Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Human Foods Poisonous to Dogs


Most dogs love food and especially yearn for "people food". After begging and begging, often, owners will let their dogs ‘taste’ the food eventually. However some foods which are edible for humans, and even other species of animals, can pose hazards for dogs because of their different metabolism. Some may cause only mild digestive upsets, whereas, others can cause severe illness, and even death. Knowing what foods to avoid feeding your dog is important, so you can prevent food poisoning on your dog.

Grapes and Raisins


  • 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.
Chocolate


  • 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.
Xylitol


  • 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.
Onions


  • 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.
Caffeinated Items


  • 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.
Alcohol and Yeast Dough



  • Alcoholic beverages contain ethanol - a seriously toxic chemical compound that causes central nervous system and respiratory depression.
  • Uncooked yeast dough 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.
Macadamia Nuts


  • Macadamia nuts, while generally not considered fatal, can cause your dog to experience severe illness.
  • The actually toxin is not know, 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 recommended for dogs that become very sick.
Fruit Pits and Seeds


  • 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, and 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



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



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.
(Article from About.com)


Sunday, November 7, 2010

Doggy Kisses Without Bad Breath


Let’s face it, you don’t want to kiss someone with stinky breath. You like your kisses to be sweet, and from someone who brushes their teeth. The same should go for your beloved canine friend. You want those doggy kisses to be sweet, not a mouthful of bad breath.

Unfortunately, dogs lack opposable thumbs and can’t use a toothbrush. You certainly don’t want to hurt any doggy feelings, because dogs are people, too. But never fear. The answer is actually quite simple. Brush your dog’s teeth on a regular basis.

                This is important because the same oral health issues you deal with, apply to your dog. Regular brushing, you see, helps keep the dog’s teeth and gums in tip-top shape, keeps tartar buildup and cavities under control, and, most importantly, gives your dog sweet, minty fresh breath.

So how exactly do you clean your dog's teeth? Because dog’s teeth are spaced more widely than yours, there’s no need for flossing. And you can use either a special toothbrush made for dogs, or a special finger glove brush that allows you to brush with your finger.


                Also, there’s no need for rinsing and spitting. There are special types of toothpaste which you can buy that don't require rinsing. Never use human toothpaste on your dogs.


Dental hygiene is about good maintenance and health. Check to see if there are any broken teeth or other signs of ill health while you are inspecting your dog's mouth. Dogs are known to damage teeth by experimenting with rocks as food, chewing on hard bones, or by catching Frisbees, sticks and other hard objects. The good news is that by making teeth cleanings a routine, you'll catch any dental problems before they become severe. Early detection is good news for everyone, as it may save your dog's teeth -- it'll probably even save you a large vet bill.

Make brushing your dog's teeth a part of the weekly grooming process. Your dog will feel like the center of the universe, and you’ll be able to indulge in doggy kisses without bad dog breath again.

(Article from PetMD)


Saturday, November 6, 2010

Dog Anatomy

Click on picture for enlarged view

Ear: The auditory organ consisting of three regions: inner ear, middle ear, and the pinna (or leather).
Skull: The bony structure of the head.
Stop: The indentation between the eyes.
Muzzle: The head in front of the eyes – nasal bones, nostrils and jaws; foreface.
Nose: Organ of olfaction.
Cheek: The fleshy regions at the sides of the head.
Neck: The part of body which distinguishes the head and the torso (trunk).
Shoulder: The formation of the shoulder blade and the upper arm.
Upper Arm: The bone of the foreleg, between the shoulder blade and the forearm.
Forearm: The portion of the forelimb between the upper arm and the wrist.
Wrist: The joint between forearm and pastern on the front legs.
Pastern: The metacarpal bones of the front leg between the carpus and the foot and the metatarsal bones and the hind leg between the hock and the foot.
Toes: The digits of the foot.
Stopper Pad: The fleshy cushion on the front legs situated at the back of the wrist.
Elbow: The joint in the front leg where the upper arm meets the forearm.
Brisket: Usually refers to the sternum, but in some standards it refers to the entire thorax.
Pad: Tough, shock-absorbing projections on the underside of the feet; soles.
Hock: The collection of bones of the hind leg forming the joint between the second thigh and the metatarsus. (This is the ankle in man).
Hock Joint: The joint on the hind limb located between the lower thigh and the rear pastern.
Stifle: The joint of the hind leg between the thigh and the second thigh; the dog’s knee.
Upper Thigh: The area between the hip joint above and the stifle below.
Croup (Rump): The region of the pelvic girdle.
Loin: The region of the body associated with the lumbar portion of the vertebrae (behind the ribs and before the pelvic girdle).
Tail: The section at the rear end of the body.
Ribs: The long curved bones which form the ribcage.
Back: The dorsal surface (topline) of the dog, usually extending from the withers.
Withers: The region defined by the dorsal portions of the spinous processes of the first two thoracic vertebrae and flanked by the dorsal portion of the scapulae.
Occiput: The dorsal, posterior point of the skull.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Good Grooming = Good Health


