Seasonal Diarrhea in Great Danes - and other dogs

Seasonal Diarrhea 

 
So your dog has diarrhea again? Remember last year when you went through the same thing about this time of year?

Many people, especially in parts of the country which have definite seasons, notice that their pets have diarrhea in the spring and, to a lesser degree, in the autumn.

After being plagued with this seasonal problem and doing some research, I’ve come to the conclusion that the most probable cause is a bacteria called Clostridium difficile.
Clostridium difficile is a gram positive motile bacteria that is especially fond of soil. Found virtually worldwide, the bacteria likes warmth and wet conditions. When stressed by unfavorable conditions, the bacteria forms spores which will tolerate extreme conditions which the living bacteria will not.

What makes spring and autumn the primary time for this type of diarrhea is that, after winter, the spring warm-up of the soil allows the spores of the dormant bacteria to form into fully active bacteria. Our dogs, who were inside most of the time due to winter conditions, are now outside, in/on that soil and are constantly being exposed to the newly “born” bacteria. After being cooped up, the dogs are playing, getting tired, and generally both stressing and building their immune systems. Bacteria and dogs meet! Result: Diarrhea!

This spore forming bacteria is a normal resident of the intestine that, under the right (or wrong for our purposes) conditions, starts to flourish and results in a watery diarrhea or soft, unformed stool. (We call them “cow patties”) When out of control, this bacteria produces a toxin that is the real cause of the diarrhea.

Under normal circumstances, the body’s immune system keeps this bacteria under control and at a level which doesn’t result in “accidents” in the house and difficult to pick up yards.

Mild cases of Clostridium difficile result in the unformed, watery stool that we see almost every spring and just can’t seem to stop with a single dose of antibiotics. A more severe case of this bacterial overgrowth causes diarrhea that contains blood and mucous, abdominal cramps and can also cause an abnormal heart rhythm.

All too frequently, this is when the discussion starts about problems with what we are feeding or problems with the dog feed. Often, people change the brand of feed that they are using thinking that the changing feeds will solve the problem. Unfortunately, this change of feeds won’t solve the diarrhea problem and may even make the problem worse. Changing feeds can disrupt the normal intestinal flora and allow the Clostridium an opportunity to flourish.

The overuse of antibiotics may well be one secondary cause of the proliferation of Clostridium D. in that the use of antibiotics may alter the normal intestinal flora and increase the risk of developing Clostridium diarrhea. Actually, limiting the use of antibiotics can lower the risk of developing Clostridium D. diarrhea.

Clostridium D., as the cause of diarrhea, is confirmed by the presence of a toxin in a stool sample. A positive culture for Clostridium D. without a toxin assay is not enough to make the diagnosis of Clostridium D. associated disease as the sole cause for the diarrhea since the bacteria is a normal resident of the intestinal tract.

Lomotil (registered trademark) or Immodium (registered trademark) should NOT be used as they may increase the severity and may be one cause of insuseption. 

Individuals with Clostridium D. associated diarrhea shed spores in the stool that can be spread from dog to dog (or other species). Spores can live up to 70 days in an neutral environment and can be transported on surfaces to other individuals.

Ok, how to control this yearly menace. Maintain the normal bacteria of the gut through the use of a good probiotic (4 in 1 Probiotics or BacPakPlus) . Raising the pHlevel of the intestinal tract seems to help through the use of (Ox-E-Drops)

Realize that with summer heat and drier conditions, the bacteria won’t be as viable and not as much of a risk to your dog. By summer, the dogs have been out enough to have built immune systems and have raised their stamina so that they are not so tired and susceptible to the bacteria. With winter conditions, the bacteria are also not viable and are in their spore state just waiting for spring. Not only are winter conditions not as conducive to acquiring the bacteria outside, most dogs stay inside the majority of the time which doesn’t allow them as much exposure to the bacteria.

Metranidazole and Vancomycin are the drugs of choice - (using both) but, with extended use, also can make the problem worse unless you are double dosing your probiotics.

*with permission  - by P.J Gray 
                              - by J Laycock

Parvo - What is it...and what do you do for it?

Goliath at 5 months on his way home after an 8 night stay at the vets with parvo

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV2, colloquially parvo) is a contagious virus mainly affecting dogs. The disease is highly contagious and is spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their feces. It can be especially severe in puppies that are not protected by maternal antibodies or vaccination. It has two distinct presentations, a cardiac and intestinal form. The common signs of the intestinal form are severe vomiting and dysentery. The cardiac form causes cardiovascular failure in young puppies. Treatment often involves veterinary hospitalization. Vaccines can prevent this infection, but mortality can reach 91% in untreated cases. Canine parvovirus will not infect humans.

