[CorkyMax]

Just wanted to inform everyone that anything galvanized--like pails your dog may be drinking from,etc is not safe as galvanized means plated with zinc--See post # 17 above on what the zinc in pennies can do to your dog!! I know that humans are not suppose to put galvanized nails in their mouth---like some people do with nails to hold them while hammering! So if your dog is drinking from a pail make sure it is stainless steel and if you don't know for sure if pail is galvanized--best to just get them a stainless steel bowl for drinking (and eating) Actually stainless steel or glass (Make sure the glass/pottery is made in the USA as many countries use lead in their products----WHICH is dangerous for us humans as well as our pets!!) As I started to say--Stainless steel is the best to use period. Plastics are not good either--Have read for one thing after a period of use, could change the color of the dog's nose!! Think about this--It is not like us getting a drink of water and being done with it--not sitting around for periods of time like the water in your dog's bowl is---And your dog is more sensitive to these things to start with--double trouble!!

[CorkyMax]

38. Ibuprofen, like antifreeze, may smell sweet. Dogs will eat it if they’re found lying on the floor and don’t be surprised if your dog tries to chew threw a bottle to eat the entire contents. This is definitely toxic to dogs. It causes ulceration and perforates the lining of the stomach, and decreases the blood flow to the kidneys. Yet again, toxic to dogs.

39. Human vitamin supplements containing iron Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys.
40. Large amounts of liver Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones.

41. String Can become trapped in the digestive system; called a "string foreign body."

42. Persimmons Seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis. NOTE: Since most people don't know what enteritis is (including me) I am starting a new thread in this dog health and nutrition forum explaining it! Look for thread titled Enteritis!

43. Baby food can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. In addition, it can result in nutritional deficiencies especially if fed in large amounts. Simply stated, it’s best to avoid since this could be toxic to dogs. That’s why it’s called baby food and not dog food.

44. Mushrooms can result in shock and cause death.

[CorkyMax]

45. Spoiled food and garbage – just don’t go there. Definitely considered toxic for dogs.

46. Raw fish Can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.

[CorkyMax]

47. Spinach
Can cause crystal formation in the urinary tract and should be avoided completely in cats with urinary problems.

48. Plants that are associated with food products
Several organizations list plants that toxic to pets. The lists do not include what the toxic effects of these plants and which parts of these plants are toxic. The safest course of action would probably be to avoid these plants and their fruit.

blackberry, chokecherry, elderberry, Jerusalem cherry, precatory beans, rhubarb, skunk cabbage, taro vine, and wild black cherry

49. Popcorn
Won't make them sick, but is a significant choking hazard; the salt and butter aren't very good for them either.

[CorkyMax]

50. Almonds and nuts in general
Large quantities can lead to stomach upset. Limit salted nuts. Just like with babies, whole nuts can pose a choking hazard.
MORE ON NUTS:
NUTS: Walnuts can cause gastroenteritis and are considered poisonous to dogs. Macadamia nuts contain an unknown compound, which can cause muscle tremors, weakness and paralysis of the hindquarters – luckily these symptoms last a short time. In general, nuts are high in phosphorus and may contribute to the formation of bladder stones.
NOTE: Peanuts are a legume, “from the earth”, not grown on trees. They are not harmful when used in small amounts.
51. Castor Beans
Castor beans are listed on several authority sites as being toxic plants to pets. It would probably be a good idea to avoid castor oils as well.

[CorkyMax]

52. Hops
Can cause all sorts of medical problems for dogs. As hops is a main ingredient in most beers, dogs should not be permitted to indulge.

53. Spices
Italian and curly parsley and coriander are considered to be non-toxic and edible, but may cause stomach irritation. Mace, nutmeg, paprika and turmeric should be avoided completely.

[Lara's mom]

Drats and double drats!!! My girls LOVE spinich. I put one bunch into two weeks worth of food...Is that too much? The cat won't eat anything but garbage food no matter what I do...

