Tuesday 13 August 2013

Dark Mission series by Karina Cooper

So I read the first two novellas, Before the Witches and No Rest for the Witches, thanks to Netgalley. When I read the first, I loved the build up to the disaster and the break down of the world, and I vowed to read the rest of the series .... then I forgot (my bad!) and the 2nd novella became available so I read it (I did try to get the first 2 books in the series to catch up but I think I had some trouble at the time - I believe this was my pre-Kindle stage) and loved it but then realised how much I'd actually missed by not reading the first 2 books. This series (along with a couple others) is the reason I then bought a Kindle, some books were just too hard to get if you weren't a Kindle owner.

I then added the whole series to my wishlist and bought the first 3 a little later but got caught up in other stuff and never started reading them until fairly recently. As soon as I started the 3rd book, I jumped onto Amazon and bought the rest of the series so I could continue as Karina wanted - all in a one-r. I then kicked myself very hard for leaving this series for so damn long - it's fab! But partway through book 4 or 5, I decided I'd make this a big joint review of all the books and the series as a whole rather than a review of each individual book.

Before the Witches

In America, they didn't care about witches. But all that was about to change.

Katya Zhuvova fled a country that feared her gifts, but her escape to Seattle left her at the mercy of a ruthless man. With no one left to turn to, Katya hatches a desperate escape plan. Undercover Detective Nigel Ferris is determined to bring down a prostitution ring, whatever the cost. In order to the get answers he needs, he attempts to win the trust of one of the prostitutes involved - but one look at the deceptively sultry Katya and the cool, objective cop disappears. Before either can put their plans into place, Mother Nature shrugs: a cataclysm rocks Seattle, and life is turned upside down.

Brought together by chance, Nigel and Katya are in the fight for their lives. Surrounded by death and fear, shattered by immeasurable loss, they have only a bond forged in fire to cling to as they struggle to survive in a world gone straight to hell.


Blood of the Wicked


When the world went straight to hell, humanity needed a scapegoat to judge, to blame ... to burn.

As an independent witch living off the grid, Jessie Leigh has spent her life running, trying to blend in among the faceless drudges in the rebuilt city. She thought she was finally safe, but now she's been found in a New Seattle strip club - by a hard-eyed man on a mission to destroy her kind.

A soldier of the Holy Order, Silas Smith believes in the cause: trawling the fringes of society for the murderous witches who threaten what's left of the world. Forced into a twisting web of half-truths and lies, he has to stay close to the most sensuous and electrifying woman he has ever seen and manipulate her into leading him to the he witch he has to kill: her brother. Silas doesn't know that Jessie's his enemy, only that he wants her, needs her, even as he lies to her ... and must protect her until his final breath.


Lure of the Wicked

Naomi West was plucked from one prison and placed undercover in another: the gilded cage that is Timeless, New Seattle's premier spa and resort, where owner Phinneas Clarke - the most seductive man Naomi has ever met - may be hiding a killer. She's an agent of the Holy Order, trained to hunt the guilty and render justice. But while she's tracking down a rogue agent on a killing spree, Phin is determined to uncover her most damning - and dangerous - secrets. Whatever the cost.





No Rest for the Witches


New Seattle is changing. Witches and witch hunters have become allies, and the Order's grip on the city is slipping. But they won't go down without a fight ...

After the disastrous end to their last mission, Jessie, Silas, and Naomi regroup at their sanctuary far beneath New Seattle. But their brief rest is shattered when Jessie "sees" two of their own attacked topside. Dodging bullets and black magic, they risk it all on a treacherous rescue mission. Already stretched to the limit, danger waits in unexpected corners. If the Holy Order finds them, the team is as good as dead. But they can't hide forever ...



All Things Wicked

Juliet Carpenter thought of the coven as family, but when she falls for a man who betrays them all, she's left alone and desperately searching for a reason why. Caleb Leigh has spent the past year in hiding, unable to escape his demons. When Juliet finds him again, her need for vengeance clashes with the hunger still burning between them.

It's a fight born from the embers of a half-forgotten attraction and the wounds of a past too raw to ignore. With enemies circling and secrets threatening to consume them, Caleb has no choice but to fulfill a promise made long ago - protect her, save her. Even if it costs him his blood, his body ... and what's left of his mind.


Sacrifice the Wicked


Parker Adams has always done what’s expected of her ... until a double agent with nothing to lose ignites a passion she doesn't dare give in to.

Mission Agent Simon Wells is everything Parker Adams has been trained to fight: manipulator, murderer, spy ... witch. But for her, what makes Simon most dangerous is his mesmerising sexual magnetism, powerful enough to tempt even the famed ice queen of the Mission. Though she knows better, each encounter with the deceptive agent leaves her craving more.