How is it treated??

Survival rate depends on how quickly CPV is diagnosed, the age of the dog and how aggressive the treatment is. Treatment usually involves extensive hospitalization, due to the severe dehydration and damage to the intestines and bone marrow. A CPV test should be given as early as possible if CPV is suspected in order to begin early treatment and increase survival rate if the disease is found.

Treatment ideally also consists of crystalloid IV fluids and/or colloids, antinausea injections (antiemetics) such as metoclopramide, dolasetron, ondansetron and prochlorperazine, and antibiotic injections such as cefoxitin, metronidazole, timentin, or enrofloxacin.[25] IV fluids are administered and antinausea and antibiotic injections are given subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously. The fluids are typically a mix of a sterile, balanced electrolyte solution, with an appropriate amount of B-complex vitamins, dextrose and potassium chloride. Analgesic medications such as buprenorphine are also used to counteract the intestinal discomfort caused by frequent bouts of diarrhea.

In addition to fluids given to achieve adequate rehydration, each time the puppy vomits or has diarrhea in a significant quantity, an equal amount of fluid is administered intravenously. The fluid requirements of a patient are determined by the animal's body weight, weight changes over time, degree of dehydration at presentation and surface area.

A blood plasma transfusion from a donor dog that has already survived CPV is sometimes used to provide passive immunity to the sick dog. Some veterinarians keep these dogs on site, or have frozen serum available. There have been no controlled studies regarding this treatment.  Additionally, fresh frozen plasma and human albumin transfusions can help replace the extreme protein losses seen in severe cases and help assure adequate tissue healing.

Once the dog can keep fluids down, the IV fluids are gradually discontinued, and very bland food slowly introduced. Oral antibiotics are administered for a number of days depending on the white blood cell count and the patient's ability to fight off secondary infection. A puppy with minimal symptoms can recover in 2 or 3 days if the IV fluids are begun as soon as symptoms are noticed and the CPV test confirms the diagnosis. If more severe, depending on treatment, puppies can remain ill from 5 days up to 2 weeks. However, even with hospitalization, there is no guarantee that the dog will be cured and survive.

Tamiflu reduces disease severity and hospitalization time in canine parvovirus infection. The drug may limit the ability of the virus to invade the crypt cells of the small intestine and decrease gastrointestinal bacteria colonization and toxin production.[26] However, due to the viral DNA replication pattern of parvovirus and the mechanism of action of oseltamivir, this medication has not shown to improve survival times or shorten hospitalization stay. Lastly, recombinant feline interferon omega (rFeIFN-ω), produced in silkworm larvae using a baculovirus vector, has been demonstrated by multiple studies to be an effective treatment. However, this therapy is not currently approved in the United States

A recent 2012 study(not yet published) has shown good results with an intensive at-home treatment using Maropitant and Convenia, two drugs newly released by Pfizer. The treatment would cost $200 to $300, a fraction of the $1,500 to $3,000 that inpatient care cost. In the study, survival rate for the new treatment group was 85%, compard to the 90% survival for the conventional inpatient treatment

Prevention and decontamination

Prevention is the only way to ensure that a puppy or dog remain healthy because the disease is extremely virulent and contagious. The virus is extremely hardy and has been found to survive in feces and other organic material such as soil for over a year. It survives extremely cold and hot temperatures. The only household disinfectant that kills the virus is bleach.

Puppies are generally vaccinated in a series of doses, extending from the earliest time that the immunity derived from the mother wears off until after that passive immunity is definitely gone. Older puppies (16 weeks or older) are given 3 vaccinations 3 to 4 weeks apart. The duration of immunity of vaccines for CPV2 has been tested for all major vaccine manufacturers in the United States and has been found to be at least three years after the initial puppy series and a booster 1 year later.

