Chewing Gum, Raisins, Onions, Chocolate, Artificial Sweeteners (Xylitol) and Other Deadly Pet Treats Candy & Chewing Gum Q: Can I share candy and gum with my dog? A: In short, NO! When your dog sees you putting food in your mouth, rest assured, they want some of it too! Most of us cannot deny our dog "just a bite" but be aware that Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in many gums and candies, is lethal to dogs! Like chocolate, toxicity depends on the amount consumed and the weight of the pet. Read how artificial sweetener almost claimed the life of Tele the dog, by causing liver failure and the following article on how Brooklyn the dog, was poisoned from chewing gum. Dog Almost Killed After Consuming Artificial Sweetener by Cheryl Preheim
DENVER, CO -- Tele is a 7-month-old Golden Retriever who loves treats. So, when 2-year-old Jordan started feeding her mints, she loved it. "I was standing right there as my 2-year-old is handing one mint for him, one mint for me type of game and it was literally six mints later that we started seeing signs," said Lindsey Davis, Jordan's mom. Within 15 minutes of eating six mints, Tele was having seizures and vomiting. One great fear of many pet owners is that something innocuous in our houses can be poisonous to our pets. Now, again, that fear has been realized in the form of something that used to be totally safe, for people and pets. Chewing gum! Many pet owners are already aware of certain items you should never let your pet get a hold of. This brief list doesn't even include all the treasures they can find on the street. But until now, chewing gum was not on the list of dangerous things for pets. Our first experience with this new toxic substance came in the form of a 21 month old American Pit Bull named Brooklyn. One night Brooklyn got a hold of a pack of sugarless chewing gum. Her guardians thought quickly and called the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline. (888-426-4435). They learned that the sugarless gum was indeed a problem, because it contains a sugar substitute called XYLITOL. This sugar substitute is not toxic for humans because it does not get absorbed from the intestines and therefore does not affect us. But it is absorbed from the intestine and goes into the blood stream of our pets. And that is where the toxicity comes in. The effect of Xylitol is to cause the secretion of insulin, which dangerously lowers blood sugar . In addition, it can cause liver failure depending on the quantity ingested. The amount that needs to be consumed to be toxic depends on the substance eaten and the weight of the pet. There is still no hard fast data concerning lethal dose of this substance. Low blood sugar can cause:
These signs may present themselves soon after the product is ingested. Fortunately Brooklyn's owners were astute, called poison control and watched her carefully throughout night. In the morning, she seemed to act like herself. To be safe, they brought her to Riverside Animal Hospital for an exam. The doctors at Riverside knew about Xylitol ingestion toxicity and knew the possible dangers of ingesting it..... and treated her even though she appeared normal. Sure enough, even without symptoms, Brooklyn's blood sugar was low. If her blood sugar had gone any lower, she could have begun hypoglycemic convulsions. She was kept in the hospital on I.V. fluids with dextrose (sugar) for two days, to maintain her sugar levels at near normal levels. Even 48 hours later, when we slowed the intravenous glucose administration, her blood sugar dropped. Of course, while she was here we checked her for liver problems and fortunately found none. We are happy to say that her sugar eventually stabilized, she recovered beautifully, and was released from the hospital without any long lasting ill affects from the chewing gum. The moral of the story is that it pays to become aware of everyday products that can poison your pets. If you are ever unsure about the potential toxicity of a product your pet has ingested, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center. There is a fee to use the Poison Control Service, but it's worth it. As veterinarians, we often come across new information either as a result of patient's experience, or through research. What we hope to share with you is some of our more interesting cases so that you may learn about potential hazards and clinical signs before they become critical. Sincerely,