Simon isn't a man to let go of what's his, and his pursuit forces Parker, a woman he can't get out from under his skin, to make a stand that could destroy her. If they can work together, they might survive the politics that have enslaved their devastated world - or fall victim to the pitfalls of desperation, bone-deep mistrust, and a hunger that threatens to consume them.


Wicked Lies

In this Dark Mission novella, Jonas Stone emerges from the shadows into his own story, and finally allows himself to have the same shot at love he's given his friends.

Jonas Stone has been given his first independent operation: rescue the insurrection leader's imprisoned grandson from the Mission. Getting the job done means more than getting Danny Granger out - it means staying with him while he heals. Staying too close, for way too long.

Danny is everything Jonas isn't: confident, optimistic, honest - a man to be reckoned with. If only it didn't mean going against everything Jonas has planned. He's kept his secrets for years, hid behind a mask no one could see through ... until now. Danny isn't the kind of man Jonas deserves. But he might be exactly the man he needs ...


One for the Wicked


Dr. Kayleigh Lauderdale possesses the only cure for what's killing the city's witches. Desperate to acquire it, the resistance sends their best agent, but Shawn Lowe has his own agenda, and it doesn't include saving anyone - least of all, the daughter of his sworn enemy. He has to ignore the blistering attraction he feels the instant they meet, because he can't give in until he gets what he wants. He just never counted on wanting her ...

Kayleigh can't believe how out of control Shawn makes her feel. He lies to her with one breath and excites her beyond reason the next. A reckless encounter could steal her heart, while the danger hovering over the city may prove too much for either of them to handle. When the world turns upside down, it will take everything Kayleigh and Shawn have to hold on ... to life, to hope, to each other.


I've already said it in the review for Before the Witches but I'm going to say it again - I love this world. I love that Karina ripped our world apart and broke us down, she took the human race back to the times of witch fearing and burning. To a time of the Inquisition where people just needed to blame someone and witches were too against the "word of god" or whatever.

The Mission take orphans and raise them to be missionaries - witch hunters. The witches keep hidden and try to survive.  Each book in the series brings us a relationship that's against the odds, a couple that shouldn't be coming together under difficult situations.

I highly recommend this series.  In a way, I'm glad I waited until the last book was out before I read it because it meant I didn't have that agonising wait between releases.  But I'm still sad the series is done, it was a good series and I feel like there still might be story to tell - hopefully Karina Cooper may bring us future novellas from the world.  In the meantime, I'll be trying out her St. Croix Chronicles series.


Book Depository:
Before the Witches
Blood of the Wicked
Lure of the Wicked
No Rest for the Witches
All Things Wicked
Sacrifice the Wicked
Wicked Lies
One for the Wicked
Amazon UK:
Before the Witches
Blood of the Wicked
Lure of the Wicked
No Rest for the Witches
All Things Wicked
Sacrifice the Wicked
Wicked Lies
One for the Wicked

Sunday 4 August 2013

Do you know what could poison your pet?

Every so often a case comes into work that prompts me to write a blog post about it.  This time I decided to write about poisonous things that you may or may not know are poisonous, either in your house or when you're out walking the dog.

I used the BSAVA/VPIS Guide to Common Canine and Feline Poisons to help me.  It was put together by the BSAVA and the VPIS to aid Veterinary practices.  We can contact the VPIS at any time for advice on a case but they decided to put this book together using their most common cases.

Obviously, this list is very limited.  There are a great many poisonous things out there, and I've chosen to only list a few drugs but, generally speaking, if you're pet eats any of your medication you should contact your Vet as soon as possible.  Not every medication is bad but most of them can lead to problems, especially if ingested in excess.

I've also not listed any actual poisons, for example slug and rat bait, weed and plant killer.  I felt those were kind of obvious but in case they're not ...... THEY'RE POISONOUS!  If your pet ingests any of them or gets them on their coat, contact your Vet as soon as possible.

Another one I've not listed but is common, especially in the winter, is Ethylene Glycol (Antifreeze), it is sweet tasting so pets want to lick it and it is EXTREMELY toxic to them.

As I said, this list is limited, I've tried to keep it to common and/or household toxins.  I'll be listing the onset times of clinical signs as well as what the clinical signs are.  In those lists there may be some words you don't know, I have made a list at the end of any words I think readers may have trouble with.  If there's a word you don't know and I haven't listed it at the end, let me know in the comments.

So on with the list, to keep it simple I'll be using the alphabet as my guide.


