YOUR PET’S SAFETY (PART ONE) - FOOD ITEMS THAT POSE A DANGER TO YOUR PET
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>By Eric R. Hurwit, D.V.M. It’s hard to resist. They’re sitting there salivating, looking up at you while you have your dinner. Or maybe they’re watching you throw away the leftovers or table scraps. There’s no harm in sharing, right? WRONG! Don’t give in. Many of the foods we are able to digest and metabolize can be dangerous to your pet; and although we often associate food with affection, there’s no love in making your pet sick.
While many foods like cooked lean boneless chicken or turkey, rice and potatoes in the correct proportion, are fine for your pet - the following items should be avoided entirely.
THE SKINNY ON FATTY FOODS
Fatty foods pose a particular problem to pets since guardians often share their food with their pets, or their pet sneaks it out of the garbage or away from children. Fatty foods such as pan drippings, poultry skin with fat, roast beef or animal greases can make your pet quite ill. Your pet may like the taste of such foods, but their digestive systems are not equipped to deal with large quantities of fats. These fats are not the same as the Omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon oil and flax seed oils that are used in supplements.
Signs of gastrointestinal upset due to fatty foods include:
- Not wanting to eat (anorexia)
- Depression, lethargy, agitation
- A painful abdomen Distressed vocalizations or excessive panting
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
In more serious cases, the pancreas can become inflamed (pancreatitis) and cause its digestive enzymes to not only begin to digest the pancreas, but to leach out into the abdomen and cause widespread damage. Pancreatitis can be a life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical attention by your veterinarian.
IF IT’S FURRY AND LOOKING AT YOU, IT’S NOT YOUR GARBAGE CAN!
Spoiled food can lead to food poisoning in pets just as it can in humans. Bacteria and molds can cause severe gastrointestinal upset, pancreatitis as well as neurologic signs (unsteady stance or walking, tremors, seizures). Vomiting and diarrhea are common signs of food poisoning. Your pet should be seen immediately by your veterinarian if it shows signs of food poisoning.
NO “TAR TAR” FOR TOTO
Raw meats can contain parasites and high bacterial levels which can lead to infections. If meats are part of your pet’s diet, they should be lean and fully cooked.
KEEP IT CLEAN
Always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly for your small pets, such as rodents and rabbits. This will reduce potentially harmful bacteria populations and residual insecticide and pesticide contamination.
THEY HAVE ALL THE BONES THEY NEED
Animal bones may also be a danger to your pet as they can splinter, forming shards that can lacerate and / or puncture through sections of the digestive tract. They can also form obstructions if larger pieces of bone are swallowed. This often requires surgical removal of the foreign material. In addition, raw, undercooked or store-bought bones can often contain high bacterial counts which can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
A MUDSLIDE MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Chocolate contains a chemical known as theobromine which can cause excessive stimulation of the brain and heart, leading to tremors, seizures, elevated heart rate (tachycardia), diarrhea, urinary accidents and vomiting. These effects can be life threatening and require specific medical management by a veterinarian. The amount of chocolate that will cause toxic effects depends on the theobromine content of the chocolate and the amount consumed by your pet. The highest concentrations of theobromine are found in baking chocolate and pure cacao powders, and decreases from dark chocolate to milk chocolate. Cacao bean mulch used in landscaping can also be a potential source of toxicity. While a single M&M would not likely cause notable toxic effects in most dogs, even a small amount of dark chocolate could cause toxic effects to a small dog. The most common causes of chocolate exposure for dogs are from family members, especially children, feeding candies or desserts to the dog, or from the dog taking it from a table or from the garbage. If you suspect or know your pet has gotten into chocolate, call your veterinarian immediately for advice.
Peterson, Michael E. , Talcott, Patricia A. SMALL ANIMAL TOXICOLOGY, Saunders 2001 p 563-569
NO ESPRESSO FOR FIDO
Coffee and coffee grounds contain the stimulant caffeine which, like chocolate, causes excessive stimulation of the nervous system and heart. Pets begin acting restless about an hour after exposure. They may show signs similar to chocolate toxicity including tremors, seizures, elevated heart rate (tachycardia), diarrhea, urinary accidents and vomiting. Caffeine toxicity can be life threatening. Again, a veterinarian should be contacted immediately if your pet has ingested coffee or grounds.
Peterson, Michael E. , Talcott, Patricia A. SMALL ANIMAL TOXICOLOGY, Saunders 2001 p 563-569
SUGAR: THERE’S NO SUBSTITUTE
Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in sugar-free products such as gum, toothpaste, children’s vitamins and baked goods. In dogs, xylitol can cause blood sugar to drop to dangerously low levels (hypoglycemia). It may lead to acute liver failure with or without the signs of hypoglycemia. Signs of exposure in dogs include weakness, shaking, and / or seizures due to hypoglycemia. These may occur within an hour of the time of ingestion. Signs including lethargy and vomiting may be seen within a day due to acute liver failure. If you suspect or know your dog has ingested products containing xylitol, see your veterinarian right away, as prompt medical treatment is critical. This is a potentially fatal toxicity, so take precautions including reading ingredient labels for products containing xylitol and keeping these products out of reach of your dog.
