Thanksgiving, Safety and your Dog

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Ahhh, the aroma of a fresh, mouthwatering, roasting turkey in the oven, Mom's cornbread stuffing cooling on the counter, sweet, spicy pumpkin pie tempting your passions. But don't forget the happy, little furry-feet, following your every move!

Yep, its Thanksgiving! A time to be thankful for all we have, for those around us we love, including our canine friends. Many people share the family feast with their dog in an offering of thanks and love. While this is an innocent and seemingly gracious and loving gesture, the truth is, it's more loving not to share your holiday meals with your dog. While it may seem that a little bit of turkey skin here and a little bit of stuffing there wouldn't hurt, we know how quickly the pounds can add up over the holiday season. The same rules that apply to us apply to our pets. A diet high in fat and being overweight is very unhealthy for them.

A good substitute for gravy for your dog is a little turkey broth. If you cook the giblets in water for stock, save a little to help moisten meat before you turn it into gravy. Or buy it canned! (Giblets)

We all love our dogs, and we think feeding them from the table is a treat. Sometimes, it can be fatal. Below is a list of foods you should avoid feeding to your canine companion (and why).

Chocolate, coffee, tea, and caffeinated drinks - they contain caffeine which could be toxic and impact the heart and nervous systems.

Citrus oil extracts - cause vomiting.

Grapes and raisins - contain unknown toxins which can damage the kidneys.

Mushrooms - can result in shock and cause death.

Alcohol - can result in coma and death (plus, I haven't seen too many 12 step programs for dogs).

Onions and garlic - raw, cooked, or powder -in large amounts have the ability to damage red blood cells and cause anemia (which decreases the amount of oxygen that is carried to your muscles and organs).

Xylitol is a sugar-alcohol sweetener contained in chewing gum and candy and can cause seizures, lethargy and weakness, liver damage and death.

Ibuprofen may smell sweet and dogswill eat it if they're found lying on the floor. (don't be surprised if your dog tries to chew threw a bottle to eat the entire contents) - causes ulceration and perforates the lining of the stomach, and decreases the blood flow to the kidneys.

Uncooked Dough - an animal's body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach causing vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating.

Salt - poses a risk for the development of sodium ion toxicosis, which can result in vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death, in severe cases.

Foods high in FATS - can lead to gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea, and possibly pancreatitis.

Macadamia Nuts - have caused weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and last approximately 12 to 48 hours.

Avacodo - the leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.

Pancreatitis is just one of the problems that occur with a high fat and unhealthy diet.
The pancreas produces digestive enzymes that break down food so the body can digest it. These enzymes are carefully handled by the pancreas in order to prevent them from damaging the pancreas itself or surrounding tissue. If they break down for any reason, the result is leakage of enzymes, which damage the pancreas and any surrounding tissue they reach. This breakdown is called pancreatitis.

Symptoms include:

loss of appetite
severe and frequent vomiting
diarrhea
reluctance to walk
weakness
pain
restlessness
irritability

Many people know their dog is sick, but may be confused as to whether or not it's serious because of a lack of symptoms or symptoms being vague and mild.

Pancreatitis may occur only once in a dog's life or it can become chronic, a condition that returns over and over again. It can quickly become fatal or just be a mild attack of pain that is over in a few hours or a day or so. It can cause serious side effects including shock, blood clotting disorders, heart arrythmias, and liver or kidney damage. So if your pet exhibits ANY of these signs, even if mild at first, get him to your vet immediately! Be sure to keep a 24-hour vet hospital or office on hand, since the holidays can be hectic and trying to find an open vet at that time may prove to be too late.

Cooked turkey, duck, geese and other bird bones are dangerous to your pet. They are hollow and break and splinter easily. This results in sharp pieces that can choke the dog and block or tear the intestines.

A pet that has a bone or fragment of one lodged in his intestine may not even show symptoms for a few days. When they do occur they may include: loss of appetite, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, become moody and/or listless. Sometimes the bone will pass by itself; other times it may need to be surgically removed. Sometimes, if left undetected for too long, your dog could get leakage from the intesting into his peritoneal cavity causing a horrible septic infection that can be deadly.

Perhaps the best thing you can do is try to "cushion" the tiny bones inside your dog's tummy by overfeeding him a little more over the next couple of days. Cooked rice (that's completely cooled first) is ideal, because it is gentle on a dog's stomach and digestive tract. You could serve up a small helping of plain white rice alone, or mix some cooked rice in with your dog's normal dog food.

On Strike - Talking Turkey by GreyWolfCreation


Gobble This - Talking Turkey by GreyWolfCreation


Eat Beef - Talking Turkey by GreyWolfCreation


Go Vegan - Talking Turkey by GreyWolfCreation

Dogs and chocolate can be a fatal mix. Happily, however, it takes a fairly large amount of theobromine (found in chocolate) to cause a toxic reaction. A toxic dose is around 100 - 150mg/kg of theobromine. (1 lb = 2.2 kg)

Using a dose of 100 mg/kg as the toxic dose it comes out roughly as:
1 ounce per 1 pound of body weight for Milk chocolate
1 ounce per 3 pounds of body weight for Semisweet chocolate
1 ounce per 9 pounds of body weight for Baker's chocolate.

