FOOD WARNINGS

CHOCOLATE

An article written by Emily Andrews which appeared in the Daily Mail on 10 December 2007 is about the dangers of dogs eating chocolate.  Vets have warned that a record number of dogs could be killed this year by eating chocolate. It seems many pet owners still do not realise that chocolate is highly toxic to dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine, a naturally occurring stimulant found in the cocoa bean, which affects the central nervous system as well as the heart muscle.  Last year vets made 790 emergency calls about chocolate poisoning to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service and already this year the number is 844. 

With Christmas approaching  there is the potential for a higher risk of poisonings because dogs steal chocolate ornaments form the tree, wolf down boxes of the treats or are fed by unsuspecting owners. The dog's digestive system cannot cope with theobromine unlike that of humans and cats which have the metabolism to cope with it.  Symptoms include hyperactivity, agitation, breathlessness vomiting, diarrhoea and increased urination. The danger to the dog depends on its size and the type of chocolate. The darker and more expensive chocolate contains higher levels of theobromine -  the lethal dosage is between 250 and 500 milligramms per kilogramme of body weight.  Serious non-fatal poisonings have, however, been reported in dogs after eating smaller amounts. 

It is easy to miss the hazardous aspects of the festive season. Dangers include the chocolate decorations on the tree and edible presents wrapped under the tree. Please avoid overfeeding your pet at Christmas, especially Christmas day leftovers. It can have a detrimental effect to their digestive system and not something you need at this time of year.  Remember Christmas can be a difficult time for your dog so keep your dog to its normal routine as much as possible and feed normally with perhaps just one of two doggy treats that you know will be ok. 

 If you know your dog has eaten chocolates don’t wait for the symptoms to develop take them to the vet immediately.  To avoid this make sure you keep the chocolate away from your pets.

GRAPES AND RAISINS

It's a rare pet owner who doesn't slip his dog the occasional treat. Our pets add so much to the quality of our lives that we look for ways to return the kindness, or to at least impart some measure of thanks for all they do. All dogs take delight in eating, so a gift of a tasty yet out-of-the-ordinary treat becomes a workable way of communicating "I love you," "Well done!" or just "Thanks." Unfortunately, good intentions can have deadly consequences when owners make the mistake of assuming all their favourite snacks are also suitable for their dogs.

This tale about raisin toxicity began circulating in April 2004. According to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, around 1989 a disturbing trend began to emerge from the AnTox database used by its Animal Poison Control Center: Nearly all the dogs reported to have eaten grapes or raisins developed acute renal (kidney) failure. These cases were noted all across the USA, with the amount eaten varying widely, from over a pound of grapes to as little as a single serving of raisins.  The database showed that dogs who ate the grapes and raisins typically vomited within a few hours of ingestion. Most of the time, partially digested grapes and raisins could be seen in the vomit, fecal material, or both. At this point, some dogs would stop eating (anorexia), and develop diarrhoea. The dogs often became quiet and lethargic, and showed signs of abdominal pain. These clinical signs lasted for several days, sometimes even weeks.  When medical care was sought, blood chemistry panels showed consistent patterns. Hypercalcemia (elevated blood calcium levels) was frequently present, as well as elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and phosphorous (substances that reflect kidney function). These chemistries began to increase anywhere from 24 hours to several days after the dogs ate the fruit. As the kidney damage developed, the dogs would produce little urine. When they could no longer produce urine, death occurred. In some cases, dogs who received timely veterinary care still had to be euthanized.

Although it is not known what component of the grapes or raisins causes renal failure in dogs, certain possibilities have been ruled out, including various pesticides, some heavy metals such as zinc and lead, and fungal contaminants. That dogs react in this fashion to both commercially-produced grapes and those grown informally in their owners' back yards indicates the likely culprit has nothing to do with the growing or cultivation process but is instead basic to grapes themselves.

 In other words, all grapes are potentially dangerous to dogs. both grapes in the plump, "just picked" form and as their dried counterparts, raisins, and regardless of whether they came from the store or off the vine. Don't feed your dog grapes or raisins, and don't leave these foodstuffs out where he could help himself to them.  This is not to say you need live in fear of your pooch's keeling over dead if he swallows a grape or two. However, if he downs a handful of grapes or even a smaller amount of raisins, get him to your vet right away. Aggressive treatment with intravenous fluids and close monitoring are his best chance for survival.     Barbara Mikkelson