Health and Dogs

[administrator]

Xylitol (Chewing Gum Sweetener) dangerous for dogs!
This is a press release from 2006, but as valid today!
You can also read about it at http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/xylitol.asp.
Let us know if you have any health hazard you want us to know about! Post it here!
Claudia - administrator

No Sugar Coating: Products Sweetened With Xylitol Can Be Toxic To Dogs

-Number of 2005 Xylitol-Related Cases Up More Than 150% Over Previous Year
- Sugar-free Chewing Gums, Candies, Baked Goods Among Products

ASPCA Media Contacts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Urbana, Ill., August 21, 2006—The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center cautions animal owners that xylitol, a sweetener found in certain sugar-free chewing gums, candies, baked goods and other products can potentially cause serious and even life-threatening problems for pets.

“Last year, we managed more than 170 cases involving xylitol-containing products,” says Dana Farbman, CVT and spokesperson for the Center. “This is a significant increase from 2004, when we managed about 70.” Barely halfway into 2006, the Center has already managed about 114 cases. Why the increase? “It’s difficult to say,” Farbman states. “Xylitol products are relatively new to the United States marketplace, so one possibility may be an increase in availability.”

According to Dr. Eric Dunayer, veterinarian and toxicologist for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, dogs ingesting significant amounts of items sweetened with xylitol could develop a fairly sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination and seizures. “These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product. Therefore, it is crucial that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately.” Dr. Dunayer also stated that there appears to be a strong link between xylitol ingestions and the development of liver failure in dogs.


While it was previously thought that only large concentrations of xylitol could result in problems, this appears to no longer be the case. “We seem to be learning new information with each subsequent case we manage,” says Dr. Dunayer. “Our concern used to be mainly with products that contain xylitol as one of the first ingredients. However, we have begun to see problems developing from ingestions of products with lesser amounts of this sweetener.” He also says that with smaller concentrations of xylitol, the onset of clinical signs could be delayed as much as 12 hours after ingestion. “Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that even if your pet does not develop signs right away, it does not mean that problems won’t develop later on.”

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center strongly urges pet owners to be especially diligent in keeping candy, gum or other foods containing xylitol out of the reach of pets. As with any potentially toxic substance, should accidental exposures occur, it is important to contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for immediate assistance.

[RainStorm]

On Sunday, June 22, 2008 my 10-year old labmix, Chai, sustained a severe injury from a product that the company Four Paws Inc, produces. The toy I'm referencing is the pimple ball with bell. (Item #20227-001, UPC Code 0 4566320227 9)

While chewing on the toy, a vacuum was created and it effectively sucked his tongue into the hole in the ball. From speaking with my vet, this likely occurred because there is not a second hole in the ball preventing the vacuum effect from happening. I became aware of this when Chai approached a friend at my home whimpering with the ball in his mouth. She tried unsuccessfully to remove the ball but the tongue had swollen and cou ld not be released.

Chai was taken to the Animal Medical Center (an emergency care facility in New York City) and was treated by Dr. Nicole Spurlock to have the ball removed. Because the size of the opening on the ball was so small, all circulation to his tongue was cut off. The doctors had to sedate him in order to remove it. Once the ball was removed, his tongue swelled to the point that he could no longer put it in his mouth. Chai was sent home with care instructions and to be observed overnight for any changes.

By the following morning Chai's tongue had swollen even more.

He was taken to his regular vet, Dr. Timnah Lee, for treatment. He was admitted and kept sedated for a period of three days during which time they were treating his wounds and waiting to determine how much of his tongue could be saved. On June 26, 2008 Chai had his tongue amputated.

He was kept in after-care for an additional three days. On Sunday June 29th I brought Chai home from the vet with a barrage of home care instructions, to last for an additional 7 days. His next visit was to have his mouth re-examined and have the feeding tube in his neck removed.

On the way home from the vet we stopped at Petland Discount where I purchased their product to speak to the manager on duty. Upon meeting Chai and seeing his condition, he removed all of the balls in question from the shelves. He also gave me the customer service number to their corporate headquarters to request that they refuse to continue purchasing all Four Paws products, but I have not called them as of yet.
Additionally, I shared my story with friends who have a French Bulldog named Petunia. Upon hearing my story their eyes widened. They explained that the same thing happened twice in one night with a smaller version of the same ball to their dog. Fortunately, they were able to pull it off before the tongue swelled, but not without tremendous effort and pain to the dog. They recalled how horrific it was to hear their dog screaming while they had to pry the ball from her tongue.

