A leading Basildon vet is warning pet owners of the potentially fatal dangers to cats and dogs of leaving cough and cold medicines lying around the house.

With winter in full swing, flu and colds are widespread and many people are stocking up on remedies and medicines.

But Kevin Wood, clinical director at Cherrydown Vets, which has bases in Basildon, Wickford and Stanford-le-Hope, is urging people to ensure they keep all such tablets, pills and tinctures well away from their animals.

In some cases, if an animal ingests the medicines they can be fatal.

Mr Wood said: “People should always assume that all human medications are poisonous to their pet, unless instructed otherwise by a veterinary surgeon.

“Human painkillers can cause intestinal problems, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea, bleeding disorders and even kidney or liver failure in pets like cats and dogs.

“The risk and reactions are so serious they may have to be admitted into hospital for intensive treatment.

“And always bear in mind that cats are even more susceptible than dogs to these toxicities and, unfortunately, they can be fatal.”

Medications such as Aspirin, Codeine, Paracetamol and Ibuprofen tablets, even children’s medicine Calpol, can all be very dangerous for pets.

People are urged to keep bottles of cough and cold medicines in closed containers, in a safe and secure place where animals can’t knock them over or break them.

Mr Wood, who also works at Cherrydown’s Wickford and Stanford-le-Hope practices, said: “Prevention is always the key, so my advice would be to keep all medications locked away and well out of pets’ reach.

“If you are worried about your pet then act immediately and call your vet using the emergency phone number if it’s out of hours.”

For more information, visit cherrydownvets.co.uk