Alcohol (Ethanol) poisoning in dogs

Onset of clinical signs within 1-2 hours

Common signs are
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Excitability & agitation then depression
  • Ataxia
  • Vocalisation
  • Drowsiness

Other signs are
  • Coma
  • Hyperthermia
  • Hypoglycaemia
  • Urinary incontinence

Treatment of alcohol toxicity
  • Induction of emesis
  • Monitor & correct hypoglycaemia if present
  • Supportive care



Alkali poisoning in cats

Alkalis are present in a number of household products – drain cleaners, oven cleaners, paint stripper, dishwasher products

Onset of clinical signs soon after exposure (as quick as minutes), burns may be painless initially and not immediately evident. Burn onset is dependent on the concentration and volume of alkali and the duration of contact

Common signs are
With ingestion:
  • Burning pain in mouth, oesophagus & stomach
  • Swelling of lips
  • Vomiting
  • Haematemesis
  • Hypersalivation
  • Ulcerative mucosal burns
  • Dyspnoea
  • Dysphagia
  • Shock
Skin/eye contact:
  • Deep penetrating burns and necrosis

Other signs are
  • Acute complications such as gastrointestinal haemorrhage
  • Upper airway obstruction
  • Oesophageal stricture

Treatment of alkali toxicity or burns
With ingestion:
  • Oral fluids unless severe injury indicates otherwise
  • Endoscopy to assess degree of injury
  • Analgesia
  • Supportive care
Skin/eye contact:
  • Irrigation
  • Frequent pH testing and further irrigation if required
  • Supportive care



Caffeine toxicity in dogs

Onset of clinical signs within 1-3 hours

Dogs with cardiac disease are at a higher risk

Common signs are
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Tachycardia
  • Ataxia
  • Tachypnoea
  • Hyperthermia
  • Diuresis
  • Dilated pupils
  • Polydipsia
  • Hyperaesthesia
  • Excitation
  • Hyperactivity
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Agitation
  • Twitching
  • Convulsions

Other signs are
  • Hypertension
  • Cyanosis
  • Coma

Treatment of caffeine toxicity
  • Oral activated charcoal
  • Hydration & anti-emetics if required
  • Treat hyperactivity and convulsions if required
  • Supportive care



Chocolate toxicity in dogs

Theobromine is the name of the toxic part of chocolate. The darker the chocolate the more Theobromine per gram. Dogs are also at risk from the use of cocoa shells instead of, for example, bark in gardens.

Onset of clinical signs usually within 4 hours, sometimes up to 24 hours

Common signs are
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal tenderness
  • Hypersalivation
  • Polydipsia
  • Polyuria
  • Excitability
  • Tachycardia (sometimes bradycardia)
  • Ataxia
  • Mild hypertension

Other signs are
  • Muscle rigidity
  • Tremors
  • Convulsions
  • Tachypnoea
  • Hyperthermia
  • Cyanosis
  • Renal dysfunction

Treatment for chocolate toxicity if >9g/kg milk chocolate ingested or >1.25g/kg dark chocolate ingested
  • Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
  • Hydration & anti-emetics if required
  • Supportive care


Colchicium Autumnale ingestion in dogs (Wiki page on Colchicum Autumnale)

Alternative names
  • Colchicium
  • Autumn crocus
  • Meadow saffron

Onset of clinical signs within 48 hours

Common signs are
  • Gastrointestinal irritation
  • Hyperthermia
  • Renal impairment
  • Liver impairment

Other signs are
  • Weakness
  • Dehydration
  • Recumbency
  • Collapse
  • Shock secondary to gastrointestinal irritation

Treatment of colchicium autumnale ingestion
  • Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
  • Intravenous fluids
  • Gut protectants
  • Repeated blood samples to check renal and hepatic function
  • Supportive care



Cordyline & Dracaena ingestion in cats (Wiki page on Cordyline and Wiki page on Dracaena)

Onset of clinical signs within a few hours

Common signs are
  • Hypersalivation
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Abdominal tenderness
  • Depression
  • Tachycardia
  • Ataxia
  • Dilated pupils
  • Weakness
  • Lethargy
  • Dyspnoea

Other signs are
  • Renal failure
  • Jaundice
  • Hyperthermia

Treatment of cordyline and dracaena ingestion
  • Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
  • Repeated blood samples to check renal and hepatic function
  • Supportive care



Lily toxicity in cats

The pollen of the lily is the usual source of ingestion. If the pollen gets on the fur, the cat will then groom it off and ingest it but there is also a risk if the cat eats the petals.

