Here’s a comprehensive list of food that you should never feed your dog! If your dog has consumed any of these, please consult a vet to ensure the dog is monitored correctly.
Alcohol – I’m sure you’ve heard of the birthday parties where the dog accidentally gets into some of the spilled keg beer, and then gets all silly to the amusement of the crowd. While it may be funny to you, it’s not funny to your dog. Alcohol can cause not only intoxication, lack of coordination, poor breathing, and abnormal acidity, but potentially even coma and/or death.
Baby Food – Baby food by itself isn’t terrible, just make sure it doesn’t contain any onion powder. Baby food also doesn’t contain all the nutrients a dog relies on for a healthy, well-maintained diet.
Cooked Bones – When it comes to bones, the danger is that cooked bones can easily splinter when chewed by your dog. Raw (uncooked) bones, however, are appropriate and good for both your dog’s nutritional and teeth.
Candy and Chewing Gum – Not only does candy contain sugar, but it often contains Xylitol, which can lead to the over-release of insulin, kidney failure, and worse.
Cat Food – Not that they would want this anyway, but cat food contains proteins and fats that are targeted at the diet of a cat, not a dog. The protein and fat levels in cat food are too high for your dog, and not healthy.
Chocolate– You’ve probably heard this before, but chocolate is a definite no no for your pup. And it’s not just about caffeine, which is enough to harm your dog by itself, but theobromine and theophylline, which can be toxic, cause panting, vomiting, and diarrhea, and damage your dog’s heart and nervous systems.
Citrus Oil Extracts – Can cause vomiting.
Coffee – Not sure why you would give your dog coffee, but pretty much the same applies here as to chocolate. This is essentially poison for your dog if ingested.
Corn on the Cob – This is a sure way to get your dog’s intestine blocked. The corn is digested, but the cob gets lodged in the small intestine, and if it’s not removed surgically, can prove fatal to your dog. Additionally, too much corn kernels can upset the digestive tract as well so be cautious to not feed too much.
Fat Trimmings – Can cause pancreatitis.
Fish – The primary fish that you need to be careful about are salmon and trout. Raw salmon can be fatal to dogs if the fish is infected with a certain parasite, Nanophyetus salmincola. The parasite itself isn’t dangerous to dogs, but is often infected with a bacteria called Neorickettsia helminthoeca, which in many cases is fatal to dogs if not treated properly. If diagnosis occurs early on, the dog has a great chance of recovering. Cooked salmon is fine as it kills the parasite.
Garlic – While garlic can be okay for dogs in very small amounts (and even beneficial for flea treatment), larger amounts can be risky. Garlic is related to onions which is toxic for dogs so it may be best to just avoid it.
Grapes and Raisins – This is one that lots of dog owners are unaware of. Grapes contain a toxin that can cause severe liver damage and kidney failure. We’ve heard stories of dogs dying from only a handful of grapes so do not feed your pup this toxic food.
Hops – An ingredient in beer that can be toxic to your dog. The consumption of hops by your dog can cause panting, an increased heart rate, fever, seizures, and even death.
Human Vitamins – Some human vitamins are okay to use, but the key is comparing the ingredients (all of them – active and inactive) to the vitamins your vet subscribes for your dog (often you can get the human equivalent for much less money). Make sure there’s no iron – iron can damage the digestive system lining, and prove poisonous for the liver and kidneys.
Liver – In small amounts, liver is great but avoid feeding too much liver to your dog. Liver contains quite a bit of Vitamin A, which can adversely affect your pup’s muscles and bones.
Macadamia Nuts – These contain a toxin that can inhibit locomotory activities, resulting in weakness, panting, swollen limbs, and tremors as well as possible damage to your dog’s digestive, nervous, and muscle systems.
Marijuana – Not that you would pass the bong to your dog, but if you do, you should know that marijuana can adversely affect your pup’s nervous system and heart rate, and induce vomiting. Read more about Dogs and Marijuana.
Milk and Dairy Products – While small doses aren’t going to kill your dog, you could get some smelly farts and some nasty cases of diarrhea. Why? Dogs are lactose intolerant (as are an increasing number of humans today), and don’t have enough of the lactase enzyme to properly digest dairy foods. If you really need to give them dairy, look into lactose-free dairy products.
Mushrooms – Just as the wrong mushroom can be fatal to humans, the same applies to dogs. Don’t mess with them.
