Dog Talk: Doggy Dangers [28-4-17]

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Dog Talk: Doggy Dangers

Most dog owners know to keep the pooch away from chocolate. But what other doggy dangers lurk in and outside of the house?

Some hazards are obvious: household cleaners, pesticides, rodent poisons, bug sprays, insect repellants, paint, paint thinners and art supplies, cosmetics, pool chemicals, drain clearers, fertilizers and detergents, as well as electrical sockets, cords and wires.

Others tend to fly under the radar.

Batteries, for example, might not raise a red flag. But batteries are bite-sized! Swallowing one whole may or may not be a major problem. But chewing a battery to the extent that its corrosive fluid leaks out could be a painful event that leads to serious health concerns for the dog. In this the era of technology, a household without batteries is unimaginable. So the best solution to this problem is prevention: the safe and secure storage of all batteries and any chewable objects they power.

The fridge is a glowing Pandora's box of items both delectable and dangerous for your dog. Chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, is high on the list of foods that are off-limits to your dog. Others are:

- Raisins and Grapes: Even in small numbers, raisins and grapes are toxic and can induce kidney failure in dogs.

- Garlic and Onions: Depending on the dose, the ingestion of onions and garlic can create a life-threatening form of hemolytic anemia in dogs.

- Mushrooms: Sure, some mushrooms are harmless. But many species of mushrooms are harmful to dogs and can cause toxic shock and death. Unless you are a professional mycologist, don't take any chances. Keep your dog away from all mushrooms. This includes "backyard" varieties, which should be plucked.

- Macadamia Nuts: If your dog consumes macadamia nuts, he might luck out with some minor gastrointestinal upset. But these nuts can also cause lethargy, muscle tremors and stiffness, and bladder stones.

- Avocado: At the center of an avocado sits a large pit that looks suspiciously similar to a ball. But even if your pooch avoids choking on the pit, avocados contain persin, which can be toxic to animals. Persin toxicity can damage the tissue of the heart and lungs and can cause pancreatitis.

- Caffeine and Alcohol: While some may find it amusing to see Fido tanked on booze or bouncing off the walls on a caffeine buzz, neither is good for his health.

- Xylitol: Ingestion of this sugar substitute (found in certain kinds of chewing gum, candy, chewable vitamins and baked goods) can lead to permanent brain damage, liver failure and even death in dogs.

In the garage and around street curbs, leaking anti-freeze is a serious hazard. Anti-freeze tastes sweet, so it's tempting. But lapping at anti-freeze can induce kidney failure and lead to death - often very quickly.

What about plants? According to the ASPCA, "Common houseplants were the subject of 7,858 calls to APCC (Animal Poison Control Center) in 2009." The plants the ASPCA suggests dog owners beware of are: azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoe and schefflera. Considering we're approaching the holiday season, add holly, poinsettia and mistletoe to that list.

As always, keep human medications safely stored in medicine cabinets. And find a safe, out-of-reach place for the storage of veterinary medication, as well.

If you know or even suspect your dog has ingested or otherwise been exposed to anything on this list - or anything you are not 100 percent sure is safe - contact your veterinarian or the 24-hour Animal Poison Control Center hotline (888-426-4435) immediately. Don't wait. When combating toxicity, early detection and proper treatment yield the best outcome.