To date, my veterinary bills total over $5000.00 and I will have regular follow up appointments for some time. Additionally, Chai now requires a much more expensive form of food because of this injury, averaging approximately $200 per month.

Also - I am Chai's sole caretaker and the regime required to care for him following his surgery has forced me to lose a great deal of business. I am a hair stylist and my salon is in my home. Given that Chai needs constant attention, and given that he has been wailing in pain, I have not been able to see clients.
Additionally, I now have to re-teach my dog to eat, drink and adjust to life without his tongue. Just walking him requires about 30min twice a day and we only make it three blocks. Feeding him takes me about 90 minutes twice a day and for at least this first week he is not to be unattended for more than 20 minutes at time.


RESPONSE FROM FOUR PAWS:

Thank you very much for your email message. Like you, Four Paws is deeply concerned about reports of injuries suffered by some dogs as a result of a manufacturing defect in some of our Pimple Ball toys.
We want you to know that we have stopped shipping these toys to our distributors and we have asked them to have retailers immediately remove the toys from their shelves and return them at our expense.
We have also stopped all shipments of the toys from the manufacturer, and we are sending Executive Vice President Barry Askin to personally inspect the manufacturer's facility in order to make sure that the defect has been corrected. ??The ball was designed with two holes to eliminate risk of suction. ?Unfortunately, in the production of some balls, the smaller second hole became blocked on t he inside, thus making it hard to detect the defect with the naked eye.
As a result, in addition to repairing the toy molds, we are also changing the packaging of the Pimple Balls. ?The packaging change will result in a tie that must clear both holes, thus insuring there are always two clear holes in the toy.
If you purchased a Four Paws Pimple Ball with Bell toy, please immediately take the toy away from your pet. ?Instructions to return the toy are posted on our website http://www.fourpaws.com
Thank you again for your message and your c oncern. ?Please be assured that the safety and well being of pets is our top priority and we are doing everything we can to make sure that this problem is solved as quickly as possible.
Sincerely,

Allen Simon
President/CEO


Best Regards,
Customer Service
Four Paws Products, LTD
50 Wireless Blvd.
Hauppauge, NY 11788
(631) 434-1100 - Phone
(631) 434-1183 - Fax
CustomerService@FourPaws.com
http://www.FourPaws.com

For the most current information about the Pimple Ball:
http://www.fourpaws.com/news/press-room ... h-bell.htm

[Claudia]

GRADE YOUR DOG'S FOOD

Look at the ingredients information of your dog food. Find the ingredient listed on
the table below. Starting with 100 points, add or subtract the points given for
each ingredient and total the points. Print this sheet to total your points for
each item & then the grade scale is listed at the end of the table. We've listed at
the bottom of this page the Grading Results for some Popular dog foods by Brand and
then by Score.

INGREDIENT Points
(Add or Subtract) New Score
For every listing of "By-Product" -10
For every Non-Specific Animal Source ("Meat" or "Poultry", Meat, Meal or Fat)
reference -10
For every Grain "Mill Run" or Non-Specific Grain Source - 5
Same Grain ingredient used 2 or more times in the first 5 ingredients. (example:
ground brown rice, brewer's rice, and rice flour are all the same grain) - 5
Corn listed in the top 5 ingredients -2
Protein Sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3
ingredients - 3
If Lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other
protein sources) - 2
Food is Baked NOT Extruded + 5
Food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist + 5
Animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free + 2
Vegetables have been tested for pesticides and ARE Pesticide-Free +1
Any of the meat sources are Organic + 5
For every different specific animal protein source, other than the1st one.
(example: Count "chicken" & "chicken meal" as only 1 protein source, BUT count
"chicken" & "fish" as 2 different sources) + 1

IF THE FOOD CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING:
BHA, BHT, or Ethoxyquin - 10
Any Artificial Colorants - 3
Ground Corn or Whole Grain Corn - 3
Any Animal Fat (other than Fish Oil) - 2
Soy or Soybeans - 2
Salt - 1
Wheat (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to wheat) -2
Beef (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to beef) - 1
Fruit + 3
Barley + 2
Probiotics + 3
Vegetables (NOT Corn or Other Grains) + 3
Flax Seed Oil (not just the seeds) + 2
Oats or Oatmeal + 1
Sunflower Oil + 1
Glucosamine & Chondroitin + 1