Here we can see that Baker's Chocolate is the most detrimental.

Clinical Signs

Hyper excitability
Hyper irritability
Increased heart rate
Restlessness
Increased urination
Muscle tremors
Vomiting
Diarrhea

Treatment

In dogs, the half life of this toxin is 17.5 hours. Induce vomiting in the first 1-2 hours if the quantity is unknown. Administering activated charcoal may inhibit absorption of the toxin.

An anticonvulsant might be indicated if neurological signs are present and needs to be controlled. Oxygen therapy, intravenous medications, and fluids might be needed to protect the heart.

Milk chocolate will often cause diarrhea 12-24 hours after ingestion. This should be treated symptomatically (fluids, etc..) to prevent dehydration.

Iggy Turkey Cap
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Designed by Den Of The Dog




West Highland White Terrier Turkey
by

GreyWolfCreation



Wirehaired Turkey Large Mug
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Designed by Den Of The Dog




Give Thanks for Gordon Setters Keychain
by

GreyWolfCreation



Thanks for Border Terrier Rectangle Magnet
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Designed by Den Of The Dog

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is also known as "bloat," "stomach torsion," or "twisted stomach. The stomach fills up with air and puts pressure on the other organs and diaphragm making it difficult for the dog to breathe, and compresses large veins in the abdomen, thus preventing blood from returning to the heart. Filled with air, the stomach can easily rotate on itself, thus pinching off the blood supply. Once this rotation (volvulus) occurs and the blood supply is cut off, the stomach begins to die and the entire blood supply is disrupted and the animal's condition begins to deteriorate very rapidly.

Bloat is a gastric condition that can be deadly and is an EMERGENCY for you and your dog.

Bloat is most commonly caused by too much gas or fluid in the stomach. This gas can extend the stomach causing gastric dilation. If the stomach partially rotates it is called gastric torsion. If it fully rotates its called gastricv volvulus. Each of these conditions are serious and can be fatal.

While the causes of bloat are varied, gulping of food and water, or excitability and playfulness after eating are just a few causes.

Symptoms include: abdominal distention, salivating, retching, restlessness, depression, lethargy, anorexia, weakness, or a rapid heart rate. Any of these symptoms, even if mild at first, should IMMEDIATELY be attended to by your vet. The stages and manifestations of this condition can happen rapidly once started, so no time should be wasted in seeking advice and care, even if there is a little doubt.

Things to avoid are not allowing your pet to overeat, even his own food. Instead of 1 or 2 large meals a day, try 3 or 4 smaller ones. Do not feed your pet at high excitability times, or when he's nervous, such as when you have a house full of company. Calm your dog and feed him at quiet times of the day. Do not allow vigorous exercise before or after your pet has eaten.

Are more breed more susceptible to bloat than others?

Yes. Although all dogs are susceptible to bloat, the list below shows what breeds are most susceptible, in order from most to least. The Great Dane is 2x more likely than any of the other dogs on the list.

Great Dane
Saint Bernard
Weimaraner
Irish Setter
Gordon Setter
Standard Poodle
Basset Hound
Doberman Pinscher
Old English Sheepdog
German Shorthaired Pointer
Newfoundland
German Shepherd
Airedale Terrier
Alaskan Malamute
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Boxer
Collie
Labrador Retriever
English Springer Spaniel
Samoyed
Dachshund
Golden Retriever
Rottweiler
Mixed
Miniature Poodle

Other risks include:
- Dogs over 7 years of age are more than twice as likely to develop gastric dilatation and volvulus as those who are 2-4 years of age.

- Male dogs are twice as likely to develop gastric dilatation and volvulus as females.

- Dogs fed once a day are twice as likely to develop GDV as those fed twice a day. It appears that dogs that eat rapidly or exercise soon after a meal may also be at increased risk.

- Dogs that tend to be more nervous, anxious, or fearful appear to be at an increased risk of developing GDV.

Beef and Turkey Jerky

2lbs. ground beef or turkey

3/4 cups ground oats

1/2 cups soy sauce

3 tbs. garlic powder

1/4 cups honey

Mix all ingredients. Spread out thin on baking sheet between two sheets of wax paper. (keep thin)

Bake at 300 degrees for 25 minutes. Leave in oven for 1 hour at 200 degrees. Drain grease.

Cut into strips or small pieces, freeze. Warm up by placing in microwave or running under warm water.

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Poochie Pudding (named after Pooch the Terrier)
for Kong product
submitted by Beth K., Ginger, and Pooch

Ingredients:

Stoneyfield Farms whole milk yogurt, plain or vanilla
1 banana
1 peach or nectarine (peeled)
small grapes
strawberries or 1 apple (whichever the dog likes)
1 dog biscuit (bone-shaped)
Steps:

Mash the banana and the peach/nectarine (or put in blender).
Slice the apple or strawberries into smallish chunks.
Mix the banana, peach/nectarine, apple chunks or strawberries and
grapes into the yogurt, then pour the mixture into the Kong.
Push the biscuit into the end of the Kong.
Freeze for about 3-4 hours or until consistency of ice cream.
Bone appetit! 8==8