Save Your Pet From Poisoning

Save Your Pet From Poisoning

   Your dog or cat may simply be poisoned by things that you just have round the house. though you would possibly not consider chocolate, paracetamol or lilies as being toxic – they’ll indeed be deadly to the one you love pet. 
   According to the Vet Poisons info service, it’s quite common for a pet to be poisoned in their house. Some common substances that are toxic to pets include: 


   Vermin poison: you would possibly be making an attempt to urge rid of unwanted rodents or slugs, however these chemicals will cause excessive internal bruising or bleeding in your pet if ingested. the consequences may not be immediately obvious, however the results are terribly serious. 


   Paracetamol: this drug would possibly relieve you of a headache, however animals are terribly sensitive to paracetamol and even atiny low quantity may be extraordinarily harmful. Ibuprofen is additionally notably dangerous to dogs and may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, gastric ulceration and kidney failure. 


   Chocolate: we tend to all love somewhat of chocolate, however this sweet treat contains theobromine, a chemical terribly just like caffeine, that isn’t sensible for your pet to eat. Dark chocolate is extremely high in theobromine and even atiny low piece may cause tremors, convulsions and heart issues for your pet. 


   Lilies: these lovely flowers are terribly toxic to cats and may cause kidney failure. the entire plant is toxic, and even a quick exposure to the pollen may be doubtless terribly dangerous to a cat. 


   Grapes, raisins and sultanas: these dried fruits style nice on cereal. you would possibly not assume twice if one dropped on the ground and your dog had to a small degree nibble. However, grapes, raisins and sultanas will cause kidney failure in dogs. Not all dogs are sensitive to the present food, however it’s higher to not take a risk. 


   Sweeteners: artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, are utilized in sugar-free chewing gums and sweets and are extraordinarily harmful to dogs. though you will have a sweet tooth, if your dog ingests xylitol, it will cause low blood sugar and liver injury. 


   If you think that your pet has been poisoned, you must contact your native veterinary apply immediately. Time is of the essence! Take a sample of the substance ingested to relinquish to your vet, as this can facilitate them assess and treat your animal. If you’ve got pet insurance, you won’t have to be compelled to worry concerning vet’s bills either. Some insurers can cowl you for up to £7,000 in a very year if your pet becomes unwell or has an accident. You won’t even need to be out of pocket if your pet falls unwell, as some insurers can pay your vet directly, provided they’re started to receive payments. 
   Rather than a visit to the vets, however keep your pet out of harms method and make certain they only eat what they’re purported to.

About Grape and Raisin Poisoning in Dogs

Grape and Raisin Toxicity in Dogs

Grape and raisin (dried grapes) toxicity is well documented in dogs. Although the exact substance that causes the toxic reaction is not yet known, it has been shown that even small amounts of grapes or raisins can prove to be fatally toxic for a dog.

Dogs of any age, breed, or gender may be affected. One of the most serious complications of grape/raisin toxicity is acute (sudden) kidney failure with lack of urine production (anuria). However, kidney failure is not seen in all dogs after ingestion of grapes or raisins, and again, the reason why some dogs are affected excessively while others are not is still being studied. 

Symptoms and Types

• Vomiting and/or diarrhea – often within a few hours; after 24 hours of ingestion vomit and fecal contents may contain pieces of grapes or raisin


• Loss of appetite


• Lethargy, weakness, unusual quietness


• Abdominal pain


• Dehydration


• Oliguria (passing only a small amount of urine)


• Anuria (complete cessation of urine)


• Kidney (renal) failure and death

Causes

Grape and/or raisin ingestion – even small amounts can be toxic for some dogs.

Immediate Treatment

This is an emergency needing immediate treatment. If you are positive that your dog ingested grapes or raisins, you will need to induce vomiting as soon as possible, before the toxins in the fruit can be absorbed.

Try to induce vomiting with a simple hydrogen peroxide solution of one teaspoon per five pounds of body weight – with no more than three teaspoons given at once. If vomiting does not take place within ten minutes of the first administration, you may try again, using the same amount. This method should not be given any more than three times, spaced apart at ten minute intervals.

If your dog has not vomited after the third dose, do not use it, or anything further, to try to induce vomiting. Do not use anything stronger than hydrogen peroxide without your veterinarian’s assent, and do not induce vomiting unless you are absolutely sure of what your dog has ingested. If your dog has already vomited, do not try to force more vomiting.

Also, do not induce vomiting if your dog is unconscious, is having trouble breathing, or is exhibiting signs of serious distress or shock. Whether your dog vomits or not, after the initial care, you must rush it to a veterinary facility immediately.

Activated charcoal is also useful for preventing absorption of toxin. Call a veterinary doctor immediately upon learning of your dog’s ingestion of the grapes or raisins to find out how much activated charcoal to administer to your dog. Keep in mind that you will still need to take your dog in for medical care, as some dogs are more sensitive than others and may need more intensive care, such as a stomach wash/lavage and fluid therapy.