Onions and Chives – No matter what form they’re in (dry, raw, cooked, powder, within other foods), onions are some of the absolute worst foods you could possibly give your pup (it’s poisonous for dogs, and its even worse for cats). They contain disulfides and sulfoxides (thiosulphate), both of which can cause anemia and damage red blood cells.
Persimmons, Peaches and Plums– Peach pits are not only a choke hazard they contain amygdalin, a cyanide and sugar compound that degrades into hydrogen cyanide (HCN) when metabolized. Pear seeds also contain trace amount of arsenic and are dangerous. So if you live in an area that is home to persimmon, peach, or plum trees, look out. Persimmon seeds and peach and plum pits can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis. You’ll want to make sure there aren’t any wild persimmon or other fruit trees that produce seeds growing in your backyard. If you notice your dog pooping all over the place, and see a bunch of seeds or pits in their waste, you’ll need to break out the saw and chop down some trees.
Rhubarb and Tomato Leaves – These contain oxalates, which can adversely affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.
Raw Fish – Another vitamin B (Thiamine) deficiency can result from the regular consumption of raw fish. Loss of appetite will be common, followed by seizures, and in rare instances, death.
Salt – Just like salt isn’t the healthiest thing for humans, it’s even less healthy for dogs. Too much of it can lead to an imbalance in electrolyte levels, dehydration and potentially diarrhea.
Spices containing Capsaicin – Capsaicin, found in chili powder, paprika, and just about any other pepper (bell, chili, etc.), is an irritant for mammals of all shape and size.
String – While not a food itself, foods can often contain or be similar to string (ie. meat you’ve wrapped for the oven). If your dog were to eat a string, it could get stuck in their digestive tract and cause complications.
Sugar – This applies to any food containing sugar. Make sure you check the ingredient label for human foods – corn syrup (which is a less expensive form of sugar or glucose) is found in just about everything these days. Too much sugar for your pup can lead to dental issues, obesity, and even diabetes.
Tobacco – A major toxic hazard for dogs (and humans). The effects nicotine has on dogs are far worse than on humans. Nicotine can damage your pup’s digestive and nervous systems, increase their heart rate, make them pass out, and ultimately result in death.
Xylitol – A sugar alcohol found in gum, candies, baked goods, and other sugar-substituted items, Xylitol, while causing no apparent harm to humans, is extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, even death for your pup.
Yeast (on its own or in dough) – Just like yeast rises in bread, it will also expand and rise within your pup’s tummy. Make sure they don’t get any. While mild cases will cause gas, lots of farting, and discomfort – too much of it could rupture their stomach and intestines.
Nelspruit is well known for its extremely hot and humid summers. If you are feeling hot and dehydrated today, imagine how it must feel with an extra layer of fur! Since dogs are not as efficient at releasing heat as we are, it’s important to keep your pets cool and hydrated. Heatstroke in pets is a very serious condition and can escalate in a matter of minutes.
Did you know that certain dogs, like flat-faced/ brachycephalic dogs (Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers etc), older and overweight dogs are more prone to heatstroke? Even dogs who enjoy constant exercise and playtime such as Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds and Border Collies should be closely monitored for symptoms of heatstroke, especially on hot days.
Knowing how to treat a pet experiencing heatstroke or overheating may be vital to saving your pet’s life. Luckily, it’s not difficult to spot signs of overheating in pets.
Warning signs and common symptoms of heat exhaustion or heatstroke in your pet
Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
Increased heart rate
Dehydration (dry nose, visible tiredness, excessive panting and sunken eyes, if you lift a bit of skin at the back of the neck and it stays up like a tent)
Excessive drooling and thick saliva
Fever (anything over 39.2°C)
Bright red, grey, purple or bluish gums
Lack of urine
Disorientated and dizzy
Vomiting & Diarrhoea (possibly with blood)
Seizures & Unconsciousness
Any signs of heatstroke must be treated as an absolute emergency and the dog must go to the vet immediately
Treatment of dehydration and heatstroke
Move the dog into the shade
Pour small amounts of room temperature or cool water onto their body (never ice-cold water)
Do not cover him with damp or soaked towels as this will prevent the heat from escaping
Apply cold water or ice packs only under the armpits and groin
Help them to drink small amounts of room temperature water
Once breathing settles, get your pet to the vet urgently
Stroking the ears (from the base to the tip) can help to calm your dog down.