Onset of clinical signs usually 2-6 hours, 24-72 hours for renal impairment to become apparent

Cats with pre-existing renal impairment are at higher risk

Common signs are
  • Vomiting
  • Anorexia
  • Depression
  • Renal failure

Other signs are
  • Polyuria
  • Polydipsia
  • Pancreatitis
  • Convulsions

Treatment of lily toxicity
  • Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
  • Wash off any pollen on skin or fur
  • Intravenous fluids
  • Repeated blood tests to monitor renal function
  • Supportive care



Nicotine toxicity in dogs

Onset of clinical signs within 15-90 minutes

Common signs are
  • Vomiting
  • Hypersalivation
  • Pale mucous membranes
  • Ataxia
  • Tremors
  • Tachycardia
  • Tachypnoea
  • Hypertension, followed by bradycardia
  • Hypotension

Other signs are
  • Convulsions
  • Coma

Treatment of nicotine toxicity
  • Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
  • Supportive care



Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory drug toxicity in cats & dogs (Wiki page on NSAIDs)

Onset of clinical signs within 2-6 hours

Animals with dehydration, hypotension and/or pre-existing renal impairment are at higher risk

Common signs are
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Meleana
  • Haematemesis
  • Abdominal tenderness
  • Ataxia
  • Inappetance
  • Polyuria
  • Polydipsia
  • Nausea
  • Pale or congested mucous membranes
  • Weakness
  • Depression
  • Lethargy
  • Renal failure
  • Gastric ulceration

Other signs are
  • Tremors
  • Drowsiness
  • Convulsions
  • Dyspnoea
  • Hyperaesthesia
  • Tachycardia

Treatment of NSAID toxicity
  • Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
  • Intravenous fluids
  • Repeated blood tests to monitor renal function
  • Gut protectants
  • Supportive care



Oak/Acorn ingestion in dogs

Onset of clinical signs within 1-24 hours

Common signs are
  • Retching
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Abdominal tenderness
  • Lethargy
  • Depression

Other signs are
  • Meleana
  • Haematemesis
  • Shaking
  • Urticaria
  • Gastrointestinal obstruction
  • Renal and liver damage

Treatment for oak/acorn toxicity
  • Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
  • Adequate hydration & anti-emetics if required
  • Repeated blood tests to monitor renal and hepatic function
  • Supportive care



Onion toxicity in dogs

Baby food has quite a high concentration of onions. I mention this because a lot of dog owners may use baby food to hide crushed tablets in.

Onset of clinical signs is sometimes within 24 hours but more common after several days

Japanese and Korean breeds are at a higher risk

Common signs are
  • Inappetance
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Diarrhoea
  • Heinz body anaemia

Other signs are
  • Jaundice

Treatment of onion toxicity
  • Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
  • Repeated blood tests to monitor haematological parameters
  • Adequate hydration
  • Supportive care



Paracetamol toxicity in cats & dogs

As little as a single 500mg tablet is toxic to cats

Onset of clinical signs within 4-12 hours, liver impairment apparent within 24 hours

Cats that are malnourished, anorexic and on current treatment with enzyme inducing drugs are at a higher risk

Common signs are
  • Vomiting
  • Depression
  • Brown mucous membranes
  • Tachycardia
  • Tachypnoea
  • Dyspnoea
  • Hypothermia
  • Facial & paw oedema (less common in cats)

Other signs are
  • Renal damage

Treatment of paracetamol toxicity
  • Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
  • Repeated blood tests to monitor renal & hepatic function
  • Vitamin C
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Supportive care

Prognosis much more guarded in cats



Pot Pourri ingestion in dogs

Onset of clinical signs within 12 hours, sometimes 24-48 hours

Common signs are
  • Vomiting
  • Anorexia
  • Abdominal pain
  • Depression
  • Lethargy
  • Ataxia,
  • diarrhoea
  • dehydration

Other signs are
  • Hypersalivation
  • Haemorrhagic diarrhoea
  • Collapse
  • Convulsions
  • Renal failure

Treatment for pot pourri ingestion
  • Adequate hydration & anti-emetics if required
  • Gut protectants
  • Analgesia
  • Supportive care



Quinine toxicity in dogs (Wiki page on Cinchona)

Quinine is in the bark of the Cinchona tree

Onset of clinical signs within 15 minutes – 2 hours

Common signs are
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Lethargy
  • Ataxia
  • Tachycardia
  • Hypotension
  • Dilated pupils
  • Hyperaesthesia
  • Tremors

Other signs are
  • Blindness
  • Collapse
  • Convulsions
  • Cyanosis

Treatment of quinine toxicity
  • Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
  • Adequate hydration
  • Repeated blood tests to monitor electrolytes
  • Treatment for convulsions
  • Intravenous fluids



