Thanksgiving Day Foods that could Kill Your Dog

The ASPCA warns that the following traditional Thanksgiving foods could harm / kill your dog so don't share with your canine friend and have a Happy Thanksgiving:

1. Turkey Skin
2. Cooked Bones
3. Onions & Garlic
4. Alcohol
5. Nuts
6. Nutmeg
7. Sage
8. Chocolate, Dough & Batter

Top 11 plants poisonous to dogs

According to Pet Poison Helpline a 24hr animal poison control service in the USA and Canada the top 11 most poisonous plants to dogs are as follows:

1. Autumn Crocus
2. Azalea
3. Cyclamen
4. Kalanchoe
5. Lilies
6. Oleander
7. Dieffenbachia
8. Daffodils
9. Lily of the Valley
10. Sago Palm
11. Tulips and Hyacinths

In this video Dr Justine Lee talks about what plants are poisonous to your dog:

Can dogs drink tea or coffee?

 

Both tea and coffee contain the stimulant caffeine which can be dangerous to dogs in high doses but the occasional weak tea or coffee is unlikely to cause a problem. But it will depend on the size of your dog, eg. a small terrier type could show signs of agitation after drinking only half a cup of strong tea or as little as a quarter of a cup of coffee.

If your dog enjoys sharing your tea or coffee you can avoid the risks by offering decaffeinated versions or a pet brand such as Woof and Brew.

Image: Vanderdecken via Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 things not to feed your dog

Courtesy of Enjoy Yums their list of the top 10 things you should NEVER feed your dog:
1. Chocolate
2. Alcohol
3. Avocado
4. Macadamia Nuts
5. Xylitol
6. Yeast Dough
7. Raw Meat of Fish
8. Bones
9. Grapes or Raisins
10. Onions or Garlic
As they say "Read your labels!"

Questionnaire to help investigation into New Forest dog deaths

Following a number of dog deaths in the New Forest, Hampshire the Animal Health Trust is asking for dog walkers to fill out a questionnaire to help with investigations as to the cause.

"A recent spate of dog deaths in the New Forest in Hampshire has prompted our scientists to assist in an on-going investigation into this mystery dog illness.

Dog owners are advised to look out for wounds or lesions on the limbs or face of their dog which will not heal. Affected dogs then go on to develop signs of severe depression, loss of appetite, and vomiting, quickly accompanied by acute injury to the kidneys, which is understood to have proven fatal in all but two cases to date.

If you have walked your dog in the New Forest Fordingbridge area since the beginning of 2013, please complete this questionnaire, even if your dog has not been affected. 

The actual cause of acute kidney failure, and its link to the initial wounds, is a mystery. This forms the focus of the current investigation which is being led by Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in Winchester in collaboration with Forest Veterinary Clinic in Fordingbridge - the area which has been most affected. Lynwood Vets is also closely involved with the investigation, as it has seen a number of cases.
David Walker, Head of Internal Medicine at Anderson Moores, said: “We are working with a number of veterinary and medical colleagues in the UK and the US to try and identify the cause of this concerning cluster of cases as quickly as we can. Pet owners should seek veterinary attention if they identify a wound on their dog’s legs or face. “

Dr Richard Newton, our Head of Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology, said: “Input from dog walkers is essential to progress the investigation, even if their dog wasn’t affected. The questionnaire will provide vital information to help in identifying areas of highest risk, and possibly factors that contribute to the condition in this area of the New Forest.”

It is important for dog owners walking their pets in the New Forest to be vigilant. If your dog develops the clinical signs as mentioned above, seek advice from your local vet immediately.

If you are a dog owner and have any concerns or questions, please direct your enquiries to Forest Veterinary Clinic on 01425 652221 or by emailing: forestvetsAKI@aol.co.uk If you are a vet, please direct your enquiries to Anderson Moores on 01962 76792 or by emailing info@andersonmoores.com.
A hard copy of the New Forest questionnaire can be provided by emailing info@aht.org.uk."

What Makes Chocolate Poisonous to Dogs?

You do know that chocolate is incredibly poisonous to dogs don't you?

Dogs and chocolate do not mix. Although dogs, like humans, love the taste of chocolate for them consuming it can result in vomiting, diarrhea,  hyperactivity, tremors, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, seizures, respiratory failure, internal bleeding, cardiac arrest and death.

This is because chocolate contains an alkaloid called theobromine, a stimulant found in the cocoa bean which affects the central nervous system and heart and unfortunately for dogs they can't metabolize it as fast as humans can resulting in theobromine poisoning.

Image: Aka via Wikimedia Commons