Toxicity is Common in Our Pets: What to avoid

Dr. Ron Biese

There are many curious dogs and cats in this world that love to explore with their mouth.  That means they will often eat different plants, every day foods and even awful tasting chemicals.  It is bewildering why an animal would eat some of these toxic chemicals or large objects that will cause an intestinal obstruction, but it is quite common.   Cats are less common to eat something that they shouldn’t, but there are cats that eat anything like a dog.

The most common toxins to be aware of include the following list which is not comprehensive:

·       Common foods that very edible but toxic to animals-chocolate, onions/garlic, macadamia nuts, any gum or sweet treat with xylitol in it, grapes,  raisins, and raw yeast dough.

·       Toxic household plants that are common are Lilies, mushrooms, Philodendron, Rhododendron, Dumb cane, English Ivy, Mistletoe, and ornamental bulbs.  This is by no means a complete list of toxic plants.  Many other outdoor plants can cause severe illness in our pets.

·       Common chemicals that can be ingested (mostly by dogs) are rat/mouse poisoning, ant bait, moth balls, batteries (esp. lithium ion),  glow sticks, rose fertilizer containing disulfoton, liquid potpourri, coins, paints, silica gel packets, laundry pods, and Gorilla glue.

·       Common drugs that can be ingested include Tylenol (esp. toxic to cats), any anti-inflammatory drug, decongestant (often in an antihistamine), antidepressants (Prozac, Paxil, Adderall, Ritalin, Zoloft and Effexor), sleep aids (Ambien and Lunesta), and cleaning supplies (bleach, toilet bowl cleaner and oven cleaner).  Again, this is not an exhaustive list.  These are just the common drugs that people have in their home and their pets can get into them.

·       Of course, pets can eat anything that can get stuck in the intestinal tract which can be life threatening.  We have seen dogs eat rocks, underwear, socks, tampons, Popsicle sticks, bedding, toys, and many other items that lie around the home.

These above toxins can create severe illness and even death in our furry friends.  It should never be taken lightly when your pet ingests something that could be a toxin.  It is best to call your veterinarian immediately if your pet has eaten any of the above toxins or anything that you are concerned could be a toxin.  Every toxin is treated differently depending on what the specific toxin is that was ingested.  The treatment may include an antidote that will combat the toxin and help cure the issue.  An example of that would be using vitamin K in an animal that ate rat poisoning.  It may also include supportive care which includes fluid therapy, antacids, anti-nausea medication, anti-diarrhea medication, etc.  It is also advised to keep the house as picked up as possible to avoid ingestion of items they see as “food”.  

For more information please visit the Pet Poison Helpline website.  If you need after hours care please visit Fox Valley Animal Referral Center or call 920-993-9193.

 

Dr. David Gagnon

Here we are again.  It’s the middle of winter, which means Dr. G heads north.  I’ve been volunteering at sled dog races since vet school.  And despite the long days with little-to-no sleep, and the sometimes frigid days (and nights), I caught the bug.

I’ve participated in the UP200, in (you guessed it) the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  This 240 mile race starts in Marquette, travels east to Grand Marais, MI, and back.

I’m also involved in the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in northern Minnesota, which starts in Duluth, goes north until nearly reaching the Canadian border, and returns to Duluth again.  This race is around 400 miles in length, and is the longest sled dog race in the lower 48 states.

This year’s Beargrease was mild, with temps hovering in the mid-upper 20s.  This is about a 40 or 50 degree difference from last year, when we were amid an infamous polar vortex, with actual temps dipping into the 20s below zero, never mind the wind chills.

 

You may ask “why would you subject yourself to those cold temps and sleepless nights?”  The answer is simple… it’s addicting.  The people I see at these races are a joy to be around; they’re folks I see once or twice a year, so it’s quite a fun reunion.  But the biggest attractions for me are the dogs.  Sled dogs are arguably the best endurance athletes in the world.

Some people think “Isn’t that hard on them?” or “Isn’t that abuse?”  If you’ve ever seen sled dogs race, you’d absolutely know that’s not the case.  These dogs LOVE running.  They’re bred for their desire to pull sleds, run long distances, and recover for another run within a matter of hours.  Sure, I see a few injuries along the trails, but this is no different than people who get injured running a marathon.  Some dogs get achy joints, some dogs get over-zealous, pull too hard and strain a muscle.  Different trail conditions can lead to specific injuries too.

As a “trail vet,” my job is to monitor for injuries, dehydration, or signs of illness along the race.  The mushers (yes, they really are called mushers) are very understanding when we decide a dog is unfit to continue, because they know their dogs are the most important players in the race.

 

Mushers and veterinarians alike may travel across the continent to participate in many other races this time of year.  Everyone knows about the Iditarod, which starts near Anchorage, AK in early March, travels nearly 1000 miles to Nome, AK (side note: This year’s start is in Fairbanks, AK).  The fastest teams have finished in less than 9 days!  Another race I’d love to try is the Yukon Quest, taking place in early February traveling from Whitehorse, Yukon to Fairbanks, AK, also 1000 miles.  Someday I’ll make my way out there.  I just need more vacation days.

 

DENTAL HEALTH AND YOUR PET 

  Does Your Pet Have:

• Halitosis (bad breath)? 

• Difficulty eating?                                                                          

• Bright red, swollen, or bleeding gums? 

• Loose teeth?

• Excessive drooling issues?

 If you answered “Yes” to any of the above questions, your pet may need a dental cleaning.

Dental disease is a common health problem in dogs and cats and may present with any of those signs. Food particles left on your pet’s teeth and gums could, over time, form a layer of thick plaque- a perfect substance for bacteria to adhere. Buildup of bacterial plaque on the teeth and along the gum line can lead to inflamed gums (gingivitis) and infection. Gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, an inflammation of the deeper tissues that surround the teeth. In severe cases, this may be associated with the spread of infection to other parts of the body, including the kidneys and heart.

 The best way to prevent this is with everyday oral health and yearly veterinary exams to assess your pet’s mouth and health.

 February is National Pet Dental Health Month 

 We Offer a 10% Discount on Dental Cleanings during February 

 What can you expect during a dental cleaning at Kaukauna Veterinary Clinic?

 • An oral exam is done to determine your pet’s stage of periodontal disease or oral health.
 • Pre-anesthetic blood testing is done in order to evaluate your pet’s risk for anesthesia.
 • Anesthetics are chosen based on your pet’s specific needs and only the safest medications are utilized.
 • The teeth and gums are thoroughly evaluated. We probe around all teeth to measure pockets in the gums, look for loose teeth, and look for cavities.
 • Digital x-rays are taken on an as needed basis, if we find areas of concern.
 • Large accumulations of tartar are removed.
 • An ultrasonic scaler is used to remove the visible tarter from the teeth and to scale under the gum line.
 • Hand scaling is performed to remove any remaining tartar.
 • The teeth are then polished.
 • A final anti-bacterial rinse is performed at the end of the procedure.

 There are also great prevention techniques you can do at home to improve oral health including: 

Brushing teeth (which may be easier than you think)
Dental treats and chew toys
Specially formulated dental diets
Gels, sprays, or rinses

A Happy pet has a Healthy mouth, so talk to a receptionist today about scheduling a dental cleaning for your pet!