TOTAL POINTS HERE

100 +/- = _______
Grade Scale

100+ = A+ 94-100 = A 86-93 = B 78-85 =C 70-77 = D
69-below = F

SEE THE DOG FOODS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN SCORED.
For convenience we have listed the dog foods Alphabetically by Brand & then by
Numerically by Score

Alphabetically by Brand
Brand Score Grade

Authority Harvest Baked 116 A+
Bil-Jac Select 68 F
Canidae 112 A+
Chicken Soup Senior 115 A+
Diamond Maintenance 64 F
Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice 92 B
Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula 99 A
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium 122 A+
Dick Van Patten's Duck and Potato 106 A+
Eagle Pack Holistic 119 A+
Eagle Pack Holistic Chicken 114 A+
Eagle Pack Large and Giant Breed Puppy 94 A
Eagle Pack Natural 94 A
Eukanuba Large Breed Adult 83 C
Eukanuba Natural Lamb and Rice 87 B
Flint River Ranch (non-specific fat source) 92 B
Foundations 106 A+
Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold 93 A
Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium 73 D
Iams Large Breed 83 C
Innova Dog 114 A+
Innova Evo 114 A+
Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables 110 A+
Kirkland Signature Puppy Chicken, Rice and Vegetable 108 A+
Natural Balance Duck and Potato 114 A+
Nutrisource Lamb and Rice 87 B
Nutro Chicken, Rice, & Oatmeal (non-specific fat source) 85 C
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy 87 B
Nutro Natural choice Lamb and Rice 85 C
Ol Roy 9 F
Pedigree Complete Nutrition 42 F
Pedigree Adult Complete 14 F
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice 23 F
Pro Plan All Breed 68 F
Pro Plan Natural Turkey & Barley 103 A+
Purina Beneful 17 F
Purina Dog 62 F
Purina Come-n-Get It 16 F
Royal Canin Bulldog 100 A+
Royal Canin Dachshund 28 Formula 97 A
Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult 106 A+
Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice 97 A
Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ 63 F
Science Diet chicken adult maintenance 45 F
Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies 69 F
Solid Gold Bison 123 A+
Timberwolf Organics Lamb and Venison 136 A+
Wellness Just for Puppy 117 A+
Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken 110 A+
Solid Gold Wolfking Adult Dog (Bison) 97 A
Numerical by Score
Brand Score Grade
Timberwolf Organics Lamb and Venison 136 A+
Solid Gold Bison 123 A+
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium Score 122 A+
Eagle Pack Holistic Score 119 A+
Wellness Just for Puppy Score 117 A+
Authority Harvest Baked Score 116 A+
Chicken Soup Senior Score 115 A+
Eagle Pack Holistic Chicken Score 114 A+
Innova Dog Score 114 A+
Innova Evo Score 114 A+
Natural Balance Duck and Potato Score 114 A+
Canidae Score 112 A+
Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables Score 110 A+
Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken Score 110 A+
Kirkland Signature Puppy Chicken, Rice and Vegetable Score 108 A+
Dick Van Patten's Duck and Potato Score 106 A+
Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult 106 A+
Foundations 106 A+
ProPlan Natural Turkey & Barley 103 A+
Royal Canin Bulldog 100 A+
Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula 99 A
Royal Canin Dachshund 28 Formula 97 A
Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice 97 A
Solid Gold Wolfking Adult Dog (Bison) 97 A A
Eagle Pack Large and Giant Breed Puppy 94 A A
Eagle Pack Natural 94 A A
Solid Gold Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) 93 A A
Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice 92 B B
Flint River Ranch (non-specific fat source) 92 B B
Eukanuba Natural Lamb and Rice 87 B B
Nutrisource Lamb and Rice 87 B B
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy 87 B
Nutro Chicken, Rice, & Oatmeal (non-specific fat source) 85 C
Nutro Natural choice Lamb and Rice 85 C
Eukanuba Large Breed Adult 83 C
Iams Large Breed 83 C
Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium 73 D
Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies 69 F
Bil-Jac Select 68 F
Pro Plan All Breed 68 F
Diamond Maintenance 64 F
Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ 63 F
Purina Dog 62 F
Science Diet chicken adult maintenance 45 F
Pedigree Complete Nu 42 F
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice 23 F
Purina Beneful 17 F
Purina Come-n-Get It 16 F
Pedigree Adult Complete 14 F
Ol Roy 9 F

