There are a number of food items that
whilst safe and yummy for us, are highly
toxic when fed to pets.
Top of the list is chocolate
. Theobromine is the
toxic ingredient, and is also related to caffeine. It can
cause vomiting, tummy ache, excitability and a rapid
heart rate. The dog may become wobbly and start
fitting. It may also lead to kidney failure. The dangerous
dose is also very low. For an average Westie 12grams
of dark chocolate is toxic; about one-third of a bar of
dark chocolate.
Xylitol
is an artificial sweetener found in many sweets,
chewing gum and as a sugar substitute in baking.
It causes a rapid and severe drop in blood sugar often
within two hours, even after ingesting a very small
amount. This causes vomiting, sleepiness, fitting,
collapse and coma. Over a few days it can also
lead to liver failure.
Grapes
and their dried derivatives like raisins and
sultanas can cause rapidly toxic effects in some
dogs. With bloody vomiting and bloody diarrhoea as
common signs and more severely kidney failure.
Peanuts and monkey nuts
can cause vomiting
and diarrhoea, and more seriously fitting, twitching
and muscle spasm.
Onions, Garlic, Chives
can cause the destruction of
red blood cells known as Heinz body anaemia,
Poisonous reaction can result from raw, cooked or
dried onions, garlic, chives, including those included in
powdered or dehydrated forms. Avoid all foods that
contain onions or onion variants. This includes many of
our left overs, such as curry or pasta sauces. Signs of
ingestion are pale gums, rapid heart rate, weakness,
bloody urine and possible kidney failure.
If you think your pet may have ingested any
of the above then you should contact your
vet as soon as possible, day or night, as this
may be a real emergency.
TOXIC
treats
As bonfire night approaches, we have a timely article
from Vicki Harrington, looking at Noise Phobias
including useful tips on how to help your pet during
firework season. It is estimated that heart
problems can affect up to 10% of dogs and
cats in the UK, Mark Overend gives us
an overview of Heart Disease, the
signs to look out for and the
treatment available.
In this
edition
of Small Talk...
Wendy Scourfield
BVetMed MRCVS
Allen & Partners