Steven Kasanofsky, D.V.M., C.V.A. When Good Dogs Eat Bad Things by Karen Klemens Jake's story is horrible but all too common. His owner thought he was just giving his Rottweiler a bone -- a chicken bone. The owner knew it wasn't the best thing to give Jake but didn't know why, and he certainly didn't think he was killing Jake. That's what happened, though. Over the next few days, Jake died a slow, painful death. The splintered chicken bones punctured the dog's gastrointestinal tract, causing deadly toxins to be released into his stomach. Jake became disoriented -- he wouldn't respond to his owner and he'd look around aimlessly. He also would regularly sit and, only using his front paws, spin around in one place. A short time later Jake succumbed. This issue of The Healthy Dog includes a brief rundown of common and not-so-common household foods and products that if given to your dog can be deadly. And just in case you think turkey bones are safe, owner beware: turkey bones, like chicken bones, can be just as deadly if given to man's best friend. If you think the best way to a dog's heart is through food, think again. Foods high in fat -- such as the table scraps that we humans cut away from our meats -- can cause canine pancreatitis and gastroenteritis, serious and potentially fatal conditions. Pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas can result in a complete loss of appetite, frequent vomiting, diarrhea that may contain blood, weakness and abdominal pain (apparent through whimpering and restlessness). The reactions can range from barely noticeable to a severe shock-like collapse that can result in death. These conditions can occur after raids on garbage cans, also. Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines' lining and has similar symptoms. These cases often require hospitalization and fluid replacement. Many table scraps also contain onion that can be toxic for a dog, especially smaller pooches. Onions can cause hemolytic anemia, a condition that destroys a dog's red blood cells, according to Dr. Kathy Michel of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. An onion-poisoned dog will become lethargic, develop breathing difficulties and will have pale gums (check around the teeth). Fortunately, the toxins will pass through the dog's system, but until then, he or she may need a blood transfusion. If you cook dog food at home, feel free to add garlic, but hold the onions. It may seem like the best treat of all, but it can be deadly. All chocolate, with its caffeine and related chemical called theobromine, can raise your dog's heart rate to beat abnormally. It can cause seizures that will eventually lead to a coma. Baking or dark chocolate is the deadliest -- about nine times more toxic than milk chocolate. A chocolate-poisoned pooch will vomit, urinate more than usual, have diarrhea, and show hyperactivity. Naturally nontoxic plants can still make your pet sick if the greenery has been sprayed with pesticides and fertilizers. Although it depends on the type of plant consumed by your dog, symptoms to look out for include breathing difficulties, convulsions, excessive salivation, gastroenteritis, skin rashes, stomach upset, swallowing difficulties, vomiting, and watery eyes and nose, according to the book, Are you Poisoning Your Pets? by Nina Anderson and Howard Peiper (Avery Publishing Group). Some of the deadliest plants and flowers include dieffenbachia, mistletoe, poinsettias, laurel, rhododendrons, azaleas, Daphne, lantanas, holly, delphiniums, foxglove, irises, lilies of the valley, amaryllis, morning glories, and daffodils. The bulbs of daffodils, narcissus, and jonquils trigger severe gastroenteritis; hyacinth bulbs cause trembling and convulsions. Avocado leaves and unripe stems, rhubarb leaves, spinach leaves and tomato vines, stems and leaves can also be harmful. Most pesticide chemicals in commercial flea repellents are fat-soluble and are stored in the fatty tissues of the body, primarily in the liver and in the nervous system. As these chemicals accumulate over time, they negatively affect nerves, hormones, and immunity. Symptoms to lookout for:
Pyrethrum, a nontoxic insecticide made from chrysanthemum flowers, is found in may flea repellant products and is considered safe in its natural state. However, combine pyrethrum with chemical additives and you have a potentially dangerous environment for your dog. Chemical additives to look out for include diethyl toluamide (DEET), propoxur, diazinon, carbaryl, dichlorvos, and DDVP. Be forewarned: constant inhalation of DDVP, found in flea collars, can cause permanent damage to your dog's internal organs. The following vomit guide is taken from Dogs: The Ultimate Care Guide, Good Health,Loving Care, Maximum Longevity, published by Rodale Press, Inc. See also: Cotton Ball Remedy & RawhideandChewyTreats.htm How and When to Induce Vomiting One teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide for each ten pounds of body weight can quickly induce vomiting. If you're fresh out of hydrogen peroxide, try a combination of one tablespoon of dry mustard and one cup of cold water. But vomiting should never be induced when trying to purge caustic substances such as drain cleaner and petroleum-based products that can burn twice -- once when they do go down and again if they are vomited. Also, if your pooch is having trouble breathing, having seizures, has a slow heart rate, is unconscious, or has a bloated stomach, never induce vomiting.