Even if your dog appears to have recovered, it is essential to go straight to a vet.
Prevention and tips to keep your pet cool
Provide plenty of shade outside
Allow them access to a pool or create a small dog pond for them
Hose them down with a gentle spray of water from a hosepipe
Gently wipe down your cat with a wet towel
Keep the windows open and use a fan/air conditioner indoors
Use ice bricks under their beds to keep it cool
Freeze their chew toys as a cool toy for them to play with
Refrigerate or freeze their wet food as a frosty treat or freeze pieces of food such as chicken in a cube of water as an ice cube treat
Some dogs even enjoy licking and chewing on a regular water ice block or chicken or beef broth ice blocks.
Don’t encourage play or exercise your pets during hot weather (keep it to early mornings or late evenings)
Consider trimming your pet’s fur if it’s long or thick
Did you know your pet is not immune to mosquito bites?
Mosquito bites on dogs
Mosquito bites are not only annoying but can cause serious allergic reactions and infections, as well as the added risk of transmitting serious diseases.
Allergic reactionsand infections
Your dog could suffer an allergic reaction to mosquito bites. You might see your dog suddenly licking, chewing or scratching himself. Mosquito bites can cause swelling, redness and hives in a dog. A single mosquito bite can cause enough itch and irritation to result in excessive scratching or chewing at the skin. Although such an allergy often remains a local skin irritation, it could also, in severe cases, lead to a skin infection.
Symptoms of Mosquito Bite Allergies in Dogs
The allergic reaction to mosquito bites can range from mild to critical.
Mild reactions
Bumps
Obsessive Licking
Pawing at the face
Localized swelling
Vocalizations
Moderate reactions
Chewing of feet
Fever
Hives
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Pronounced localized swelling
Rash on the face or paws
Swelling of the face
Critical reaction (anaphylactic shock)
Cold limbs
Coma
Difficulty breathing
Elevated heart rate
Excessive drooling
Low blood pressure
Pale gums
Seizures
Sudden diarrhoea
Sudden vomiting
If your pet’s symptoms progress from mild to moderate, contact your veterinarian and take your dog to the nearest veterinarian or emergency animal clinic right away. In some cases, symptoms of insect allergy can move from moderate to lethal in less than five minutes.
Diseases transmitted by mosquitos
There have been reports of dogs contracting the West Nile virus through mosquito bites. The symptoms are generally confined to a light fever and lethargy.
Horses are more susceptible to illness from West Nile virus and, though most horses recover from the virus, it can be deadly in some cases. The virus invades horses’ central nervous systems and may cause inflammation of the brain.
Symptoms of West Nile Virus in horses may include a general loss of appetite and depression. The following are also possible symptoms of infection in horses:
Fever
Weakness or paralysis of hind limbs
Impaired vision
General weakness
Head pressing
Aimless wandering
Convulsions/seizures
Inability to swallow
Walking in circles
Hyperexcitability
Coma
Fortunately, there is a West Nile virus vaccine for horses, so talk to your vet about getting your horse immunized.
Protecting your pets from Mosquitos
Stay inside (and keep your pets with you) around sunrise and sunset when mosquitoes are often most active.
Avoid swamps, lakes and other areas infested with mosquitoes.
When spending time outdoors with your dog, avoid wearing floral scents as these attract mosquitoes.
Install window and door screens to prevent mosquitoes access to your home. Repair any holes in screens.
Certain plants (like Basil, Lemongrass, Chrysanthemums, Mint, Rosemary, Lavender, Catnip) around your garden can keep the mosquitoes at bay.
Eliminate standing water around your home where mosquitoes can breed.
Never use human insect repellent on your pets – Pets’ grooming habits can cause them to ingest this repellant which can be toxic. Never use products specifically designed for dogs on cats, or for cats on dogs. Speak to your vet today about a suitable product for your pet to safely repel insects.
Keep your horse stabled around dawn and dusk.
Use fly sheets, masks and leg wraps as well as equine-approved mosquito repellants on your horses.
Avoid lighting incandescent lamps inside the stall area at night because they attract mosquitoes. Burning an incandescent lamp away from the stalls may help draw mosquitoes away.
Place fans in stalls. Mosquitoes are somewhat repelled by air movement.
