"I wonder what goes through his mind when he sees us peeing in his water bowl." -- Penny Ward Moser
A general rule of thumb about the above: If you get that thirsty, drinking from the toilet tank is fine, but never from the bowl, humans or pets!
Recently, there has been a spate of alarming reports about dogs needing critical care, or even dying, due to sugarless candies and especially gums such as Trident and Orbit. The harmful ingredient is ‘Xylitol’, a sugar based alcohol that wrecks havoc with a dog’s blood sugar levels. Xylitol causes the pancreas to generate a rapid release of insulin followed by blood sugar plummeting to dangerously low levels (Hypoglycemia).
Frequent sugarless gum chewers are teenaged girls, and women, who keep packs in their bags or pockets within reach of dogs. But, it’s also found increasingly in dietetic baking items, low-carbohydrate and diabetic products.
If you suspect your pet has ingested gum, candy, cake, etc., containing Xylitol, immediately call your vet, or Animal Poison Control (numbers and information are at the bottom of the newsletter). Signs include depression, vomiting, weakness, un-coordination and seizure. Untreated, there is a risk of liver failure.
If a pet has swallowed products containing this ingredient, but hasn’t yet shown symptoms, induce vomiting. There is no antidote and your vet may need to pump your pet’s stomach and follow up by monitoring blood and potassium levels and providing potassium intravenously. This critical care is not only overwhelming for your pet and you, but it can get very expensive!
Following is a list of additional foods that can be harmful to your pet:
- Chocolate:
A substance called Theobromine is extremely toxic for dogs. (
- Coffee (and grounds), tea, Colas: Contains caffeine and Theobromine, which can affect the heart and nervous systems.
- Onions (and garlic) can cause Hemolytic Anemia, a very serious condition of red blood cells. Symptoms of fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and shortness of breath may be delayed for up to three days after ingestion. Remember to keep pizza, tomato sauces, soups and other hidden sources (including onion powder).
- Raisins (and Grapes) can cause Kidney (Renal) failure, called Toxicosis in some dogs.
- Avocados, broccoli (in large quantities), tomato leaves and stems, potato peels, apple seeds, cherry pits.
- Fatty, spicy and deep fried foods are very bad for your pet’s digestive system. Dogs are at risk of developing Pancreatitis, a very serious and hard to treat disease.
- Any rotting, moldy food and scraps found in garbage bins.
- Misc.: Mothballs, homemade play dough, dishwashing detergent.
Also, with cold weather coming on L, remember to guard your pets from anti-freeze, which can contain a sweet tasting ingredient lethal in small doses. Look for products using Propylene glycol (less toxic, but still dangerous) rather than ethylene glycol.
Baits for rats, mice, ants and roaches can also contain inert sweet ingredients to entice insects and animals, including pets. Keep your pets away from dead animals, to prevent eating a carcass poisoned by bait.
If you suspect that your pet has ingested a poison and you can’t reach your vet, the following is a pet toxicology hotline, open 24/7 (you can also ask your area poison control center for humans; they may be able to answer a question at no charge).
(888) 426-4435 (4ANIHELP):
A happy Lost & Found story: Debra Reitz found a Miniature Poodle
one recent Sunday morning and recognized the Featherle bandana she was wearing.
She kept her overnight and brought her to our
Written by Rebecca Nilson-Owens
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