1.Dunayer EK, Gwaltney-Brant SM. Acute hepatic failure and coagulopathy associated with xylitol ingestion in eight dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006; 229; 1113-1117
2. Dunayer EK. New findings on the effects of xylitol ingestion in dogs.Vet Med 2006, Dec; 791-796
A NUTTY TOXICITY
Macadamia nuts found in candies, cookies and as roasted nuts can cause weakness, particularly in the hind limbs of dogs. Tremors, unstable stance or difficulty walking (ataxia), vomiting and depression have also been seen in macadamia nut toxicity. The exact principle or mechanism is not yet fully understood, but in most cases pets return to normal within a few days.
1. Steven R. Hansen, DVM, MS, DABVT, Macadamia nut toxicosis in dogs “Toxicology Brief”, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, Copyright 2002, Veterinary Medicine Publishing Group 1717 S. Philo Road, Suite 36, Urbana, IL 61802
2. Hansen, S.R. et al.: Weakness, tremors, and depression associated with macadamia nuts in dogs. Vet. Hum. Toxicol. 42 (1):18-21; 2000.
THEY MAY BE SWEET, BUT THEY’RE NOT DOG TREATS
Grapes and raisins can lead to life-threatening kidney failure in some dogs and possibly in cats. Not all dogs develop acute kidney failure after exposure, but it is not a test you want to perform. So, the best solution at this time is not to allow your pet to ingest grapes or raisins. The exact mechanism of toxicity is not understood, but acute renal failure (kidney) is common with even relatively small quantities of ingested grapes or raisins. Vomiting may be one of the first signs noted within a few hours of exposure. Other signs including depression or lethargy, diarrhea, increased drinking (Polydipsia), and abdominal pain may develop within several hours to days. As with all toxicities, the sooner a veterinarian can begin decontamination and supportive treatment, the better the prognosis for your pet. A wait-and-see approach may lead to life-threatening kidney failure and a grave prognosis for your pet.
1. Katrina McKnight, BS, CVT Grape and Raisin Toxicity In Dogs Veterinary Technician February 2005 Toxicology Brief 135 ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Urbana, Illinois
2. Means C: Health, The wrath of grapes. ASPCA Animal Watch. Available at http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/grapes.pdf?docID=189; updated 2002.
3. Mazzaferro EM: Case report: Acute renal failure associated with raisin or grape ingestion in 4 dogs. J Vet Emerg Crit Care 14(3):203–212, 2004.
4. Gwaltney-Brant S, Holding JK, Donaldson CW, et al: Renal failure associated with ingestion of grapes or raisins in dogs. JAVMA 218:1555–1556, 2001.
BAD FOR YOUR BREATH AND YOUR PET
Onions (Allium) and related plants including garlic, scallions, shallots, and leeks contain compounds that damage red blood cells which leads to their destruction by the body (hemolysis). Red blood cells are the oxygen-carrying cells in blood. This onion-related loss of red blood cells is known as Heinz Body Anemia and can be severe enough to be life threatening. Like many toxicities, onion toxicity is dose dependent, i.e. the more that is ingested, the more severe the toxic effect. It doesn’t matter if they are raw, cooked, or in powdered seasonings.
Typical effects of onion toxicity include:
- Decreased or lack of appetite (anorexia)
- Depression
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Pale or yellow (icterus) gums, lips, whites of the eyes, or inside of ear
- Increased breathing rate or respiration.
If promptly and properly treated, many cats and dogs will make a good recovery. But again, prompt medical attention is important.
Peterson, Michael E. , Talcott, Patricia A. SMALL ANIMAL TOXICOLOGY, Saunders 2001 p 248, p280 Denise M. Simmons, TOXICOLOGY BRIEF Onion Breath 424 Veterinary Technician August 2001
HOLD THE GUACAMOLE
Avocados (Persea americana) contain a compound known as Persin which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats, and potentially fatal respiratory and heart toxicity in birds and rodents. All parts of the plant contain the toxic compound Persin in various amounts, and pets should be protected from ingestion of any part of the plant.
Peterson, Michael E. , Talcott, Patricia A. SMALL ANIMAL TOXICOLOGY, Saunders 2001 p 305
If you know or suspect your pet has ingested a harmful or toxic substance of any kind, or if your pet is showing signs of illness, talk to a veterinarian immediately. Don’t waste precious time waiting to see if your pet recovers. Some toxicities may appear to improve but may worsen later, and lead to serious complications. Contact your veterinarian as soon as you know or suspect a problem to give your pet a better chance for recovery. Your veterinarian will be able to determine whether or not your pet needs to be seen immediately, or if home treatment or monitoring is appropriate. You may be asked by your veterinarian to contact animal poison control to secure an initial case number. The contact numbers are listed below. Please make sure your veterinarian specifies which service to call. And remember: prevention is the key!
ASPCA NATIONAL ANIMAL POISON CONTROL CENTER 1-888-426-4435
This is a national 24-hour service provided by the ASPCA. There is a $50.00 fee for the initial call.
PET POISON HELPLINE 1-800-213-6680
This is a national 24-hour service provided by the Pet Poison Control Center. There is a $35.00 fee for the initial call.
© Eric R. Hurwit, www.GalacticPet.Com