Diagnosis

Your will need to provide your veterinarian with as much information as possible so that treatment can begin. If your dog has vomited or had a bout of diarrhea, and you are able to collect a sample of it, this will help your veterinarian to diagnose the severity of the condition and begin treatment that much more quickly.

Routine laboratory tests, including a complete blood count, biochemistry profile, and urinalysis. These tests may return results of increased blood calcium, which in severe cases can lead to hypercalcemia, and higher than normal levels of phosphorous and creatinine, both indicators of the kidney’s functioning status. Some changes in the urine, like the presence of glucose and/or protein, may be seen.

Ultrasound can also be a useful diagnostic tool for determining the size of the kidney along with finding evidence of abnormal deposition of minerals in the kidneys.

Without explicit evidence of the ingestion (i.e., pieces of the food in the vomit or feces contents), diagnosis is often based on circumstantial evidence along with the usual symptoms that appear after ingestion of grapes and raisins. Often, a toxic substance does not appear on a blood test, as has been the case in previous grape/raisin toxicity cases. The medical research community is continuing work on the discovery of the offending substance.

Treatment

A stomach wash/lavage and fluid therapy are among the first lines of treatment after vomiting has been successfully induced. Intravenous fluid therapy will be given for at least the first 48 hours, and drugs for encouraging urine output will be administered. If urine is not being produced within a short time, your veterinarian may find it necessary to place your dog on dialysis to support the kidneys while they recover. During this time, your doctor will be monitoring your dog’s blood chemicals on a daily basis. 

Once the kidney has failed to the point that urine cannot be produced by the body, the entire system soon follows and the affected animal dies. In some cases, even timely treatment will not be enough if the toxin has already been absorbed. Time is of the essence with this situation, but in all cases, prognosis is guarded.

How to Prevent This Condition

Keep raisins and grapes out of reach of your dog, as dogs will ingest almost anything. Make sure that all family members are aware of the toxic capability of this food, as well as other foods that have been found to be toxic to pets, such as chocolate, onions, garlic, etc. If you do discover that your dog has ingested raisin or grapes, acting immediately is the best prevention for avoiding a complicated situation.

ALERT: Vets warn of new treats from China poisoning dogs - Poisoned Pets

Not so sweet potato

Despite repeated warnings issued by the FDA, veterinarians are reporting new cases of dogs developing symptoms of kidney failure (Fanconi’s syndrome) similar to dogs who have been poisoned by Chinese-made chicken jerky treats, but this time they are being poisoned with a whole new class of treats: sweet potato treats imported from China.

The brands veterinarians say are associated with the new cases of unexplained acute kidney failure are Canyon Creek Ranch Chicken Yam Good Dog Treats (Nestle-Purina), Beefeaters Sweet Potato Treats (16 types of yam-related treats), Drs. Foster and Smith (exact item not specified in the report) and Dogswell Veggie Life Vitality (4 types of Veggie Life brands).

It’s not just jerky

It is important to remember that although the type of treat most often mentioned in the press is described as a jerky treat, the treats may also be called by a myriad of other names such as stix, chips, poppers, tenders, drumettes, kabob’s, strips, fries, lollipops, twists, wraps, bars, tops and discs (I wish I was making this up).

The report goes on to say that there is speculation the problems may also extend to pork treats and cat treats imported from China.

Phucking Phorate

In 2010 the FDA issued an Import Refusal Report and later issued an Import Alert for sweet potato dog treats imported from a company in China (whose main business is, oddly, in rubber and plastic raw materials) were contaminated with a highly toxic pesticide known as Phorate.

Phorate is an extremely toxic organophosphorus compound and is among the most poisonous chemicals commonly used for pest control. It is used in agriculture as a pesticide and Phorate is identified by Pesticide Action Network (PAN) and Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR) as one of the “most toxic” set of pesticides known (aka a Bad Actor) in the world.

Although Phorate is known primarily as a neurotoxin and not classified as a nephrotoxin and therefore unlikely to cause acute renal failure in dogs, its presence in any food item is a disturbing indication that treats of any kind imported from China could pose a risk to the health and safety of pets and to the consumers handling them.

Veterinarians know better

Holistic veterinarian Dr. Jean Hofve report on the sweet potato treats from China follows:

Sweet Potato Treats from China Causing Kidney Failure?

April 5, 2012

By jhofve77  (Dr. Jean Hofve of Little Big Cat)

On the Veterinary Information Network, several veterinarians have reported cases where dogs have developed symptoms of kidney failure (Fanconi’s syndrome) similar to dogs who have been poisoned by Chinese-made chicken jerky treats.

So far, the brands implicated are all made in China:

• Beefeaters Sweet Potato Snacks for Dogs


• Canyon Creek Ranch Chicken Yam Good Dog Treats (FDA has issued a warning on this product)


• Drs. Foster and Smith (exact item not specified in the report)


• Dogswell Veggie Life Vitality

There was also speculation that the problem may also extend to pork products (pig ears) and cat treats made in China. Australian veterinarians have reported similar symptoms from chicken jerky treats, as well as several cases associated with “Veggie Dents,” a dog treat made in Vietnam by Virbac, an American company. Virbac recalled one batch of Veggie Dents in Australia in 2009.

