For those of you living close to the coast or taking your dogs for seaside walks, you're probably more than aware of the prevalence of this toxic substance.

Our boy ate some a while back & rushed him to the nearest vet, not their main branch, but a small satellite branch open every weekday afternoon & some mornings, not currently registered with them but previously used them for many years.

They wouldn't treat him, the vet didn't know much about the substance & told that I'd have to phone to see if they'd see him at their main branch another 30/40 mins away. Questioned this saying that time was paramount & was only asking for something to make him sick, but no. So home we went to start calling, our vet was busy, only responding to messages & much further away, so nearly two hours later, the main branch gave him an emetic in the car park.

Can vets refuse treatment in an emergency?

Oh gosh lacey . Is everything alright now?
I am so surprised the vet was not aware as to how dangerous this can be and that it is an emergency.
As for the answer to your question I hope someone  with real knowledge can answer you. I imagine its down to the vet to decide but let's see

Not sure & it could be completely disconnected, but he has blood/protein in his urine.
No infection, could be stones could be ?. Is on a course of anti B's for ten days, then he'll be seen again - as I said it could be totally disconnected.
Was just angry that they wouldn't treat as an emergency, had a large lump of the stuff with me & it took so long.

I am not surprised.  At least a complaint . Poor boy sounds like he is poorly atm but as to if ots connected I would guess its hard to know. Mind if it started directly after that it does sound suspicious
Keep us informed as to how he is and what the senior partner says if u contact them

Lacy:  > Was just angry that they wouldn't treat as an emergency, had a large lump of the stuff with me & it took so long

Goodness me:  Poor wee soul, so scary when these things happen!

No wonder you were angry.  My 10month old Lab Puppy was allowed into the garden a few months back.  We had planted 80 ft of Laurel Hedging early morning and Unbeknown
to me, he had dug up and eaten two of them.

It seems such plants can cause abdominal bleeding as well as organ failure whic could indeed show protein in bloods.

Vets should be aware of toxins and luckily ours was - an injection to induce sickness & diarhea was given and an intravenous drip inserted to stablize his fluids afterwards but
only with my insistence that I wanted everything possible to be done!

Anti B's will address any lingering issues and your boy should make a full recovery as mine has.  Good Luck X

Goodness that's awful, bad enough that the vet isn't up-to-speed with this problem which is becoming more and more widespread but not to even attempt to pick up the phone to find out how your dog could/should be treated.  Unacceptable.  I would be beyond furious.  Even with my numpty experience I would know to give activated charcoal to relieve stress on vital organs.    First 30 - 45 mins is critical.

They have to give first aid in an emergency I believe, but I guess they'll go with their definition of it.