Raisins/Grapes/Currants/Sultanas toxicity in dogs

Onset of clinical signs within 6-24 hours

Common signs are
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Hypersalivation
  • Haematemesis
  • Bloody stools
  • Anorexia
  • Ataxia
  • Weakness
  • Lethargy
  • Acute renal failure

Other signs are
  • Haematuria
  • Polydipsia
  • Pancreatitis

Treatment of grape/raisin/currant/sultana toxicity
  • Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
  • Intravenous fluids
  • Repeated blood tests to monitor renal function
  • Supportive care



Salt toxicity in dogs

2-3g/kg of Sodium Chloride is enough to be considered toxic, ingestion of 4g/kg is considered lethal

Onset of clinical signs (vomiting) within a few minutes, (neurological) 1 – several hours

Common signs are
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Depression
  • Lethargy
  • Tremors
  • Polydipsia
  • Dehydration
  • Ataxia
  • Weakness
  • Tachycardia
  • Tachypnoea
  • Neurological signs progress to seizures, coma & death if severe

Other signs are
  • Muscular rigidity
  • Convulsions
  • Coma
  • Renal failure

Treatment of salt toxicity
  • Induction of emesis
  • Repeated blood tests to monitor blood glucose & renal function
  • Intravenous fluids
  • Supportive care



Tremorgenic Mycotoxin ingestion in dogs

These are fungal metabolites found in mouldy food

Onset of clinical signs 30 minutes – 3 hours

Common signs are
  • Vomiting
  • Irritability
  • Ataxia
  • Muscle tremors
  • Rigidity with hyperextension of extremities
  • Hyperactivity
  • Hyperaesthesia
  • Tachycardia
  • Panting
  • Tachypnoea
  • Nystagmus
  • Dilated pupils
  • In severe cases tremors, convulsions & coma

Other signs are
  • Risk of aspiration of vomit

Treatment of tremorgenic mycotoxin ingestion
  • Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
  • Adequate hydration & anti-emetics if required
  • Cooling if required
  • Treatment of convulsions
  • Supportive care



Vitamin D Compound ingestion in dogs

Commonly found in Psoriasis creams

Onset of clinical signs 6-12 hours

Dogs with pre-existing renal impairment are at a higher risk

Common signs are
  • Polydipsia
  • Weakness
  • Lethargy
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Polyuria

Other signs are
  • Renal failure
  • Cardiac impairment
  • Shock

Treatment of Vitamin D ingestion
  • Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
  • Adequate hydration & anti-emetics if required
  • Repeated blood tests to monitor renal function
  • Gut protectants



Xylitol ingestion in dogs

Commonly found in artificial sweeteners, chewing gum & nicotine replacement products. Food additive E967 stimulates insulin release & causes hypoglycaemia

Onset of clinical signs within 2 hours, hepatic effects can be delayed up to 72 hours

Common signs are
  • Vomiting
  • Tachycardia
  • Ataxia
  • Drowsiness
  • Coma
  • Convulsions
  • Collapse

Other signs are
  • Liver failure

Treatment of xylitol ingestion

  • Induction of emesis & oral activated charcoal
  • Repeated blood tests to monitor blood glucose levels & hepatic function & treatment as required




DEFINITIONS

Again I've just went alphabetical to make it easier to look up

Anti-emetic – Drug to help stop vomiting
Ataxia – Lack of coordination. Wobbly and uncoordinated gait
Bradycardia – Slow heart rate
Cyanosis – Blue mucous membranes due to lack of Oxygen
Diuresis – Increased frequency of urination
Dysphagia – Difficulty eating/swallowing
Dyspnoea – Difficulty breathing
Haematemesis – Blood in vomit
Haematuria – Blood in urine
Hepatic – Relating to the liver
Hypoglycaemia – Low blood glucose levels
Hypothermia – Low temperature
Hyperaesthesia – Increased sensitivity to external stimuli
Hypersalivation – Increased salivation
Hypertension – Increased blood pressure
Hyperthermia – Increased temperature
Induction of emesis – Administer drugs to induce vomiting
Meleana – Black, tarry faeces usually associated with gastrointestinal haemorrhage
Mucous membranes – Gums, inside eyelids
Nystagmus – Flickering eyes, can be either horizontal or vertical
Oedema – Fluid accumulating under the skin where it shouldn't
Oesophageal stricture – Narrowing or tightening of the oesophagus
Polydipsia – Increased drinking
Polyuria – Increased urination
Renal – Relating to the kidney
Tachycardia – Fast heart rate
Tachypnoea – Fast respiration rate

Urticaria – Commonly referred to as Hives