Links to natural homemade DIY mosquito repellants for your pets:
Dogs are very curious creatures, and in the summer, unfortunately, that means they will be investigating all the creatures of the world with their noses and paws – the two prime targets of insect stings.
A sting on your dog’s sensitive nose is extremely painful. Some dogs may even get stung on the tongue or inside their mouth or throat if they try to bite or catch an insect. These stings can be dangerous – the subsequent swelling can close your dog’s throat and block his airway.
Multiple stings are dangerous. Most of the time, an insect sting is just painful and irritating for your dog. Getting stung several times, or stung inside the mouth or throat, is dangerous and requires a trip to the veterinarian.
Bee and wasp stings are poisons. The two most common types of stinging insects are bees and wasps. It’s not the small puncture wound that causes the sting’s pain, but the small amount of poison that is injected.
A bee’s stinger is barbed and designed to lodge in the skin, killing the bee when the stinger detaches from the body
Wasp stingers are not barbed but are more painful, and if provoked these insects can sting multiple times
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A STING
1. Remove the stinger as quickly as possible
A simple sting should be bothersome only temporarily. In most cases, there will be mild swelling and tenderness where the dog or cat was stung, usually on the face or paws. If it is swollen and a little puffy, it is a localized reaction to the sting.
If a stinger is still present, try to remove it by scraping it with a fingernail or a rigid piece of cardboard or credit card. Do not try to remove the stinger with your fingers, tweezers or forceps, because this may cause the venom sac to rupture and force more venom out of the stinger.
2. Watch for severe allergic reactionsor anaphylactic shock
A severe reaction can be caused by a large number of stings or by an allergic reaction. Signs of a reaction include:
General weakness
Difficulty breathing
A large amount of swelling extending away from the sting site
Starts vomiting within 5-10 minutes
Gums turn pale
If your dog is having a severe reaction, you need to take the dog to a vet immediately.
Depending on your dog’s condition, your pet may need to be hospitalized and the veterinarian may administer medications such as antihistamines, steroids and epinephrine as well as intravenous fluids and oxygen.
3. Administer a remedy for the pain
Wrap ice, an icepack or a pack of frozen vegetables in a towel and apply it to the wound to reduce swelling and pain. You can also run a washcloth under some cool tap water and then wrap it around or press it onto the site of the sting.
Contact your veterinarian who will advise you what over-the-counter medicine can be administered, as well as the correct dosage based on your pet’s weight.
“It’s very important to consult a doctor before giving your pets any kind of medicine, especially medicine intended for humans.“
4. Monitor your dogafterwards
Observe your dog closely after the sting incident to ensure an allergic reaction doesn’t develop and the swelling does not increase or spread. If several days pass and the swelling doesn’t go down, notify your veterinarian.
The lush bushveld of the Lowveld in Mpumalanga combined with its warm, humid climate make this region the ideal habitat for snakes. Finding these slithery creatures in home gardens in the area is standard and although this may make us feel that we truly are close to the wonders of nature, it unfortunately also poses a threat to our domestic animals, especially dogs.
The danger to our pets
when it comes to snakes isn’t only related to snake bites. Throughout the year
local veterinarians are inundated with emergency calls and visits from pet
owners whose furry family members have been spat in the eye by the Mozambique
Spitting Cobra.
These species of snakes
can eject their venom up to about two meters
and remarkably enough know exactly how to aim for the eyes. In fact, there is
evidence that if a spitting snake spits at you while you are moving from side
to side, it will predictively spit ahead of you so that the venom gets into
your eyes at the right time. Although this is an amazing fact of nature, it
isn’t so great if you are a nosy and determined dog that’s determined to take
on these fearless reptiles.
We use a special dye (fluorescein) to determine the extent of the damage caused by the venom to the eye’s cornea. The green in the photo shows the damaged part of the eye.
Venom in the eyes is extremely painful.
In fact, some have related the feeling to that of rubbing the eyes with a
mixture of sand and petrol. So, when your dog suffers this fate it’s essential
that you treat it immediately, and correctly.
As soon as it happens, or you realise it has happened, it is vital that
you follow the three-step plan:
Step 1 – Flush the animal’s
eye with clean water. Rinse the eye completely and repeat 5 minutes later. This
needs to be done even if there is no evidence of damage to the eye (watery or
closed eye).
