Harris was also blissfully unaware that the national flower of Wales could be so very harmful to dogs, containing several toxic chemicals that can lead to severe vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as heart and circulation issues.
Lynsey, of Newport, South Wales, recalled: "I was on the phone to a friend and said, 'You'll never guess what Agatha's done now. She's eaten the daffodils off the table!'
"It was my friend who told to me that daffodils are actually toxic to dogs, which came as a total surprise. When we first got Agatha I read up on all sorts of risks to dog health but the danger to your pet from a bunch of daffodils never cropped up."
Just as Lynsey was ringing up Vets Now for advice, two-year-old Agatha began vomiting violently. Moments later, the pair were heading over to a 24-hour pet emergency clinic for treatment.
Agatha was checked over by the team, and it was thankfully established that, as she'd already been sick, there was less risk of her absorbing enough toxin for there to be any serious threat to her vital organs.
Fortunately, Agatha was soon well enough to return home, with vets giving Lysney some liquid charcoal doses to squirt down her poorly pooch's throat to stop her from absorbing anything else left in her tummy.
Within a day or so, Agatha was back to her usual, playful self, bounding around the house and prowling in the garden.
According to Lynsey: "It was a massive relief to get Agatha home safe and sound. Just two days after bringing Agatha home from the breeder as a tiny puppy she nearly died from a worm infestation and had to have 14cm of intestines removed.
"It was really life and death for her and it was Vets Now who looked after her then. Having been through that scary experience, I was fearing for the worst when this happened."
With Mother's Day and St David's Day both coming up this month, Lynsey has urged other owners to make sure they're aware of how damaging just one or two daffodils can be for a dog.
Lynsey continued: "I've learned my lesson here – and hopefully this will raise awareness for other owners of what a serious issue this is.
"But I don't think Agatha has learned her lesson. She’d probably do it again if she got the chance – which she won't because I'm keeping flowers well out of her reach! She is quite stubborn and always eating something she shouldn't!
"Recently we were back at Vets Now for a third time after she ate some play sand from the garden and I really am hoping that's the last time we need to go. We've had excellent care each time – but enough is enough!"
Iwona Szmycl from the Vets Now clinic in Newport where Agatha was treated: "We've got to know Agatha very well – she's such a funny character.
"Daffodils look so innocent but they can be toxic for dogs and with St David's Day and Mother's Day coming up it's worth everyone bearing that in mind. And if your dog does manage to eat daffodils, please do what Lynsey did and seek vet help straightaway."
Those who suspect their pet has eaten something which could harm them should contact their vet for advice as soon as possible.
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