A dog that successfully recovers from CPV2 generally remains contagious for up to three weeks, but it is possible they may remain contagious for up to six. Ongoing infection risk is primarily from fecal contamination of the environment due to the virus's ability to survive many months in the environment. Neighbours and family members with dogs should be notified of infected animals so that they can ensure that their dogs are vaccinated or tested for immunity. The vaccine will take up to 2 weeks to reach effective levels of immunity; the contagious individual should remain in quarantine until other animals are protected.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs - Keeping Your Dog Healthy

Has your dog been scratching itself obsessively, losing hair, trying to clean itself, developing an odor, or become picky over food? An application of apple cider vinegar (ACV) can help your poor pooch. A bit of apple cider vinegar in your pet's food is a great way to maintain the acid/alkaline balance of your dog's body; and it also helps with digestive health, allergies (watery eyes, runny nose, wet coughs), and even parasites such as fleas, ringworm, ticks, fungus, and bacteria.

Taken orally or sprayed on topically, apple cider vinegar is great for skin conditions in dogs. For hot spots, thinning hair, pimples, or even ear infections, try out an ACV/water spray. ACV is also useful for after grooming sessions; applying a few drops to the ears can help prevent ear infections, and applying to your dog's skin after a washing on a weekly basis can help prevent reinfestation by fleas or ticks.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Fleas, Dog Allergies, and Wellness

Every home with dogs should have apple cider vinegar. It's a remedy with multiple uses for dogs: repelling fleas, alleviating allergies, arthritis, establishing correct pH balance. You can also give apple cider vinegar to cats and horses.

Dosage and Instructions: Start with a one-teaspoon dose mixed into your dog's food twice a day for a 50 lb dog (adjust accordingly by weight) and if necessary increase up to about 1 tablespoon twice a day for the same size dog. For skin application, you can spray on or rub apple cider in directly, or for sore or open wounds mix the ACV with equal parts water before application to the dog's skin. In the case of pests or parasites, bathe your dog and then apply a 50:50 mix of apple cider vinegar and water. Allow this to air dry on your pet to kill off fleas, ticks, ringworm, etc. and to prevent future infestations and/or infection. You can also spray your dog with apple cider vinegar before going out for a walk, in order to repel fleas and ticks naturally.

Also check out our related pages on:
Apple Cider Vinegar Treatment for Fleas
Apple Cider Vinegar for Dog Skin Problems

Gretchen from Coronado, Ca writes, "Hi, I'm a HHP (holistic health practitioner) and have just read the ACV book by BRAGG. I wanted to add some notes on apple cider vinegar for dogs.

"You can check your dog's ph balance status with pH strips available at any local pharmacy. Just slip the strip into the stream of your dog's urine first thing in the morning. A reading of 6.2 to 6.5 shows a healthy pooch pH. Readings around 7.5 or higher are a bit too alkaline, but acidic readings below 6.0 are too acidic and of more concern. Try to adjust your dog's diet accordingly, and using ACV will also re-establish the correct balance.

"Keeping a good pH is important, since pests like fleas, ticks, flies, bacteria, parasites, ringworm, fungi, staphylococcus, streptococcus, pneumococcus, and mange are less likely to bother dogs with an alkaline system inside and slightly acidic mantle outside. Since apple cider vinegar makes the skin more acidic but has an alkalizing effect inside the body, it's the perfect treatment for pets.

"It's also worth noting that fleas can be drowned in soapy water and the ACV rinse makes the skin too acidic for re-infestation."

EarthClinic Home Remedies offer other great ideas as well.  

If You Need Emergency Help ;)

Jodi Laycock

art by Jodi Laycock - Fur real Pet Portraits on FB

Know About Heart Worm in Your Dog

Heartworms are a nasty parasite spread by mosquitoes. These worms can cause terrible consequences for your dog. Knowing the warning signs of a heartworm infection in your pet can save its life. Early detection and treatment are essential. You should also take preventive measures when you can.  Heartworm disease is a serious disease that results in severe lung disease, heart failure, other organ damage, and death in pets, mainly dogs, cats, and ferrets. It is caused by a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria immitis.The worms are spread through the bite of a mosquito.  The dog is the definitive host, meaning that the worms mature into adults, mate, and produce offspring while living inside a dog.  The mosquito is the intermediate host, meaning that the worms live inside a mosquito for a short transition period in order to become infective (able to cause heartworm disease).  The worms are called “heartworms” because the adults live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels of an infected animal.   