[CorkyMax]

Prob. not too much spinach, (but still I would prob. use a little less to be more cautious) for that many meals but think I would leave a 'gap' between feeding every day --prob 2-3 days without. I don't know how big these bunches are that you are talking about--I'm basing it on the frozen 10 oz (I think that's the size). I use to feed a lot of it when I was cooking for them---Put it in the meat loaf---about a 10 oz. pkge for I'm thinking about 8 or more meals (kind of forgot how many meals. And this was before I saw the warnings on crystal formation! And my 2 dogs have had crystals (which can lead to stone formation) in there urine tests. I tend to stay away from it now but will add a leaf or two of the stuff I grow in the garden once in a while. I suppose if a particular dog had a lot of probs. with getting crystals and stones--Best not to give at all. Just my thoughts here!

[CorkyMax]

54. Citrus oil extracts result in vomiting. Stay away!

55. TURKEY SKIN: Known to cause acute Pancreatitis in dogs. Note: This is the most dense fat there is.

[CorkyMax]

56. BROCCOLI: There has been a bit of confusion where broccoli is concerned. Broccoli is very good for dogs, however, if the daily intake exceeds more than 10% of the animals diet – problems can occur. The toxic substance is isothiocyanate and can cause gastrointestinal irritation.
NOTE: Broccoli toxicity was first noted in dairy cattle raised in California. When there was an over abundant broccoli crop, it was fed to the cattle. Problems may have occurred because cattle have rumens and digest things much more thoroughly, therefore taking in more of the toxic substance.

[CorkyMax]

[B] A little more info on aspirin and the likes--- Can I feed my dog a human breath mint?

It’s not a good idea to feed your dog any sort of breath freshener that hasn’t been formulated specifically for pets. Some breath-freshening products contain the sweetener xylitol, which has the potential to cause a sharp drop in a dog's blood sugar. This can result in depression, loss of coordination and seizures, and in some cases, liver damage. We also don’t advise giving your dog breath freshening strips. Certain breath strips contain menthol, which can be irritating to the tissues of the mouth and the gastrointestinal tract. There are plenty of ways to solve your dog’s breath problem without giving him products made for people. We recommend you discuss an appropriate oral hygiene program with your veterinarian.

Can I give my pet Ibuprofen?

In a word, NO! Ibuprofen can definitely be toxic to dogs and other pets—even in small amounts. Depending on the dose ingested, significant gastrointestinal damage or even kidney damage could result.

In fact, many drugs that are beneficial to humans can be harmful or even deadly for pets. We strongly urge you to never give your pet any medication without first speaking with his or her regular veterinarian.

Can I give my pet aspirin?

We strongly advise owners to never give their pets any medication without first consulting with their regular veterinarian. Many drugs, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like aspirin, can cause serious or potentially life-threatening problems, depending on the dose involved.

If you feel that your pet needs pain relief for any reason, we highly recommend that you get in touch with your veterinarian—if you have not already. Your vet can direct you regarding the best dose to use or, if necessary, can prescribe a different pain reliever.

Can my pets actually chew through containers of aspirin?

Unfortunately, yes. While most human medications are contained in child-proof bottles, these containers are not pet-proof. Pets can easily chew and break open packaging, so medications should always be stored in a secure cabinet above the countertop.[B]


[B]Around the House
What are the most common household items I should watch out for?

Medication and products containing harsh chemicals top the list, but a few other common household hazards, like mothballs and fabric softener sheets, might surprise you. [B]

[CorkyMax]

Be aware there is a $60.00 charge for this call!

About.com: http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_faq

A couple free places to call:A free service---(no charge for the consultation)-785 532-5679--Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine--available 24 hrs. a day. It may tak a few mins. to page the veterinary toxicologist on call at that time.

Another free consultation is: Tuft University School of Veterinary Medicine at:508 839-5395.

Of course you will have a long distance phone call to pay for.

Another place to call: good number to keep on hand: National Animal Poison Control Center ( 1-900-680-0000)

There is a charge for calling the center so listen to the details on that when you call.

[CorkyMax]

I thought I had about mushrooms in the 'list' of no-no's but can't find it so am adding this now:Mushroom toxicity does occur in dogs and it can be fatal if certain species of mushrooms are eaten. Amanita phalloides is the most commonly reported severely toxic species of mushroom in the US but other Amanita species are toxic. They can cause severe liver disease and neurologic disorders. The recommendation is to induce vomiting when these mushrooms are ingested and to give activated charcoal, as well. Supportive treatment for liver disease may also be necessary.