In case you did not read the above information: Americans spend over $10 billion dollars a year on food for our pets. Despite buying the best food available, some pets would rather eat what we eat. However, certain foods can be dangerous to your pet, causing varying degrees of illness. Some food is toxic due to ingredients and some by improper cooking, storage or poor hygiene. Alcoholic Beverages.
Ethanol is the component in alcoholic beverages that can be toxic when an excessive amount is ingested.
Pets are much smaller than us and can be highly affected by small amounts of alcohol. Exercise caution when drinks and pets are together. Toxicity can cause a wide variety of signs and symptoms, and may result in death. Signs may include odor of alcohol on the animal's breath, staggering, behavioral changes, excitement, depression, increased urination, slowed respiratory rate or cardiac arrest and death.
Symptoms of toxicity include difficulty breathing, abdominal enlargement, abnormal fluid accumulations in the chest, abdomen and sac around the heart. The amount that needs to be ingested to cause signs is unknown. Do not feed your pet any component of the avocado.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda. Baking soda and baking powder are both leavening agents. A leavening agent is a common ingredient in baked goods that produces a gas causing batter and dough to rise. Baking soda is simply sodium bicarbonate. Baking powder consists of baking soda and an acid, usually cream of tartar, calcium acid phosphate, sodium aluminum sulfate or a mixture of the three. Ingestion of large amounts of baking soda or baking powder can lead to electrolyte abnormalities (low potassium, low calcium and/or high sodium), congestive heart failure or muscle spasms. Chocolate. Chocolate, in addition to having a high fat content, contains caffeine and theobromine. These two compounds are nervous system stimulants and can be toxic to your dog in high amounts. The levels of caffeine and theobromine vary between different types of chocolate. For example, white chocolate has the lowest concentration of stimulants and baking chocolate or cacao beans have the highest concentration. Depending on the type of chocolate ingested and the amount eaten, various problems can occur. The high fat content in chocolate may result in vomiting and possibly diarrhea. Once toxic levels are eaten, the stimulant effect becomes apparent. You may notice restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination and possibly excessive panting. Heart rate and blood pressure levels may also increase. Seizure activity may occur in severe cases. Coffee (grounds and beans). Dogs that eat coffee grounds or beans can get "caffeine" toxicity. The symptoms are very similar to those of chocolate toxicity and can be just as or even more serious. Fatty Foods. Rich and fatty food are favorites of dogs. They often get them as treats, leftovers or from getting into the trash. These fatty foods can cause pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can affect any pet but miniature or toy poodles, cocker spaniels and miniature schnauzers are particularly prone. Signs of pancreatitis generally include an acute onset of vomiting, sometimes diarrhea and abdominal pain. Abdominal pain is often evidenced by hunched posture or "splinting" of the abdomen when picked up. The dog may become very sick quickly and often needs intensive fluid and antibiotic therapy. Dairy Products. Dairy products are not highly dangerous but can pose problems for two reasons. One is their high fat content and like other foods with high fat content, there is a risk of pancreatitis. The second reason is that pets poorly digest dairy products since they lack the enzyme required to digest lactose. This affects some pets more than others, and can cause gas to diarrhea. Small amounts of plain yogurt or cheese are tolerated by most dogs but it is probably safest to avoid dairy products altogether. Grapes and Raisins. According to the ASPCA around 1989, a disturbing trend began to emerge from the AnTox database used by its Animal Poison Control Center: Nearly all the dogs reported to have eaten grapes or raisins developed acute renal (kidney) failure. These cases were noted all across the USA, with the amount eaten varying widely, from over a pound of grapes to as little as a single serving of raisins. The database showed that dogs who ate the grapes and raisins typically vomited within a few hours of ingestion. Most of the time, partially digested grapes and raisins could be seen in the vomit, fecal material, or both. At this point, some dogs would stop eating (anorexia), and develop diarrhea. The dogs often became quiet and lethargic, and showed signs of abdominal pain. These clinical signs lasted for several days sometimes even weeks. When medical care was sought, blood chemistry panels showed consistent patterns. Hypocalcaemia (elevated blood calcium levels) was frequently present, as well as elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and phosphorous (substances that reflect kidney function). These chemistries began to increase anywhere from 24 hours to several days after the dogs ate the fruit. As the