In an infected dog, adult female heartworms release their offspring, called microfilariae, into the dog’s bloodstream.  When a mosquito bites the infected dog, the mosquito becomes infected with the microfilariae.  Over the next 10 to 14 days and under the right environmental conditions, the microfilariae become infective larvae while living inside the mosquito.  Microfilariae cannot become infective larvae without first passing through a mosquito.  When the infected mosquito bites another dog, the mosquito spreads the infective larvae to the dog through the bite wound.  In the newly infected dog, it takes between six and seven months for the infective larvae to mature into adult heartworms.  The adult heartworms mate and the females release their offspring into the dog’s bloodstream, completing the lifecycle.  See a graphic of the heartworm lifecycle in dogs.  Inside a dog, a heartworm’s lifespan is five to seven years.  Adult heartworms look like strands of cooked spaghetti, with males reaching about 4 to 6 inches in length and females reaching about 10 to 12 inches in length.  The number of worms living inside an infected dog is called the worm burden.  The average worm burden in dogs is 15 worms, but that number can range from 1 to 250 worms.

How Do the Symptoms of Heartworms Present?

The first sign you will notice is your dog tiring more easily. It may have a deep, persistent cough and can no longer tolerate normal activity such as going for a walk. As the infection begins to manifest further, your dog will lose weight and become faint after brief exercise. Its ribs may become more prominent and its chest may bulge.

The severity of heartworm disease is directly related to how many worms are living inside the dog (the worm burden), how long the dog has been infected, and how the dog’s body is responding to the presence of the heartworms.  The dog’s activity level also plays a role in the severity of the disease and in when symptoms are first seen.  Symptoms of heartworm disease may not be obvious in dogs that have low worm burdens, have been recently infected, or are not very active.  Dogs that have heavy worm burdens, have been infected for a long time, or are very active often show obvious symptoms of heartworm disease.
There are four classes, or stages, of heartworm disease.  The higher the class, the worse the disease and the more obvious the symptoms.

• Class 1:  No symptoms or mild symptoms such as an occasional cough.
• Class 2:  Mild to moderate symptoms such as an occasional cough and tiredness after moderate activity.
• Class 3:  General loss of body condition, a persistent cough, and tiredness after mild activity.  Trouble breathing and signs of heart failure are common. For class 2 and 3 heartworm disease, heart and lung changes are usually seen on chest x-rays.
• Class 4:  Also called caval syndrome.  There is such a heavy worm burden that blood flowing back to the heart is physically blocked by a large mass of worms.  Caval syndrome is life-threatening and quick surgical removal of the heartworms is the only treatment option.  The surgery is risky, and even with surgery, most dogs with caval syndrome die. 

Not all dogs with heartworm disease develop caval syndrome.  However, if left untreated, heartworm disease will progress and damage the dog’s heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, eventually causing death.  

How Are Heartworms Detected?

Most of the time, your veterinarian will perform a blood test to determine whether your dog has heartworms or not. During this test, the lab will look for the heartworm antigen. An antigen creates antibodies. Sometimes, false negatives occur if the stage of the disease is early and retesting becomes necessary. Your vet will need to administer chest X-rays and ECGs to determine the severity of the infection.
 

How Are Heartworms Treated?

There are different treatment options depending on the severity of infection. Heartworms can cause major complications including congestive heart failure, liver disease, and kidney issues. These problems can be fatal. If your dog has a non-complicated case of heartworms, the main goal of your vet is to kill the worms. In most cases, your vet will prescribe a medication to accomplish this. The vet will keep your dog in the clinic for a few days for observation. Sometimes, however, the meds used to eradicate heartworms become toxic to the dog and cause dead worms to be flushed into the lungs. 
The most common test that a veterinarian uses to check a dog for heartworms is called an antigen test.  This blood test detects specific proteins, called antigens, which are released by adult female heartworms into the dog’s bloodstream.  In most cases, antigen tests can accurately detect infections with one or more adult female heartworms that are at least seven or eight months old, but the tests generally do not detect infections that are less than five months old.   
There are also tests that detect microfilariae in a dog’s bloodstream.  Microfilariae in the bloodstream indicate that the dog is infected with adult heartworms (because only adult heartworms can mate and produce microfilariae).  Microfilariae can be detected in a dog’s bloodstream about six to seven months after it is bitten by an infected mosquito (because six to seven months is the time it takes the heartworms to develop from infective larvae into adults that mate and produce microfilariae).

