FEATURED TIP: Dangerous Foods

We as pet owners are often tempted to give table scraps to our pets as a special treat. Unfortunately, there are some types of human foods that can be dangerous to our pets. It is very important as pet owners to be aware of the possible problems associated with feeding our pets the following foods.

If you feel that your pet may have eaten any of the foods below or something, which you suspect may be toxic, please give the office a call. Our doctors are available 24/7 for any questions that you may have when you believe your pet may have eaten something harmful.

Moldy Foods
Moldy foods may contain certain tremorgenic mycotoxins such as penitrem-A and roquefortine. Tremorgenic mycotoxins can induce muscle tremors, ataxia, and convulsions that can last for several days. Intoxication has been reported in many species; however, dogs that roam or have access to spoiled foods are more at risk. With early aggressive treatment, prognosis is good.

Chocolate
Chocolate is a mixture of cocoa beans and cocoa butter. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which are both classified as methylxanthines. Unfortunately, dogs are sensitive to the effects of methylxanthines. Depending on the dose, methylxanthines can cause hyperactivity, increased heart rate, tremors, and potentially death. Other effects seen with chocolate overdose include vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, increased urination, and lethargy.

The amount of methylxanthines present in chocolate varies with the type. The general rule is the more bitter the chocolate, the more toxic it could be. In fact, unsweetened baking chocolate contains almost seven times more theobromine as milk chocolate while white chocolate (a combination of cocoa butter, sugar, butterfat, milk solids, and flavorings without cocoa beans) contains negligible amounts of methylxanthines. Early treatment and supportive care, is extremely helpful with chocolate poisoning.

Onions
Onions are members of the genus Allium (Other members of this genus include garlic, leek, shallot, and chive). Pieces of onion, onion powder, or even cooked onion, can cause damage to red blood cells, which could result in anemia in both dogs and cats. The primary toxic component is n-propyl disulfide, which is thought to cause oxidative damage to erythrocytes, resulting in hemolysis. Toxicoses from fresh, dried, or, powdered plant material have been reported in dogs and cats. In one study, dogs developed hemolytic anemia after being fed 30 g/kg of onions once daily for 3 days. Feeding commercial baby food containing onion powder has also been reported to cause toxicity in cats. Clinical signs associated with onion poisoning include hemolytic anemia, hemoglobinuria, vomiting, weakness, and pallor.

Macadamia Nuts
According to a retrospective study, clinical signs commonly reported in dogs ingesting macadamia nuts include weakness, depression, vomiting, ataxia, tremors, and hyperthermia. In most cases, dogs developed clinical signs within the first twelve hours post ingestion. These signs have only been seen in dogs and the exact cause for their sensitivity is unknown.

Rising Bread Dough
Ingestion of rising bread dough can be life-threatening to dogs. The animal's body heat will cause the dough to rise in the stomach. Ethanol is produced during the rising process; and, the dough may expand several times its original size. Signs seen with bread dough ingestion are associated with ethanol toxicoses and foreign body obstruction may include severe abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, incoordination, and depression.

Grapes and Raisins
Some types of grapes and raisins have been shown to cause kidney failure in dogs when eaten in quantity. The basis for kidney failure following consumption of grapes or raisins is unclear, but is currently being studied in the veterinary community. The amount of grapes or raisins that may cause renal failure is not exactly known, so any amount could potentially be dangerous.

Tobacco Products
Tobacco products contain varying amounts of nicotine with cigarettes containing 13-30 mg and cigars containing 15-40 mg. Cigarette butts contain about 25% of the total nicotine content. The minimum lethal dose in dogs and cats is reported as 20-100 mg. Signs often develop quickly (usually within 15-45 minutes) and include excitation, tachypnea, salivation, emesis, and diarrhea. Muscle weakness, twitching, depression, tachycardia, shallow respiration, collapse, coma, and cardiac arrest can follow the period of excitation.

Information taken from Veterinary Information Network.