[RainStorm]

This came from the Alaska Dog Show group:

Info all dog and cat owners should be aware of...
>
> I have just been made aware of deadly potpourri easily purchased at
>WalMart and other outlets...it is from India and contains strychnine. I
>know of at least 2 dogs who have just died from eating very small
>quantities...they suffered seizures and respiratory arrest. There is a lab
>in England that has case studies relating to the strychnine content.
> Especially during the holidays, many households use potpourri. Just to
>be safe, I suggest that all of it is either discarded or kept strictly out
>of reach of our dogs and cats.
>
> PERMISSION TO CROSS POST
>
>Stephanie Abraham

[administrator]

Poisoning Dangers! Raisins/Grapes

Written by:
Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic
Danville , OH

This week I had the first case in history of raisin toxicity ever seen at MedVet.
My patient was a 56-pound, 5 yr old male neutered lab mix that ate half a canister of raisins sometime between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM on Tuesday. He started with vomiting, diarrhea and shaking about 1AM on Wednesday but the owner didn't call my emergency service until 7AM .

I had heard somewhere about raisins AND grapes causing acute Renal failure but
hadn't seen any formal paper on the subject. We had her bring the dog in immediately. In the meantime, I called the ER service at MedVet, and the doctor there was like me - he had heard something about it, but ...
Anyway, we contacted the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center and they said to give IV fluids at 1 & 1/2 times maintenance and watch the kidney values for the next 48-72 hours. The dog's BUN (blood urea nitrogen level)
was already at 32 (normal less than 27)and creatinine over 5 (1.9 is the high end of normal).
Both are monitors of kidney function in the bloodstream. We placed an IV catheter and started the fluids. We rechecked the renal values at 5 PM and the BUN was over 40 and creatinine over 7 with no urine production after a liter of fluids. At this point I felt the dog was in acute renal failure and sent him on to MedVet for a urinary catheter to monitor urine output overnight as well as overnight care.

He started vomiting again overnight at MedVet and his renal values have continued to increase daily. He produced urine when given Lasix as a diuretic. He was on 3 different anti-vomiting medications and they still couldn't control his vomiting. Today his urine output decreased again, his BUN was over 120, his creatinine was at 10, his phosphorus was very elevated and his blood
pressure, which had been staying around 150, skyrocketed to 220 ... He continued to vomit and the owners elected to Euthanize.

This is a very sad case - great dog, great owners who had no idea raisins could be a toxin.

Please alert everyone you know who has a dog of this very serious risk.

Poison control said as few as 7 raisins or grapes could be toxic.
Many people I know give their dogs grapes or raisins as treats including our ex-handler's. Any exposure should give rise to immediate concern.

Onions, chocolate, cocoa and macadamia nuts can be fatal, too.
Personal note from me-
Happened to my Dog,we almost lost her:
Onions can cause a dog to suddenly develop autoimmune hemolytic bleeding problems(bleed to death within hours) (especially when given cubes of powdered onions/garlic seasoning -the type humans use in food or if added to a dogs food over time in an attempt to get them to eat a new dog food.)

Confirmation from Snopes about the above ...
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/raisins.asp
Also you can do a google search about “poisonous foods Dogs” for confirmation.

[RainStorm]

This can kill your pet!

Cocoa Mulch in the news - AGAIN!!!

It seems that Target is selling it also.

Over the weekend the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. They loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog Calypso decided that the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way. The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk. Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.
Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's website, this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats.
Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that 'It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it.'
This Snopes site gives the following information: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp
Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called 'Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cocoa bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.

[Claudia]

Alaska Canine Cookies recalls products


by The Associated Press
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- An Alaska dog treat product is being recalled because of a possible risk of salmonella.
Alaska Canine Cookies is recalling peanut butter, "power bone" and carrot cake flavors of Canine Cookies.
They were manufactured with peanuts recalled by Peanut Corporation of America.
The peanuts have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.
The company says salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products.
Alaska Canine Cookies were distributed in the company's four stores in Anchorage, Homer and Wasilla.
No known illnesses have been reported in connection with this product.
Consumers can return the product for a refund.