The FDA still claims that there is no pending recall of Chinese-made pet treats, even though it has repeatedly issued warnings about the problems associated with chicken jerky treats since 2007.

Symptoms of Fanconi’s syndrome include:

• Increased drinking and urinating


• “Accidents” in the house


• Reduced appetite


• Weight loss


• Weakness


• Blood and urine tests show azotemia (high BUN and Creatinine), dilute urine, and glucose in the urine (that isn’t diabetes).

Most affected dogs have recovered over time with good supportive care.

We strongly recommend that you check the source of all cat or dog treats you may have purchased, and do not give them to your pet if they were made in China. It would be best to avoid any pet food or treat products made in China, and probably a good idea to avoid all dried animal parts, because they are not heated to a temperature that will kill pathogenic bacteria.

References
Phorate EXTOXNET (Cornell)

Related articles by Poisoned Pets
Dogswell slams Poisoned Pets over safety of Vitality treats (poisonedpets.com)
Canadian vets report of life-threatening dog illness linked to imported treats from US and China (poisonedpets.com)
Secret FDA document reveals test results of chicken jerky treats (poisonedpets.com)
Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Nestle-Purina and Walmart over Waggin’ Train Dog Treats (poisonedpets.com)
Bombshell: the FDA is not looking for toxins in chicken jerky treats (poisonedpets.com)
FDA veterinarian confirms boots on the ground in China and asks vets for help (poisonedpets.com)
FDA inspectors are investigating jerky treat production facilities in China (poisonedpets.com)
Secret FDA document reveals test results of chicken jerky treats (poisonedpets.com)
U.S. Senator Brown Presses the FDA Over Inadequate Response to Tainted Chicken Jerky Inquiry (poisonedpets.com)
More dogs die as poisonous jerky treats remain on store shelves (poisonedpets.com)
Congressional Leaders Demand FDA Action to Protect Dogs from Poisonous Jerky Treats (poisonedpets.com)
Chicken Jerky Pet Treat Alert (poisonedpets.com)
Update: Thaxton family nightmare after dogs poisoned by jerky treats continues (poisonedpets.com)
A grieving family wants chicken jerky dog treats to be taken off the market. (poisonedpets.com)

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Pet Owners Beware.....Antifreeze Poisoning

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As winter approaches, many people will “winterize” their automobiles, including a change of antifreeze. Take care to keep both new and used antifreeze in a sealed container, out of reach of pets. Clean up any spills of antifreeze on driveways and other hard surfaces. Dogs and cats find antifreeze quite tasty and if they find antifreeze they’ll drink it. Antifreeze is extremely toxic causing kidney failure that is often fatal in just a few days.
Very small amounts of antifreeze can be fatal. If a cat walks through a puddle of antifreeze and then licks its paws, it can ingest enough antifreeze to cause death. About five tablespoons can kill a medium sized dog. If you see your pet drinking antifreeze, or are at all suspicious that your pet may have had access to antifreeze, contact a veterinarian immediately. Signs of antifreeze poisoning depend upon the time after ingestion. In the first few hours after ingestion the pet may be depressed and staggering and may have seizures. They may drink lots of water, urinate large amounts and vomit. The pet may appear to feel better but in a day or two get much worse as the kidneys fail. Signs of kidney failure include depression and vomiting. The amount of urine they pass will often decrease to a very small amount.
The diagnosis of antifreeze poisoning is made by blood and urine tests although some of these tests become negative by the time kidney failure develops. Antifreeze poisoning should be considered in any free-roaming dog or cat with consistent signs. Treatment for antifreeze poisoning needs to be started as soon after ingestion as possible to be effective. The earlier treatment is started, the greater the chance of survival. Once kidney failure develops, most animals will die.
The treatment for antifreeze poisoning depends on when the pet is presented to the veterinarian. If the pet is seen within a few hours of ingesting antifreeze, vomiting is induced to remove any antifreeze still in the stomach and charcoal is placed in the stomach to bind antifreeze in the intestine. Antifreeze itself is not very toxic but it is broken down by the liver to other components that cause the damage. If the pet is presented to a veterinarian soon after drinking antifreeze, a drug is given that impairs the liver from converting antifreeze to these toxic products, allowing the unconverted antifreeze to pass in the urine. These drugs are useful only when given early and are not effective after the pet is already showing signs of kidney damage.
Animals who present to a veterinarian in kidney failure due to antifreeze poisoning can occasionally be saved with aggressive treatment. Some specialty veterinary practices offer dialysis which can be used to remove waste products that are not being removed by the diseased kidneys in an effort to keep the pet alive to give the kidneys a chance to repair. Whether the kidneys will repair themselves or not depends on how severely they are injured. Unfortunately the kidney damage caused by antifreeze is usually very severe and irreversible. Kidney transplantation has been performed in dogs and cats. There are several sites on the internet that describe transplantation.

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