DOGS AND TOXINS

Here is my article on Dogs and Toxins

There are many things a dog shouldn’t eat, besides chocolate.

A tiny dog is more apt to have a higher reaction than a larger breed to the same amount of a substance. Some dogs are also more overly sensitive to certain toxins than others.

Some things will make dogs sick, while many others will quickly kill them.

Pups are more likely to be taste testing and putting everything in their mouths, so they are especially vulnerable.

The toxins list is massive, but I will mention a few common ones to watch for.

Many plants- both house plants and outdoor varieties, are highly toxic if eaten. The entire plant Lilly of the Valley is extremely dangerous- it can actually leach toxins from it’s roots into water, and make that poisonous as well. Sago Palm, Azaleas, Christmas Cactus, Poppies, and Foxglove all should be avoided around dogs. Dogs will sometimes even eat tobacco and marijuana, which can often require a trip to the emergency veterinary clinic.

Cocoa mulch is very toxic, and dogs will seek it out because they love the taste.

The seeds from peaches, cherries and plums are all toxic.

Radiator fluid is very sweet tasting, and dogs will drink it readily right off the ground, again highly toxic. Some companies have now added a bitter taste to their products, which should decrease the number of animals and children killed from drinking radiator fluid.

Mouse bait, even in very small amounts, can be deadly if the dog isn’t treated immediately after ingesting it.

Sugar free products, especially ones containing Xylitol like some peanut butters and gum can be deadly.

Common household foods like raisins, grapes, yeast dough, onions, alcohol, macadamia nuts, caffeine, and high salt/high sugary foods need to be stored away safely.

A dog eating too much meat fat can quickly develop pancreatitis.

Many human prescription medications are a problem as well- while some dogs will snag a bottle and chew it open, others will find pills on the floor and quickly eat them.

Seconds count when a dog has swallowed a toxin. I keep food grade 3% hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting in dogs, and ToxiBan- which slows absorption of toxins. These all have my current dog’s dosage written right on the bottles, and I also have a large syringe readily available with them. It’s important to pre condition your dogs to accept liquid from a syringe, small amounts of low salt bone broth works well, most dogs love the taste.

                                                   Kenji