Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine

These products all contain substances called methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds, the fruit of the plant used to make coffee and in the nuts of an extract used in some sodas. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Note that darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines, while baking chocolate contains the highest.

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.

Avocado

The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart. Some ingestions may even be fatal.

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts are commonly used in many cookies and candies. However, they can cause problems for your canine companion. These 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.

Grapes & Raisins

Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure. In pets who already have certain health problems, signs may be more dramatic.

Yeast Dough

Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s digestive system. This can be painful and can cause the stomach or intestines to rupture. Because the risk diminishes after the dough is cooked and the yeast has fully risen, pets can have small bits of bread as treats. However, these treats should not constitute more than 5 percent to 10 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake.

Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones

Raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that can be harmful to pets. In addition, raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems. Feeding your pet raw bones may seem like a natural and healthy option that might occur if your pet lived in the wild. However, this can be very dangerous for a domestic pet, who might choke on bones, or sustain a grave injury should the bone splinter and become lodged in or puncture your pet’s digestive tract.

Xylitol

Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to recumbancy and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days.

Onions, Garlic, Chives

These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed. Toxicity is normally diagnosed through history, clinical signs and microscopic confirmation of Heinz bodies. An occasional low dose, such as what might be found in pet foods or treats, likely will not cause a problem, but we recommend that you do NOT give your pets large quantities of these foods.

Milk

Because pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk), milk and other milk-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.

Salt

Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death. In other words, keep those salty chips to yourself!

Lyme disease affects animals differently, and many display no clinical signs at all. In dogs, the most common signs are:

• Lameness, fever, swollen joints, kidney failure, not himself/herself, anorexia.

Disease progression if left untreated:

• Damaged joints, fatal kidney disease.

Lyme disease prevention:

• Lyme vaccine works by helping to block the transmission (from tick to dog) of the spirochete that causes Lyme disease.
• Apply a topical tick control product monthly. Frontline Plus kills ticks that may transmit Lyme disease.
• Brush dogs frequently during tick season & conduct thorough tick checks.
• If you find a tick attached, remove it promptly with tweezers and without crushing the tick. Contact North Mankato Animal Hospital if you are concerned.

Anaplasmosis is transmitted by the deer tick or the black legged tick that carries bacteria and when they bite the dog they spread the infection.

Infected dogs may not show any clinical signs, but the most common signs are:

• Lack of energy, high fever, swollen/very painful joints, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea.

Disease progression if left untreated:

• Very low numbers of platelets and white blood cells, chronic joint pain, neurological signs.

Anaplasmosis Prevention: (There is currently no vaccine for Prevention)

• Apply a topical tick control product monthly. Frontline Plus kills ticks that may transmit Anaplasmosis.
• Brush dogs frequently during tick season & conduct thorough tick checks.
• If you find a tick attached, remove it promptly with tweezers and without crushing the tick. Contact North Mankato Animal Hospital if you are concerned.

Ehrlichiosis is transmitted by the brown dog tick that carries the bacteria and bites the dog, spreading the infection.

Most common signs of infection:

• Loss of appetite, depression, fever, painful joints, bloody nose, pale gums.

Disease Progression if left untreated:

• Permanent blindness, autoimmune diseases, bleeding complications, death.

Ehrlichiosis Prevention: (There is currently no vaccine available for Prevention)

• Apply a topical tick control product monthly. Frontline Plus kills ticks that may transmit Ehrlichiosis.
• Brush dogs frequently during tick season & conduct thorough tick checks.
• If you find a tick attached, remove it promptly with tweezers and without crushing the tick. Contact North Mankato Animal Hospital if you are concerned.

Diagnosis of tick diseases:

• Simple blood test- 4dx snap test, can detect 4 infections in one blood sample in less than 10 minutes.
• Other tests- Complete blood count, chemistry profile, urinalysis, other special tests depending on initial findings and clinical signs.

Treatment of tick diseases:

• Antibiotics

Prognosis of tick diseases:

• If caught and treated early, the outcome is usually very good for a full recovery from symptoms. Some of these infections cannot be cured completely, but early intervention usually provides the best prognosis.

NO PREVENTION IS 100% EFFECTIVE. TEST YOUR DOG ONCE A YEAR.