There are probably species of mushrooms with less toxicity but enough to induce the milder symptoms you are seeing. Inducing vomiting would still be a good idea, I think, when these species of mushroom are eaten. It is possible to induce vomiting using hydrogen peroxide given in small amounts until the dog vomits or by using syrup of ipecac (it takes about 1 teaspoon of ipecac syrup per 10 lbs. of body weigh to induce vomiting, on the average so it can be hard to give enough of this --- and overdosage can cause heart problems so it does have to be measured). Apomorphine is a good choice for inducing vomiting, too -- but usually only available through your vet and it is pretty expensive.

[CorkyMax]

Chocolate toxicity

Chocolate contains a xanthine compound, theobromine, that is toxic in sufficient quantities. Examples of other xanthine compounds are caffeine and theophylline. The toxicity from all of these compounds is similar.

It takes a fairly large amount of chocolate to cause problems. In "The Handbook of Small Animal Practice" by Dr. Rhea Morgan, the following data is given:

The toxic dose of theobromine is about 100 to 150mg/kg

Milk chocolate contains 6mg of theobromine per ounce. Semi-sweet chocolate contains about 22mg/oz. and baking chocolate about 35 to 45mg/oz.

From this it is pretty easy to see that milk chocolate poses only a minor threat while the other forms of chocolate can be a bigger problem.

Xanthines affect primarily the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system and peripheral nerves. There is a diuretic effect as well. So the sign seen with toxicity include hyperexitablility, hyper irritability, increased heart rate, restlessness, increased urination, vomiting and muscular tremors or tenseness. Under some circumstances these signs can lead to secondary problems like hyperthermia. In severe cases, seizures or cardiac arrest can occur. Death can result from severe intoxication.

There is no specific antidote for this poisoning. Inducing vomiting can help if the ingestion is known and has occurred within one to two hours. Administration of activated charcoal may inhibit absorption of the toxin from the digestive tract. It may be necessary to use medications to control the effects of the poisoning, especially seizure control medications, oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, and medications to control the effects on the heart.

With ingestion of milk chocolate, diarrhea is a common secondary problem. This may require therapy and often occurs 12 to 24 hours after eating the chocolate.

If you suspect chocolate poisoning and your dog or cat is showing clinical signs of the problem, it is important to contact your vet.

Michael Richards, DVM



Chocolate Toxicity

Q: Dr. Mike, My friend has three Shih Tzus (one adult male, one adult female, and a 3 month old male) and they just managed to gobble up one and a half chocolate bars while we weren't watching. My friend is pretty worried and claims that chocolate will kill them. I've never heard this before. Assuming they live, can you tell me how serious this could be if they do it again, and what actions can we take to help them? Mike

A: Mike- I'm sure the dogs are fine by now. Milk chocolate rarely contains enough chocolate to pose a serious threat to dogs from chocolate toxicity. A lot of dogs get pretty good cases of diarrhea after eating chocolate treats in large quantities, though. Baker's chocolate is concentrated enough to pose a threat to dogs and they can die from chocolate toxicity. So your friend is right about the possibility of chocolate toxicity but it is just not likely with milk chocolate ingestion, except in very large quantities.

[CorkyMax]

The most commonly used antifreeze compounds contain ethylene glycol, which is toxic to dogs and cats if ingested. The minimal lethal dosage for cats is 1.4ml/kg of body weight and for dogs 4.4 to 6.6 ml/kg of undiluted ethylene glycol, according to Thrall, Grauer and Dial in Kirk's Current Therapy XII. This means that 1 teaspoonful of antifreeze (5ml) could kill a 7 pound cat. Antifreeze is normally diluted for use in automobiles so more of the diluted solution would have to be ingested to achieve toxic levels. Unfortunately, antifreeze seems to be palatable to dogs and cats and ingestion of large amounts of the solution can occur.

Ethylene glycol has similar effects to ethanol (the alcohols imbibed recreationally by humans). However, it is broken down in the liver into different compounds than ethanol and these metabolic products cause damage to the kidneys and are more toxic to the central nervous system than the ethylene glycol.