There are two drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of heartworm disease in dogs.  Both drugs contain arsenic and are effective at killing adult heartworms.  Caparsolate Sodium (arsenamide sodium), the older of the two drugs, is injected into a vein.  It is not currently manufactured or marketed in the United States. The newer drug, Immiticide (melarsomine hydrochloride), is given by a deep injection into the back muscles to treat dogs with stabilized class 1, 2, and 3 heartworm disease.   
Currently, no drugs are approved to get rid of microfilariae in the bloodstream.  However, certain approved monthly heartworm preventives are sometimes used by veterinarians in an extra-label (“off-label”) manner to get rid of the microfilariae. 
The treatment for heartworm disease is not easy on the dog or on the owner’s pocket book.  Treatment can be potentially toxic to the dog’s body and can cause serious complications, such as life-threatening blood clots to the dog’s lungs.  Treatment is expensive because it requires multiple visits to the veterinarian, bloodwork, x-rays, hospitalization, and a series of injections with Immiticide.  

What Are Some Preventive Measures for Heartworms?

An effective way to prevent a heartworm infection is to prevent mosquitos from biting your dog. There is no way to prevent this completely, but you can limit your dog's exposure. Keep your dog indoors in the early evening and at night when mosquitoes are hungry. Since mosquitos love moisture, keep your dog away from swampy areas and ditches. Provide your dog with preventive medication such as Frontline. You can ask your vet about the pros and cons of this medication and how to start your dog on a program.

Heartworm treatment is dangerous and very hard on your dog. The best thing you can do is be proactive in preventing an infection from occurring in the first place. Protect your dog from heavily populated mosquito areas and provide preventative medications. Know the signs and symptoms of heartworm disease and get your dog to the vet as soon as possible if you suspect infection. Early detection and treatment can and will save your dog's life. 

 

 Some information from :

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20993
Ph. 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)

 

and

 

Jodi Laycock

Sk, Canada

 

 

Foods to Avoid Giving your Dog

Dangerous Foods for Dogs

Who can resist those big brown eyes and cute doggie grin? Can a little reward from the table really hurt your dog? Well, that depends on what it is and what's in it. A chip with guacamole can cause your dog some real problems. In fact, there's a lot of people food your dog should never eat. And, it's not just because of weight. Some foods are downright dangerous for dogs -- and some of these common foods may surprise you.

Avocado

No matter how good you think the guacamole is, you shouldn't give it to your dog. Avocados contain a substance called persin. It's harmless for humans who aren't allergic. But large amounts might be toxic to dogs. If you happen to be growing avocados at home, keep your dog away from the plants. Persin is in the leaves, seed, and bark, as well as in the fruit.

Alcohol

Beer, liquor, wine, foods containing alcohol -- none of it's good for your dog. That's because alcohol has the same effect on a dog's liver and brain that it has on humans. But it takes far less to do its damage. Just a little can cause vomiting, diarrhea, central nervous system depression, problems with coordination, difficulty breathing, coma, even death. And the smaller the dog, the greater the effect.

onions and Garlic

Onions and garlic in all forms -- powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated -- can destroy a dog's red blood cells, leading to anemia. That can happen even with the onion powder found in some baby food. An occasional small dose is probably OK. But just eating a large quantity once or eating smaller amounts regularly can cause poisoning. Symptoms of anemia include weakness, vomiting, little interest in food, dullness, and breathlessness.

Coffee, Tea, and Other Caffeine

Caffeine in large enough quantities can be fatal for a dog. And, there is no antidote. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, fits, and bleeding. In addition to tea and coffee - including beans and grounds -- caffeine can be found in cocoa, chocolate, colas, and stimulant drinks such as Red Bull. It's also in some cold medicines and pain killers.

Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins have often been used as treats for dogs. But it's not a good idea. Although it isn't clear why, grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. And just a small amount can make a dog ill. Repeated vomiting is an early sign. Within a day, the dog will become lethargic and depressed. The best prevention is to keep grapes and raisins off counters and other places your dog can reach.

Milk and Other Dairy Products

On a hot day, it may be tempting to share your ice cream cone with your dog. But if your dog could, it would thank you for not doing so. Milk and milk-based products can cause diarrhea and other digestive upset as well as set up food allergies (which often manifest as itchiness).

Macadamia Nuts

Dogs should not eat macadamia nuts or foods containing macadamia nuts because they can be fatal. As few as six raw or roasted macadamia nuts can make a dog ill. Symptoms of poisoning include muscle tremors, weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters, vomiting, elevated body temperature, and rapid heart rate. Eating chocolate with the nuts will make symptoms worse, possibly leading to death.

