Some Food Poisons You Should Never Give to Your Dog

GARBAGE AND FOOD POISONS

 Dogs who scavenge come into contact with garbage, decomposing food, and carrion, some of which contain endotoxins produced by bacteria and molds. Once ingested, these endotoxins are absorbed and poison the dog.

Signs appear within two to six hours. They include an acute painful abdomen accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea (often bloody). The dog may have noticeably bad breath. Shock and death can occur in severe cases.

Treatment:

 If you see your dog eating garbage or a dead animal, immediately induce vomiting . Follow with liquid Pepto-Bismol; give a dose every 12 hours for two days. Administer by plastic syringe. If you have trouble getting the liquid into your dog, use the tablets. Try to keep your dog well hydrated. 

Mild cases recover in one to two days. If the dog begins to vomit or develops other signs of poisoning, notify your veterinarian. 

Chocolate

Most dogs like chocolate, but it can be dangerous. Chocolate contains methylxanthines (made up of caffeine and the alkaloid theobromine). Methylxanthines are not toxic to people in the concentrations found in candy and baked goods, but when ingested by dogs the effects can be lethal. Although some dogs tolerate chocolate far better than others, note that a dog who weighs 5 to 10 pounds (2.3 to 4.5 kg) could die after eating as little as 4 ounces (113 g) of baking chocolate (not candy); a dog who weighs 20 to 40 pounds (9 to 18 kg) after eating as little as 16 ounces (450 g); and a larger dog after eating two pounds (about 1 kg). Dogs have been poisoned by eating an entire pan of brownies or a chocolate cake.

Signs of chocolate toxicity occur within hours after the dog ingests the chocolate. They include hyperexcitability, vomiting, frequent urination, diarrhea, rapid breathing, weakness, seizures, and coma. Death, which is rare, occurs by cardiac arrest.

Treatment:

 If you know your dog has eaten chocolate within the past six hours and he has not already vomited, induce vomiting . Record the type and amount of chocolate ingested (sweet and semisweet chocolate in candy bars is not nearly as toxic as baking chocolate). Then call your veterinarian for further instructions.

RAISINS, GRAPES, AND OTHER FOOD POISONS 

Dogs who eat raisins and grapes are at risk for acute and possibly fatal kidney failure. Most dogs will vomit some of the raisins or grapes within hours of eating them, but the damage may already be done. Dogs suffering from grape poisoning stop eating, develop diarrhea, and become quiet with signs of abdominal pain. Eventually the blood calcium levels go up and kidney failure follows.

If your dog has eaten raisins or grapes, induce vomiting as soon as you can and take your dog to your veterinarian. He may need to stay for fluid therapy to flush out the toxins.

Macadamia nuts are another food that can be toxic to dogs. Dogs who have eaten these nuts will show mild to severe weakness in the rear legs. So far, dogs seem to recover with time, but treating with activated charcoal hastens recovery.

Onions have sulfur compounds that can lead to a special type of hemolytic anemia. This does not usually cause acute toxicity signs, but will be picked up on blood work. If your dog has ingested onions, induce vomiting and follow that with activated charcoal. 

The active yeast in raw bread dough will produce ethanol as the bread rises. This can lead to ethanol poisoning in dogs who ingest it. Unsteady gait and unusual behavior may be the first signs noted. The dog should be taken to your veterinarian, where fluid therapy, along with activated charcoal and possibly the antidote yohimbine, may be administered.

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used by many diabetic people and people who are dieting. Xylitol can cause a dramatic and rapid drop in blood sugar in dogs, and possibly fatal liver damage. If your dog consumes xylitol, even just in sugar-free gum, induce vomiting and contact your veterinarian.