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THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION
APRIL/MAY 2015
www.theconnectionsnj.com 20 Years Emergency Veterinary Medicine Behind Us. ANIMAL PAWS Please call for FREE consultation. Last minute bookings for existing clients. (no late fee) BONDED & INSURED Nominated by National Animal Pet Sitting Association for 2015 for one of the Best Pet Sitting Services in the Nation. PETS ENJOY BEING HOME! Pet Sitting, LLC 13 Years of Loving Professional Pet Sitting Experience Cell 908-963-0311 email: michele@animalpaws.net animalpaws.org Vacations, daily dog walking, overnight stays, client education on animal care. We do transporta- tion, give insulin injections, SQ fluids, dog hikes. TOXIC FOR DOGS By: Michele Patanio, Animal Paws Pet Sitting LLC 908-963-0311 animalpaws.net Xylitol - The problem with xylitol is that in dogs it can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar. Just one or two pieces of xylitol-sweetened gum could cause this reac- tion in a 20-pound dog. The clinical signs most associ- ated with the ingestion of xylitol include depression, vomiting, and hypoglycemia; these symptoms may be accompanied by shaky movements, an unsteady gait, weakness, and seizures. Death by Chocolate - White chocolate contains the smallest amounts of caffeine and theobromine, while the concentration of both chemicals increases as one moves to milk chocolate, semisweet chocolate, bitter- sweet chocolate, and baking chocolate. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is to dogs. As little as 20 ounces of milk chocolate, or only 2 ounces of bak- ing chocolate, can cause serious problems in a 10- pound dog. Honey weighed 70 pounds, and she died after eating 24 ounces, or slightly less than 1½ pounds, of semisweet chocolate. Cocoa powder’s contents vary according to growing conditions and other factors, but cocoa’s chemicals can be as concentrated as those in baking chocolate. Even cocoa bean shell mulch, a popular garden product, can be toxic when swallowed by chocolate craving chowhounds. Grapes and Raisins - Who would imagine that grapes and raisins could be poisonous to dogs? Yet, for reasons not yet understood, some dogs have experienced effects ranging from vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy to intense thirst followed by acute renal failure. In four cases where the amount of grapes ingested could be estimated, the smallest toxic dosage was about .336 ounces of grapes per pound of the dog’s body weight (for example, 6.7 ounces of fruit eaten by a 30-pound dog). The smallest toxic exposure was 1.05 pounds of grapes; the largest toxic exposure was 1.85 pounds of grapes. That’s a lot of fruit. Our recommendation would be to err on the side of caution when feeding grapes or raisins to your dog. In our opinion, a few, fed as an occasional treat, probably won’t hurt a dog of any size. However, dog owners should take care to keep raisins and grapes out of reach, so a hound with a sweet tooth can’t possibly eat a large amount; absolutely no leaving a bunch of grapes in a bowl on any table any dog can reach. And warn your kids about leaving a backpack or lunchbox containing a box of raisins anywhere the dog might be able to reach it. Onions and (maybe) Garlic - As we’ve just seen, not all “healthy” foods are good for dogs (especially in higher doses). Consider garlic, which we prize so highly as an infection fighter and immune system booster that we put it in canine health foods, training treats, and nutritional supplements. In small amounts, the benefits outweigh their risks, but garlic also contains thiosul- phate, which – in large enough amounts or over long periods of time – can cause hemolytic or “Heinz factor” anemia in dogs and cats. (Hemolytic anemia is a condi- tion in which circulating red blood cells burst.) Garlic’s close relative, the onion, is actually the food that presents the highest risk of toxicity from thiosulphate. A single generous serving of onion can cause hemolytic anemia in a dog. Symptoms of hemolytic anemia can develop within a few hours to a few days. Signs include vomiting, diar- rhea, weakness, depression, and a lack of interest in food. As the illness progresses, red pigment from dam- aged blood cells color the dog’s urine, and as oxygen- carrying red blood cells decline in number, the animal becomes breathless and starved for air. Macadamia Nuts - The toxic ingredient has not yet been discovered, but whether they’re raw or roasted, shelled or made into nut butter, macadamia nuts can cause dramatic symptoms. Clinical effects were report- ed in dogs after the consumption of as little as 1 gram of macadamias per pound of body weight. Malamutes, Beagles, Chihuahuas, Cocker Spaniels, and other breeds experienced hind-end weakness, lethargy, depression, vomiting, and diarrhea after eating macadamia nuts. In some cases, the dogs were panting, unable to stand, and in obvious pain. Unbaked Yeast Dough - Mmmmm, bread dough. It’s so sweet and yeasty, and there it is, rising in a warm place in the kitchen, just within reach of an interested counter surfer. What a mistake! Rapidly multiplying yeast cells cause swallowed dough to continue rising, creating a risk of blockage or even rupture of the gas- trointestinal tract. Fermenting yeast also forms alcohol, and in severe cases, alcohol poisoning can occur. If you bake yeast bread, sourdough bread, pizza, cinnamon buns, yeast rolls, or holiday breads from scratch, remember to keep the rising dough in a safe, dog-proof location. And if your dog swallows any, call your veteri- narian immediately. Zinc Toxicosis - Dietary zinc is an important mineral, but its normal concentrations in the canine diet are very low, about 80 to 120 parts per million on a dry weight basis. The large amounts found in pennies, zinc-coated objects, and topical medications like zinc oxide cause acute zinc toxicity in dogs, leading to gastroenteritis, hemolytic anemia, inflammation, and possible necrosis (destruction of tissue) of the liver, kidney, and pancreas. The list goes on.. . Antifreeze, rat poison, ointments containing vitamin D, wild mushrooms, poisonous toads, prescription drugs, nutritional supplements, gar- den chemicals, cleaning chemicals, electrical cords, rub- ber bands, rubber gloves, string, dental loss, fluoride toothpaste, sticks, tennis balls – any of these and a hun- dred other things around the house can send a pup to the hospital. Keep potentially harmful items in closets, drawers, or cabinets that your dog can’t open, not on a table or countertop or in a bag left on the floor. Make sure your kids understand these rules. And always supervise your dog’s play indoors and out. As always check with your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns - they are your best bet. Happy Spring! Well what a winter we all had! Glad spring is here. A few of my 4 footed clients this past winter have gotten into some pretty rough stuff. So I thought I would tell you about them 908-766-9152 69 Claremont Road Bernardsville, NJ 07924 tan@baskinginthesun.com www.BaskingintheSun.com • Gina Louise • Union Of Angels ~ Cindy Bapst • Castings ~ Miami Beach • PapilonBlanc • Coeur • Krista Lee Jewelry • Esbe Designs • Lenny & Eva Not Just Tanning – Resort Wear and Unique Brands Shop Our Boutique