Candy and Gum

Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol. Xylitol can cause an increase in the insulin circulating through your dog's body. That can cause your dog's blood sugar to drop and can also cause liver failure. Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination. Eventually, the dog may have seizures. Liver failure can occur within just a few days.

Chocolate

Most people know that chocolate is bad for dogs. The toxic agent in chocolate is theobromine. It's in all kinds of chocolate, even white chocolate. The most dangerous kinds, though, are dark chocolate, chocolate mulch, and unsweetened baking chocolate. Eating chocolate, even just licking the icing bowl, can cause a dog to vomit, have diarrhea, and be excessively thirsty. It can also cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death.

Fat Trimmings and Bones

Table scraps often contain meat fat that a human didn't eat and bones. Both are dangerous for dogs. Fat trimmed from meat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause pancreatitis in dogs. And, although it seems natural to give a dog a bone, a dog can choke on it. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or lacerations of your dog's digestive system. It's best to just forget about the doggie bag.

Persimmons, Peaches, and Plums

The problem with these fruits is the seeds or pits. The seeds from persimmons can cause inflammation of the small intestine in dogs. They can also cause intestinal obstruction. Obstruction is also a possibility if a dog eats the pit from a peach or plum. Plus, peach and plum pits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to both humans and dogs. The difference is humans know not to eat them. Dogs don't.

Raw Eggs

There are two problems with giving your dog raw eggs. The first is the possibility of food poisoning from bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli. The second is that an enzyme in raw eggs interferes with the absorption of a particular B vitamin. This can cause skin problems as well as problems with your dog's coat if raw eggs are fed for a long time.

Raw Meat and Fish

Raw meat and raw fish, like raw eggs, can contain bacteria that causes food poisoning. In addition, certain kinds of fish such as salmon, trout, shad, or sturgeon can contain a parasite that causes "fish disease" or "salmon poisoning disease." If not treated, the disease can be fatal within two weeks. The first signs of illness are vomiting, fever, and big lymph nodes. Thoroughly cooking the fish will kill the parasite and protect your dog.

Salt

It's not a good idea to share salty foods like chips or pretzels with your dog. Eating too much salt can cause excessive thirst and urination and lead to sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms of too much salt include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, and seizures. It may even cause death.

Sugary Foods and Drinks

Too much sugar can do the same thing to dogs that it does to humans. It can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly the onset of diabetes.

Yeast Dough

Before it's baked, bread dough needs to rise. And, that's exactly what it would do in your dog's stomach if your dog ate it. As it swells inside, the dough can stretch the dog's abdomen and cause severe pain. In addition, when the yeast ferments the dough to make it rise, it produces alcohol that can lead to alcohol poisoning.

Your Medicine

Reaction to a drug commonly prescribed for humans is the most common cause of poisoning in dogs. Just as you would do for your children, keep all medicines out of your dog's reach. And, never give your dog any over-the-counter medicine unless told to do so by your vet. Ingredients such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common in pain relievers and cold medicine. And, they can be deadly for your dog.

Kitchen Pantry: No Dogs Allowed

Many other items commonly found on kitchen shelves can harm your dog. For instance, baking powder and baking soda are both highly toxic. So are nutmeg and other spices. Keeping food items high enough to be out of your dog's reach and keeping pantry doors closed will help protect your dog from serious food-related illness.

If Your Dog Eats What It Shouldn't

Dogs explore with their mouth. And, no matter how cautious you are, it's possible your dog can find and swallow what it shouldn't. It's a smart idea to always keep the number of your local vet, the closest emergency clinic, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center -- (888) 426-4435 -- where you know you can find it in an emergency. And, if you think your dog has consumed something that's toxic, call for emergency help at once.

Safe: Some Fresh Fruits

Slices of apples, oranges, bananas, and watermelon make tasty treats for your dog. Be sure to remove any seeds first, though. Seeds, stems, and leaves can cause serious problems.

Safe: Some Vegetables

Your dog can have a healthy snack of carrot sticks, green beans, cucumber slices, or zucchini slices. Even a plain baked potato is OK. Be sure, though, not to let your dog eat any raw potatoes or any potato plants it might have access to in your garden.

Safe: Cooked White Rice and Pasta

Dogs may enjoy plain white rice or pasta after it's cooked. And, a serving of plain white rice with some boiled chicken can sometimes provide welcome relief from gastrointestinal upset.



**Some information cited from  http://www.webmd.com