Antifreeze poisoning normally occurs when pet become exposed to antifreeze leaking from a car's cooling system or when antifreeze is changed. Sometimes antifreeze is placed in home plumbing systems when heat will not be maintained during winter months (such as a summer cottage). When this is done it is extremely important to remember to flush the system well prior to letting pets in the house. Pets have been exposed to antifreeze poisoning maliciously in some instances, as well.

There is at least one brand of antifreeze sold in the U.S. that does not use ethylene glycol and is considered to be safer for pets.

After exposure to the ethylene glycol clinical signs will develop in as short a time as 30 minutes to approximately as long as 12 hours, depending on the dose ingested. Depression, signs of intoxication similar to alcohol ingestion, vomiting, depression, coma and death may occur among the initial signs of poisoning. These signs normally last less than 12 hours in dogs causing some owners to think the danger has passed. Cats are less likely to recover from the initial signs. After the central nervous system effects are over, the kidneys are damaged by the antifreeze. In cats this may seem like a continuous thing because the kidney effects often show up just as the CNS signs would have diminished. In dogs the kidney problems usually show up one to three days after ingestion of the antifreeze. Formation of urine drops off until urine is not produced at all. This severe renal failure causes vomiting, sores in the mouth, a noticeable increase in oral odor, severe depression and then eventually coma and death.

The really bad thing about antifreeze poisoning is that treatment must be initiated very promptly for the pet to survive. Dogs do best if treated within five hours of ingestion of the antifreeze. Cats need to be treated even sooner. The chances of survival diminish rapidly 8 hours post ingestion in the dog and 4 hours post ingestion in cats. For this reason, it is extremely important to consider the possibility of antifreeze poisoning almost any time there are unexplained central nervous system disorders that occur acutely in dogs and cats.

There are tests specifically for ethylene glycol. An "in-house" test kit is available to veterinarians and local hospitals are often willing to test for this toxin on an emergency basis when exposure is suspected. Examination of the urine reveals crystals that are highly suspicious of ethylene glycol exposure about six hours after the toxin is ingested but waiting for these to show up places the pet at risk. Looking for crystals when the timing of exposure is unknown can give good prognostic information, though.

Treatment for this condition is best done with 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP, or fomepizole (Antizol-Vet(TM)), which was recently approved for use in dogs. This medication competes for the liver enzymes that break down ethylene glycol and slow its metabolism down, keeping the serum levels of the toxic metabolites down and allowing them to be excreted safely when used early enough. If 4-MP is not available treatment consists of using ethanol, usually intravenously. Ethanol also competes for the same enzymes and inhibits breakdown of the ethylene glycol. The problem is that ethanol itself causes severe central nervous system depression at the dosages necessary and this can have an additive effect with the ethylene glycol. It is still much better to treat when exposure is know to have occurred or is documented by lab work, though.

Antifreeze poisoning causes a terrible death and it is inexcusable for a human being to inflict that kind of suffering on a pet intentionally. I can not begin to understand why people would do such a thing but have personally dealt with at least one case of antifreeze toxicity in which a dog was intentionally poisoned.

Mike Richards, DVM

[kms1167]

Thanks once again for putting all of this information together.. it must have taken a lot of time but will surely help a lot of people.

[CorkyMax]

If you are a pet owner with a home full of houseplants you may have more to worry about than you think. We are often concerned with whether our plants are getting watered correctly or if they are getting an adequate
amount of sunlight. If you have pets in your home you have more important things to consider: the health of your pet.

Many cats and dogs will chew on greenery. Though it seems no one quite knows why this happens, in my personal experience it seems to help a pet with an upset stomach to throw up. If your pet is chewing on the wrong kind of plant the vomiting may be more than an upset stomach, it may indicate poisoning.

Cats are especially notorious for chewing up houseplants. This may explain why I only have one plant in my home. My friends may argue that my plants all die because I can't remember to water them but I prefer to blame it on my cats. Dogs can also be culprits when houseplants are found chewed and tattered. If you have a dog that goes outdoors on a regular basis, you may also find damage to your shrubs and garden plants as well.

