FOOD HAZARDS: Chocolate Toxicity

Everyone is told chocolate is bad for pets, 

but do you know why? 

Cacao beans contain theobromine and caffeine which are both highly toxic 

to your dogs AND cats. 

If one of your pets has ingested any amount of chocolate expect to see some vomiting, and probably some diarrhea, too. Your pets' temperature and heart rate will also increase as their blood pressure lowers, and they can potentially have seizures. Cardiac failure can also be caused in severe toxicity cases.

The darker the chocolate, the heavier the toxin:
As little as one pound of milk chocolate can be toxic to a 20-pound dog; 6 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate; or 2 ounces of baking chocolate. Check out PetMed.com's Chocolate Toxicity Meter to see how toxic chocolate is for your pet!

There is NO ANTIDOTE to chocolate toxicity, so if you believe your pet has ingested any chocolate, please seek Emergency Care right away! 

The LAH Team wishes you and your pets a safe and

Happy Halloween!

At Lombard Animal Hospital, in Portland, Oregon we strive to increase the quality of life for pets and their people through education, 
nutrition and wellness!

Give us a call -- We'd love to see you and your pets!

503.285.2337

www.lombardanimalhospital.com

Food Hazards: 10 Most Surprising Facts

There are many food hazards/toxins out there, but most of them might surprise you! Here's a list of the Top 10 Most Surprising Facts we learned during a webinar provided by the Pet Poison Helpline:

1. Lithium Ion batteries carry a higher electrical current, and if ingested can burn flesh. They generally become stuck in the esophagus causing perforation.
2. Up to 50% of pets that ingest sleep aids like Lunesta or Ambien have similar symptoms to those related to amphetamines (hyperactivity, hypersalivation, panting, tremors).
3. Many toxins are on the list because of the risk of Foreign Body Obstruction, not necessarily toxicity (like Insect Bait traps, which are often flavored and get swallowed by an unsuspecting dog).
4. Vomiting is NOT always the best course of action when a pet has ingested a toxin.
5. Ibuprofen has a 72-hr half life in dogs; it stays in the system for a VERY long time.
6. Chocolate can stay in your pet's stomach for up to 12 hours.
7. Serotonin Syndrome - excessive release of serotonin can become toxic; caused by ingestion of antidepressants and anxiolytics.
8. German Shepherds and Cats are especially sensitive to over-the-counter NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, cold & flu meds).
9. House items/cleaners are slightly toxic, but cause GI irritation and can become corrosive (Concentrated Bleach, drain/oven cleaner).
10. You can find evidence of Dry Cell Battery ingestion on your pet's teeth.

Pet Poison Helpline offers an iPhone app for $1.99;

which includes photos and descriptions of toxins.

At Lombard Animal Hospital, in Portland, Oregon we strive to increase the quality of life for pets and their people through education, 
nutrition and wellness!

Give us a call -- We'd love to see you and your pets!

503.285.2337

www.lombardanimalhospital.com

FOOD HAZARDS: Gator's Story

Gator, looking very sad before surgery.

Gator is an 18-month old Pit Bull, who was offered bones and decided he’d crunch them all up and swallow them. This led to an obstruction in Gator’s intestinal tract, and he began vomiting, and not wanting to eat much of anything else.

Gator was brought in, and after x-rays were taken, we found the obstruction and prepped for surgery. Some of the bone fragments were so pointy they almost pierced his intestines! After two days of hospitalization, Gator was ready to go home! Boy, was he happy to see his mom!

You can see the fragments of bone in his belly

At Lombard Animal Hospital we offer many safe alternatives to cooked bone, including: Antlerz (in various sizes), Curly pizzles and Windees – all natural products that can give your pup something to chew on without the disastrous consequences of bones!

 Gator and Mom share a moment while he recovers from surgery

It's been two months since Gator's surgery, 
and he's back to his normal self!

At Lombard Animal Hospital, in Portland, Oregon, we strive to increase the quality of life for pets and their people through education, nutrition and wellness!

Give us a call -- We'd love to see you and your pets!

503.285.2337

www.lombardanimalhospital.com

Food Toxins

At Lombard Animal Hospital, we know that as pet owners/parents/guardians/friends, we like to spoil our pets. Sometimes, spoiling them, is really spoiling them. 

Dogs love table scraps. Sometimes, cats do too! But what are we really doing to our pet when we give them these leftovers?

More than likely the meat you just gave your dog has a lot of fat, or seasoning on it. These things are not good for your dog. As much as you'd like to give your cat a sip of milk out of your bowl, but it's really not a good idea.

Foods like grapes, milk products, alcohol, nuts, onions and garlic, can be very harmful to your pet. In some cases they may cause mild diarrhea, and in others, liver or kidney failure. Please always be aware of what you're feeding your pets. Make sure their regular diet is nutrient-rich so you don't feel like you have to give them table scraps.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FOOD TOXINS

At Lombard Animal Hospital, in Portland, Oregon we strive to increase the quality of life for pets and their people through education, nutrition and wellness!

Give us a call -- We'd love to see you and your pets!

503.285.2337

www.lombardanimalhospital.com