No one likes a bad hair day. Your dog certainly doesn’t; he feels just as uncomfortable as you do when his hair is all ratty and matted. But grooming is more than just having him look and feel good; it’s important to his health. It’s more than just a bath; it includes brushing, combing, keeping his teeth and ears clean, clipping his nails, and keeping him in top shape.

            We all know how to comb our own hair, but not all pet owners know or understand how to groom their pets effectively. Is your Poodle a mess of tangles until the groomer has to shave him down every time you bring him to the pet salon? How is your Shih Tzu’s skin under the long coat? Do your Cocker’s ears smell foul with black waxy buildup? Grooming is directly related to health in many ways. Your pet’s outward appearance can be the signal of internal health problem.

            Below are some basic steps of grooming that you can do at home to keep your dog clean and healthy. Do this kind of maintenance regularly; you can prevent headache and disaster later on.

 

Brushing and Combing          


Most dogs don’t actually need baths all that frequently, but they must be brushed and combed often – usually twice weekly, depending on the breed and coat. Use a slicker brush, brush through the coat layer by layer. For long-coated breeds like Shih Tzu and Maltese, use a pin brush. Smooth-coated dogs like Pug and Beagle need brushing too! Use a rubber brush. Then, run through the coat with a comb to remove last traces of tangle, and to check for any tick or flea. Brushing and combing are good for your dog’s skin and coat, because they distribute oils from the skin throughout the coat, get rid of dirt, tangles, and dead hair, keeping the coat shinny and healthy.

 

Ear Cleaning


Ears produce wax, trap dirt, grow hair, retain moisture, and easily develop infections when they aren’t kept clean. Check insides of your dog’s ears for dirt and excessive wax buildup. A little wax is normal, but large amount of ear wax that looks brownish or smells foul, the ears may be infected. If your dog has hair growth inside the ears, you need to pluck it out. Apply a little ear powder, pluck out hairs with your fingers or using an ear forceps. Never probe deeper than you can actually see. Otherwise, you could reach the sensitive tympanic membrane and cause serious damage. Put few drops of ear wash on the cotton pad and cotton bud, clean around ear flaps and the openings. Again, do not probe too deep.

 

Nail Trimming


Some pet owners claim that their dogs hate nail trimming. They struggle horribly and it is almost impossible for the owners to trim their nails, so they just give up. Unless your dog runs around on hard surfaces that help keep this nails short, you have to clip them. Nail trimming not only keeps your dog’s feet looking heat, but it also preserves his orthopedic health. Your dog can’t walk or run comfortably if his nails are too long. Take your dog’s paw in one hand, clip off the tip of nail, just above the quick that is, blood vessel in the nail. You must be careful not to cut the 'quick'. Cutting the quick will cause bleeding and painful to your dog. If you do snip into the quick and nail start bleeding, wipe off blood and press a little styptic powder on the end of nail. Apply pressure for a few seconds to stop bleeding. If you really could not do it, take them to a groomer to do the job.

 

Eye Check


Check your dog’s eyes every day. Most dogs occasionally accumulate debris in the corners of their eyes. Wipe down the face with moist, clean cotton. This should be done daily. Apply eye drops if necessary (for breed with tendency towards dry eyes).



If you discover any unusual on your dog, such as flaky skin, sores, redness, hair loss. It could be a sign of his health problem. You may need to address him to a vet. It is fine if you don’t know how to do the bathing, drying, clipping and styling for your dog. You can take your dog to a professional groomer.  

You are responsible for the dog’s health and well-being. Remember that grooming is an important part of owning a dog. Those things that I’ve mentioned above are something you can do yourself to keep your dog well-groomed. Not only it helps to strengthen the relationship between you and your dog, it allows you to discover the health problem of your dog early. So start the regular grooming routine today, you will soon find that your dog will accept it more readily, and will enjoy the time you spend together on the grooming table.