The list of plants that can cause death or illness to dogs and cats is surprisingly long. If you have any of these plants in your home you may want to consider getting them out of your house. This article contains only some of the most common plants. Please see the Internet addresses provided for more detailed lists of safe and unsafe plants.

Common Troublemakers for Cats

Amaryllis (bulbs), Aloe Vera, Apple (seeds), Asparagus Fern, Baby's Breath, Belladonna, Black-eyed Susan, Chrysanthemum, Daffodil (both plant and bulb), Easter Lily, Eggplant, Eucalyptus, Evergreen, Holly, Honeysuckle, Iris, Jasmine, Java Beans, Lily, Lily Spider, Lily of the Valley, Marigold, Mistletoe, Morning Glory, Mushrooms, Onion, Oriental Lily, Philodendron, Poinsettia (this one is not quite as poisonous as once thought), Poppy, Potato, Rhododendron, Rhubarb, Rubber Plant, Sweet pea, Tiger Lily, Tobacco, Tulip (plants and bulb), Umbrella Plants and Yews (all types).

Safe Plants for Cats


African Violets, Cape Primrose, Catnip, Creeping Gloxinia, Ferns, Figleaf Palm, Grape Ivy, Irish Moss, Magnolia Miniature Roses, Mulberry Tree, Parsley, The Prayer Plant, Shrimp Plant, Snapdragon, Spider Plant,
Strawberry, Swedish Ivy, Sunflower, Wandering Jew, Wax Begonias and Wax Plant.

Common Troublemakers for Dogs

Aloe Vera, Apple, Apricot, Almond, Baby's Breath, Black-eyed Susan, Chinese Evergreen, Corn Plant, Croton, Daffodil, Easter Lilly, English Ivy, Ficus, Holly, Honeysuckle, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Iris, Jade, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Mother-in-Laws Tongue, Mountain Laurel, Mushrooms, Peace Lily, Philodendron, Poinsettia, Potato, Schefflera, Virginia Creeper, Umbrella Plant, Wisteria and Yews (all varieties).

Safe Plants for Dogs

African Violet, Baby Tears, Bamboo, Boston Fern, Chinese Fan Palm, Christmas Palm, Gerbera Daisy, Moss Fern, Orchid, Palm, Rex Begonia, Snapdragon, Spider Plant, and Zinnia.

Tips

- Offer a pot of grass or catnip for your pet to deter them from chewing on your houseplants.

- Wipe down leaves of any new plant you bring home. Some growers use pesticides that can be harmful to your pet.

- Hanging plants are a great alternative. Be sure there are no perches nearby for cats to jump up on to get to the plant.

- This list is to be used as a guide only. Do research on any plant before purchasing. Contact your veterinarian if you have any concerns.

- Even if you have plants that are considered safe contact your veterinarian if your animal has ingested any plant and appears to have signs of illness or distress.

Help

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (1-888-4ANI-HELP or 1-888-426-4435)
You will be charged $45.00 per call. The Center will follow up on care and will contact a veterinarian if necessary.

Kansas State University's (Animal) Poison Control Hotline (785 -523-5679)
Services are free of charge.

[CorkyMax]

Click on this link for a true story about what happened to this little dog who got into a bunch of chocolate. This is from Dr. Foster and Smith web site (a good place here in Wi.):
Stories From Our Clinic: The Animal to Animal Bond

Huh!? Not sure how this mix-up occured---Sure not the right story for the chocolate issue!! Sorry--I just discovered this now--Aug. 5, 2010!

But is a good story.

[silent watcher]

fatty foods are incuded here. so pork is bad? my dog loves it.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by silent watcher

fatty foods are incuded here. so pork is bad? my dog loves it.

Too much fat can cause pancreatits for 1 thing. If you are feeding RAW pork--Your dog could get a disease called trichinosis caused by a worm that the pig could have!

I feed cooked pork once in awhile but I try to get off as much fat as possible.

Note: The cooked fat would be worse than the raw fat BUT I hope that doesn't encourage you to keep feeding the raw pork!! And even if raw pork was fed--It still is not good to feed too much fat!