Karen's Canine Kitchen Logo

Toxic Foods - Part 5

Hi <<First Name>>,  This month we conclude our series on foods that can be harmful to your pet.  We trust you have found this information interesting and helpful.

Yeast Dough
Raw bread dough made with yeast only needs a warm, moist environment to rise or expand. If your dog eats dough, that dough can expand to many times its original size and cause gas accumulation in the digestive system. This will distend the abdomen which is painful. Another issue is the rising is caused by the yeast fermenting. Fermentation results in alcohol which is also toxic. Baking eliminates the danger and you can give your dog small pieces of bread as a treat.

Alcohol
You know that abuse of alcohol causes damage to the liver in humans but have you ever thought about what it can do to your pet?  Alcohol can be fatal for your dog because it contains ethanol. All poisoning boils down to the amount of alcohol consumed compared to body weight so any alcohol can cause significant problems. You will begin to notice symptoms within 15 to 30 minutes when the alcohol was consumed on an empty stomach or 1 to 2 hours on a full stomach. These symptoms include a slow respiratory rate, staggering, behavioral changes, increased urination, excitability, depression, seizures and even cardiac arrest. Puppies and kittens are at particular risk because they are so small and their organs have not matured.

What to do if you think your dog has been poisoned.
If you think your pet may have eaten a toxic food or other potentially deadly substance, you are urged to contact a veterinarian and/or an animal poison control hotline, such as the ASPCA Poison Control Center, which can be contacted by calling 888-426-4435 . The last time I checked there was a $65 consultation fee for this service.
Some specific things you can do to help your vet or the Poison Control Center are:
  • Don’t panic. Yes, it is important to respond quickly but you will be far more effective if you remain calm.
  • Take a few seconds to collect any of the material your dog may have eaten. If a trip to your vet is necessary, be sure to take the product container with you. You should also collect anything your pet may have chewed or vomited in a plastic bag.
Be ready with the following information:
  • The species, breed, age, sex, weight and number of animals involved.
  • The animal’s symptoms.
  • Information regarding the exposure, including the agent (if known), the amount of the agent involved and the time elapsed since the time of exposure.
  • Have the product container/packaging available for reference.
If your animal is having seizures, losing consciousness, is unconscious or is having difficulty breathing, Take your pet to your vet or local emergency clinic. You should call ahead to let them know to expect you. 

Next Series
With summer upon us, we will be examining heat stroke in June.  In July, we will begin a new three part series on allergies.

 
Artificial Respiration
If your dog has stopped breathing (but the heart is still beating) you can help them using artificial respiration.    If your dog is very cold they may breathe much more slowly than normal so make sure they are not breathing before beginning respiration.   Their gums will turn blue from a lack of oxygen.   Here are the steps to follow:
  1. Make sure the airway is clear.
  2. Turn a large dog on their side, you can cradle a small pet in your lap.
  3. Straighten their neck so that the throat offers a direct path to the lungs by lifting their chin.
  4. You will not be able to perform mouth to mouth on a dog.  You will not be able to seal their lips with your mouth so air will escape.  Instead, use your hand (or both) to hold their mouth closed and seal their lips. 
  5. Put your mouth over your pet's nose, with a small dog or cat you will cover both the nose and mouth.  Blow 2 quick breaths and watch to see if the lungs expand.
  6. Blow just hard enough to make his sides expand.  With large dogs you will have to blow fairly hard.  Be gentle with small dogs and cats or you could rupture their lungs.
  7. Let the air escape naturally between breaths.
  8. Give 15 to 20 breaths per minute until your pet begins to breathe on their own or you reach your vet.
It is not unusual for pets to survive after their owner breaths for them for a half hour or more.

New This Month
We are very pleased to announce our newest treat - Carob Crunchies - they are wheat free.

These cripsy treats are made with potato flour, unsweetened applesauce, honey, carob powder, canola oil, baking soda, guar gum and vanilla, then coated in our yogurt and carob coatings.  They are sold by the dozen. 

Special thanks to Gidget Efant, Chester Von Maxey and Maggie & Leia Egert for assisting in our taste tests.  Please visit our website for additional information.

Look for additional wheat free treats in the very near future. 
You are receiving this email because have subscribed to our newsletter at our website or in person.

Unsubscribe <<Email Address>> from this list.

Our mailing address is:
Karen's Canine Kitchen
110 S 5th Street
352-729-3302
Leesburg, FL 34748

Add us to your address book

Our web address is:
www.karensk9kitchen.com

Copyright (C) 2012 Karen's Canine Kitchen All rights reserved.

Forward this email to a friend
Update your profile
Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp