* Grapes and Raisins can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys,
possible resulting in death.
* Ingesting as few as 4-5 grapes or raisins can be poisonous to a 20
pound dog, though the exact toxic dose is not established.
* Signs of toxicity include vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea,
abdominal pain, decreased urine production (possibly leading to lack of urine
production), weakness and drunken gait.
* Onset of signs typically occurs within 24 hours (though they can
start just a few hours after consumption)
* Your vet may start by inducing vomiting, or the stomach might be
pumped (gastric lavage). Treatment involves aggressive supportive care -
particularly fluid therapy and medications.
Onions
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* Onions can cause a form of hemolytic anemia called Heinz body anemia,
a condition that causes the destruction of red blood cells. Kidney damage may
follow.
* Toxicity may occur from similar foods such as garlic and chives.
* It is not clear what quantity of onions is poisonous, but the effects
can be cumulative. Poisoning can result from raw, cooked and dehydrated forms.
Avoid feeding table scraps and any foods cooked with onions (including some
baby foods). Check your ingredients!
* Signs are secondary to anemia, such as pale gums, rapid heart rate,
weakness and lethargy. Other signs include vomiting, diarrhea, and bloody
urine.
* Treatment: blood transfusions and/or oxygen administration may be
necessary, followed by specific fluid therapy.
Chocolate
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* Chocolate and cocoa contain a chemical called theobromide that can
adversely affect the heart, lungs, kidney and central nervous system.
* Pure baking chocolate is most toxic, while milk chocolate requires a
higher quantity to cause harm. A 20 pound dog can be poisoned after consuming
about 2 ounces of baking chocolate, but it would take nearly 20 ounces of milk
chocolate to cause harm. Ingestion of cacao bean mulch can also be toxic.
* Signs include excitement, tremors, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea,
abnormal heart rate/rhythm, drunken gait, hyperthermia and coma.
* Your vet may induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage. Treatment
includes administration of activated charcoal and aggressive supportive care
with fluid therapy and medications.
Caffeinated Items
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* Caffeine is quite similar to the toxic chemical in chocolate. It can
damage the heart, lungs, kidney and central nervous system.
* Commons sources of toxicity include caffeine pills, coffee beans and
coffee, large amounts of tea, and chocolate.
* Signs typically begin with restlessness, hyperactivity and vomiting.
These can be followed by panting, weakness, drunken gait increased heart rate,
muscle tremors and convulsions.
* Your vet may induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage. Treatment
includes administration of activated charcoal and supportive care with fluid
therapy and medications.
Macadamia Nuts
Photo © jessicafm on flickr
* Macadamia nuts, while generally not considered fatal, can cause your
dog to experience severe illness.
* The actually toxin is not known, nor is the mechanism of toxicity.
* Ingestion of just a handful of nuts can cause adverse effects in any
dog.
* Signs include vomiting, weakness, depression, drunken gait,
joint/muscle pain, and joint swelling.
* Onset of signs typically occurs within 6-24 hours.
* Dogs are typically treated symptomatically and recover within 24-48
hours. In-hospital supportive care may be recommend for dogs that become very
sick.
Xylitol
Photo © Hyoh on flickr
* Xylitol is a sugar-free sweetener most often found in chewing gum and
candy. In dogs, it stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin, resulting in
hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Xylitol ingestion can also cause severe liver
damage.
* As few as two pieces of gum can be hypoglycemia to a 20 pound dog. A
pack of gum can cause liver damage.
* Signs of toxicity can occur within 30-60 minutes and include
weakness, drunken gait, collapse and seizures.
* Your vet may induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage. The affected
dog will likely need to be treated intravenously with dextrose (sugar) and
monitored closely for 1-2 days. Many dogs improve with supportive care if
treated early enough, though liver damage can be permanent.
Alchohol and Yeast Dough
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* Alcoholic beverages contain ethanol - a seriously toxic chemical
compound that causes central nervous system and respiratory depression.
* Uncooked yeast doughs also produce ethanol.
* Even small amounts of ethanol can cause toxic effects.
* Signs include sedation, depression, lethargy, weakness, drunken gait
and hypothermia (low body temperature).
* Ethanol is rapidly absorbed into the system, so it is important to
seek medical attention quickly. It is not usually helpful to induce vomiting.
Treatment includes aggressive supportive care with fluid therapy and
medications.
* Under controlled circumstances, alcohol is used by veterinarians as
an antidote for antifreeze (ethylene glycol) poisoning.
Fruit Pits and Seeds
Photo © cbowns on flickr
* Apple seeds, cherry pits, peach pits, and plum pits contain the toxin
cyanide.
* Signs of cyanide poisoning include vomiting, heavy breathing, apnea
tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, coma, skin irritation.
* In some cases, antidotes are available. Other treatments include
oxygen therapy, fluids and supportive care.
* Also take note that the leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados
contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Also, the fat
content is not healthy for dogs.
Rotten or Moldy Foods
Photo copy; Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Moldy or rotten foods can cause many problems for your dog, some more serious
than others. Any food that seems "past its prime" should be kept out reach. Be
especially careful to keep your dog away from trash cans.
* Botulism, often from garbage, can cause paralysis, slow heart rate,
constipation, and urine retention. An antitoxin is effective only if poisoning
is caught early enough.
* Rotten fruit produces ethanol, causing the same effects associated
with alcohol or dough ingestion.
* Moldy foods contain toxins that may cause muscle tremors, convulsions
and drunkenness.
* Therapy depends on the toxin. Your vet may induce vomiting.
Sometimes, treatment includes activated charcoal. Supportive care with fluids
and medications is often necessary.
Other Foods to Avoid
Photo Chris Amaral / Getty Images
Certain foods, while not considered toxic, can still be unhealthy for your dog.
Avoid any foods that are high in fat, sugar or sodium. These foods can
contribute to indigestion, obesity, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and
more. Dairy products may be difficult for dogs to digest. Corn cobs and bones
can cause GI obstruction. Cooked bones may splinter and break easily, risking
GI damage.
Like people, too much junk food can cause poor condition and decreased energy.
Remember that your dog is smaller than you and may be sensitive. What seems
like "just a bite" for you is more like a small meal for your dog. If you want
to feed homemade food, seek advice from your vet. You may wish to meet with a
nutritionist for diet recommendations.
Kitty and the Canine Gang,
Maxx, Jill, Baby and Bits
Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened.
Anatoe France