kidney damage developed, the dogs would produce little urine. When they could no longer produce urine, death occurred. In some cases, dogs who received timely veterinary care still had to be euthanized. Although it is not known what component of the grapes or raisins causes renal failure in dogs, certain possibilities have been ruled out, including various pesticides, some heavy metals such as zinc and lead, and fungal contaminants. That dogs react in this fashion to both commercially-produced grapes and those grown informally in their owners' back yards indicates the likely culprit has nothing to do with the growing or cultivation process but is instead basic to grapes themselves. All grapes are potentially dangerous to dogs; both grapes in the plump, "just picked" form and as their dried counterparts, raisins, and regardless of whether they came from the store or off the neighbor's vine. Don't feed your dog grapes or raisins, and don't leave these foodstuffs out where he could help himself to them. This is not to say you need live in fear of your pooch's keeling over dead if he swallows a grape or two. The amount of grapes or raisins ingested has been between 9 ounces to 2 pounds. Despite testing, the reason for the kidney failure and the amount necessary for toxicity remains unknown. For now, any dog that ingests large amounts of grapes or raisins should be treated aggressively. Aggressive and sometimes prolonged treatment may be necessary to give the affected dog a chance at survival; without treatment death is possible. More info regarding raisin poisoning: Laurinda Morris, DVM / Danville Veterinary Clinic/ Danville , Ohio USA This week I had the first case in history of raisin toxicity ever seen at MedVet. My patient was a 56-pound, 5 yr old male neutered lab mix that ate half a canister of raisins sometime between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM on Tuesday. He started with vomiting, diarrhea and shaking about 1AM on Wednesday but the owner didn't call my emergency service until 7AM. I had heard somewhere about raisins AND grapes causing acute Renal failure but hadn't seen any formal paper on the subject. We had her bring the dog in immediately. In the meantime, I called the ER service at MedVet, and the doctor there was like me - had heard something about it, but.... Anyway, we contacted the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center and they said to give IV fluids at 1 ½ times maintenance and watch the kidney values for the next 48-72 hours. The dog's BUN (blood urea nitrogen level) was already at 32 (normal less than 27) and creatinine over 5 (1.9 is the high end of normal). Both are monitors of kidney function in the bloodstream. We placed an IV catheter and started the fluids. Rechecked the renal values at 5 PM and the BUN was over 40 and creatinine over 7 with no urine production after a liter of fluids. At the point I felt the dog was in acute renal failure and sent him on to MedVet for a urinary catheter to monitor urine output overnight as well as overnight care. He started vomiting again overnight at MedVet and his renal values have continued to increase daily. He produced urine when given lasix as a diuretic. He was on 3 different anti-vomiting medications and they still couldn't control his vomiting. Today his urine output decreased again, his BUN was over 120, his creatinine was at 10, his phosphorus was very elevated and his blood pressure, which had been staying around 150, skyrocketed to 220.. He continued to vomit and the owners elected to euthanize. This is a very sad case - great dog, great owners who had no idea raisins could be a toxin. Please alert everyone you know who has a dog of this very serious risk. Poison control said as few as 7 raisins or grapes could be toxic. Many people I know give their dogs grapes or raisins as treats including our ex-handler's. Any exposure should give rise to immediate concern. Macadamia Nuts. For reasons unknown, as few as six to 40 macadamia nuts have caused severe toxic signs in dogs. Macadamia nuts, also called the Queensland nut or Australia nut, can be toxic. The mechanism behind why these nuts are toxic is a mystery. Dogs develop weakness, depression, vomiting, difficulty walking, tremors, abdominal pain, lameness, stiffness and/or pale gums. The signs usually dissipate in 12 to 24 hours. Moldy or Spoiled Food. Dogs love to get into the trash. A medical problem arises when the trash contains moldy or spoiled food. In addition to food poisoning, some pets can develop tremors related to the ingestion of certain molds. Nutmeg. You may not realized this but high levels of nutmeg can be toxic, even fatal. The toxic principle is not well understood. Signs of toxicity include tremors, seizures, nervous system abnormalities or death.
Signs can begin immediately after eating the onion or a few days later. Large quantities of garlic need to be ingested before signs of toxicity are seen. Severe
anemia's and even death can occur if the dog ingests lots of onions or garlic and receives no treatment. Use common sense. If you would not take mass quantities of garlic or onion, neither should you give it to your pet who weighs considerably less on average. |
