Poison Prevention Awareness Month

Poison Prevention Awareness Month: Toxic Foods

March represents poison prevention awareness! All this month we will provide information about different poisonous items ranging from foods to flowers that you should be aware of as a responsible pet owner. We will also discuss what to do in the case of an emergency. We hope we will be able to provide you all with some useful information!

Toxic Foods

Methylxanthines (Chocolate, soda, tea, guarana, coffee)
All of these products contain a substance call methylxanthines. Methylxanthines are found in cacao seeds, the fruit of the plant used to make coffee, and in the nuts of an extract found in some sodas. When ingested by your pet they stimulate the central nervous system and heart which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, excessive panting, abnormal heart rhythms, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, seizures and even death. Among chocolate, baking chocolate and dark chocolate are the most dangerous while white chocolate has the lowest levels of methylxanthines.

Avocado
The fruit, seeds, leaves and bark of the avocado contain persin which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in our canine companions. Birds and small mammals (rodents) are especially susceptible to avocado poisoning which can result in fluid building up around the heart and difficulty breathing.

Apples/Crabapples/Plums/Peaches/Cherries
The seeds, leaves, and stems of these fruits contain cyanide. Toxic levels of cyanide can result in your pet being unable to oxygenate their blood properly. Symptoms include brick red gums, difficulty breathing, panting, and other signs of shock.

Macadamia Nuts
These nuts are commonly used in many cookies and baked goods, however they can cause numerous issues in your companion pets. Macadamia nuts have been known to cause weakness, depression, tremors, elevated temperature, and vomiting. These symptoms can occurs within 12-24 hours after ingestion and usually last 12-24 hours.

Yeast Dough
Yeast dough, once eaten, can rise within your pet’s stomach and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s digestive system. Trapped gas can cause significant pain and even lead to rupture of your pet’s intestines. Even though small pieces of bread contain yeast, the risk is minimal as the yeast has already been cooked and the yeast has already risen. Therefore your pet can have pieces of bread as a treat as long as they do not have specific medical or dietary restrictions.

Grapes/Raisins (raw and cooked)
Scientifically, the toxin substance within grapes and raisins has not been determined . However it is known that grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure, which may be more pronounced if your pet has other serious medical issues. Signs of toxicity can include vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, and diarrhea.

Milk
Our companion pets do not have a significant amount of the enzyme lactase (lactase is needed to breakdown lactose in milk). Milk itself, and milk based products in excess or even small amounts can cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Onions (raw, powdered, cooked)/Garlic/Chives
All onions — whether cooked or raw — are a danger to your pet. Even a small amount of ingestion can poison your pet. Onions contain an ingredient called thiosulphate which causes the red blood cells circulating through your pet’s body to burst. Garlic and chives at high enough levels result in the same thing. Small amounts, such as those found in pet treats are usually safe. However, these items should never be fed at home to your pet in large amounts. Symptoms of this condition include breathlessness, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting and decreased appetite. It may take up to two to four days after your pet eats the onion for symptoms to appear.

Xylitol (gums, mints, sweeteners, toothpaste)
Xylitol is a sugar substitute commonly used in gum, candy, toothpaste, and baked goods. Ingestion of even small amounts will cause the rapid release of insulin (from your pet’s pancreas) which will subsequently result in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and can cause liver failure. As little as two or three sticks of xylitol gum could be toxic to a 20-pound dogs. The toxic effects can be seen within 30 minutes and can be very severe. Symptoms associated with xylitol poisoning include: vomiting, weakness, lack of coordination, depression, seizure, and coma. In some cases, xylitol poisoning can result in liver failure.

Undercook/raw meat/Bones/Eggs
Raw meat and eggs has been shown to harbor significant amounts of harmful bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella. These bacteria can cause significant gastrointestinal upset resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Raw bones can result in bacterial contamination as well as physical trauma from sharp splinters and pieces injuring your pet’s digestive track.

While we touched on the most common foods and substances there are more. If you have any questions or concerns please call the hospital anytime at 725-8117. Check out our blog to find all the information in one posting. Be sure to check in with us Monday as next week we will discuss common plants and flowers that could be toxic to your companion pet.

Dr. Santspree, Abbey LVT