Step 2 – Take the animal to
the vet as soon as possible. If it is during office hours, it is advisable to
take the animal to your local vet immediately. If the incident happens after
hours follow Step 1 and call your vet for advice.
Step 3 – On examination, the
vet will examine the eye. They use a special dye call fluorescein to stain the
cornea. This stain helps to determine the damage to the cornea that might be
invisible to the naked eye. Specific treatment will be implemented based on the
severity and extent of corneal damage. Please be aware, pets lose their
eyesight if not treated with the right medication. One of the many reasons why
a vet can’t dispense medication over the counter for these injuries.
Do you live in a highly-populated snake area? Or would you like to be prepared in case your pet does suffer the fate of getting spat in the eye? We have a special Kryon Eye Wash bottle that can be bought at our clinic or online – this makes flushing the eye a lot easier and doesn’t burn the eye at all!
African horse sickness is a highly infectious and deadly disease caused by the African horse sickness virus. It commonly affects horses (mortality rate 70-90%), mules, and donkeys. Zebras and donkeys rarely develop serious symptoms.
How do horses contract the disease?
AHS does not spread directly from one horse to another but is transmitted by the Culicoides midge ( also called “punkies” or “no-see-ums” ), which becomes infected when feeding on other infected Equidae. Mosquitoes and biting flies may also be able to transfer the virus.
Blood-feeding Culicoides Midges
It occurs mostly in the warm, rainy season when midges are plentiful, and disappears after frost when the midges die. Most animals become infected in the period associated with sunset and sunrise when the midges are most active.
Symptoms:
The disease manifests in three ways, namely the lung form, the heart form and the mixed form. The lung (dunkop) form is characterised in the following manner:
very high fever (up to 41 degrees).
difficulty in breathing, with mouth open and head hanging down.
frothy discharge may pour from the nose.
sudden onset of death.
very high death rate (90%).
This form of the disease has the highest mortality rate. (90%)
The heart (dikkop) form is characterised in the following manner:
fever, followed by swelling of the head and eyes.
in severe cases, the entire head swells (“dikkop”).
loss of ability to swallow and possible colic symptoms may occur.
terminal signs include bleeding (of pinpoint size) in the membranes of the mouth and eyes.
Slower onset of death, occurring 4 to 8 days after the fever has started.
Mortality rate is between 50 and 70%, and survivors recover in 7 days
The mixed form is characterised by symptoms of both the dunkop and dikkop forms of the disease.
Diagnosis and Notification
The symptoms described above may assist with an initial diagnosis of AHS. This diagnosis can only be confirmed by identifying the virus in a laboratory. It is, therefore, essential that blood samples be taken from the horse during the fever stage of the disease for analysis. As AHS is a controlled disease, horse owners are obliged by law to notify the local State Veterinarian of suspected cases.
There is no specific treatment for animals with AHS apart from rest and good husbandry. Complicating and secondary infections should be treated appropriately during recovery.
Control of African Horse Sickness
African Horse Sickness (AHS) is one of a number of diseases known to be potentially damaging to the livestock economy. By way of the Animal Diseases Act (Act No. 35 of 1984), AHS has been declared a state-controlled disease, thereby empowering the state to implement measures to control the disease. Horse owners are also required by this law to notify their local state veterinarian of any cases of AHS. The Act also requires that all equines (horses, donkeys and mules) must be vaccinated at least once a year with an approved AHS vaccine.
How can I protect my animals from African horse sickness?
The best way to protect animals from African horse sickness is to make sure they get their annual vaccinations, as well as to decrease their exposure to biting midges and other insects (e.g., mosquitoes and biting flies). Stabling horses in insect-proof housing, particularly between dusk and dawn when the insects are most active, can help prevent exposure. Insect repellents and insecticides may also be useful. Monitor your horse’s temperature. Horses with fevers should be examined by your veterinarian.
African Horse Sickness Vaccination Programme
All horses and all foals should be vaccinated against African Horse Sickness by a veterinary surgeon, using a registered, non-expired vaccine supplied by the Veterinarian administering the vaccine.
Foals between the ages of 6 and 18 months should get two sets of vaccines not less than 30 days apart, where possible, between 1 June and 31 October; and thereafter every year between 1 June and 31 October.
Contact us if you have any questions and any of our friendly vets will assist.
