What are your fondest memories of Thanksgiving?? The smell of the turkey, the pumpkin pie, the turkey sandwiches at midnight. Whatever your memories are, if you are a dog owner, I am sure they include your dog. Being thankful for our canine friends, should include knowing how to keep them healthy and safe over the holidays.
This article will cover:
1. Pancreatitis
2. Turkey Bone Problems
3. Chocolate Toxicity
4. Bloat
Pancreatitis
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.
Dogs and Turkey Bones
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.
Dogs and Chocolate
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.
Bloat
Bloat is a medical emergency!
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.
This intel first appeared on: http://www.squidoo.com/thanksgivingdog
