Luckily, most people understand
that there are human medications,
and there are dog medications
But the last few years more and more people
think they are veterinarians themselves
and think they can do without a vets visit
On the internet there are several lists
that are spread with titles as:
‘Human Medication approved by Vets’
I think this is a dangerous trend.
It is true, even though there are not many,
there are some human medications that work for dogs as well,
but before you can give any medication you have to make a diagnosis
and only a skilled veterinarian can do this
Do not think, that just because you got a lot of experience
as a dogowner that this makes you a skilled Vet!
With the bad economy, people try to be inventive
and try to diagnose their dogs by searching the internet
and giving them human medications
Because of this a lot of Dogs get poisoned.
In the US there was an estimate made
that in a single year that about 100.000 pets were poisoned
The Top 3 reasons of Pet Poisoning:
1. Medication for humans
2. Flee and Tick products
3. Human food
Even giving your dog baby aspirin,
formerly thought of as safe,
is not only harmful to your dog’s kidneys
but studies show it has no effect on dog’s pain!
Only give your dog medication that is for dogs.
Do Not give any pet medication from other species as well.
Cat Medicine are totally different than dogs for instance
Some of the human medications do work for dogs
but only use them under vet supervision and recommendation.
Always consult your vet before giving your dog any medication
so you don’t risk overdosing or harming your own dog!
As a responsible dogowner
you should know what foods to avoid
so you can prevent poisoning and keep your dog healthy.
If you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic food,
seek veterinary attention immediately.
Here is a list of Foods you should not feed to your Dog
Avocado
While avocado may be a healthy snack for dog owners,
it should not be given to dogs at all.
The pit, skin, and leaves of avocados contain persin,
a toxin that often causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs
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
Cherries
Cherry plants contain cyanide and are toxic to dogs.
Cyanide disrupts cellular oxygen transport, which means
that your dog’s blood cells can’t get enough oxygen
If your dog eats cherries, be on the lookout for dilated pupils,
difficulty breathing, and red gums, as these may be signs
of cyanide poisoning
Chocolate & Caffeine
Chocolate & anything with caffeine especially dark chocolate
contains theobromine which is similar to caffeine.
This is a very dangerous substance to dogs.
If you know that your dog has eaten chocolate
take it to the vet immediately.
If your dog eats a very small amount of chocolate,
usually it only causes digestive issues.
More on Chocolate Poisoning here
Citrus
The stems, leaves, peels, fruit and seeds of citrus plants
contain varying amounts of citric acid, essential oils
that can cause irritation and possibly
even damage to the central nervous system
if ingested in significant amounts.
Small doses, such as eating the fruit,
are not likely to present problems
beyond minor stomach upset
Onions & Garlic
Onions & Garlic contain sulfoxides and disulfides
which damage red blood cells and cause anemia.
Onions being the most toxic of the two.
However a very small amounts of garlic
can be good for the dogs coat and helps against parasites
Grapes & Raisins
Grapes and Raisins are extremely toxic
and have a toxin that can cause kidney damage
and can lead to kidney failure
Nuts
Macadamia & Other nuts contain toxins
that effect the digestive system, nervous system, and muscles
Mushrooms
Mushrooms effect many areas of a dogs body.
They can cause shock and even possibly death
Read more on toxic plants and mushrooms
Liver
Large quantities of liver results in vitamin A toxisity
and effects muscles and bones of the animal
Human Vitamins
Human Vitamins containing Iron
damage dogs digestive system wall lining, kidneys, and liver.
Be sure to use a vitamin supplement designed for dogs More on Dog medication here
Milk and Dairy Products
Milk & Other Dairy Products have lactose and
many dogs don’t have enough lactose enzymes
to effectively break it down. This effects the dogs
digestive system and leads to diarrhea
Raw Eggs
Raw eggs contain an enzyme known as avidin
which restricts the absorption of biotin one of the many B Vitamins.
This can lead to an unhealthy coat and skin problems.
Also eggs can carry salmonella which is poisonous to dogs
People Food People Food in general should be avoided at all times.
Many people foods have far to many fats, sugars, and salt.
Salt causes electrolite imballances in dogs.
Sugars are not a natural food and causes obesity,
and large amounts of fat and protein can’t be digested correctly
and causes digestion problems as well as liver disfunction
Want to try something new for your dog as a treat or food?
Make sure to check if the food is safe for your dog
and when in doubt always check with your veterinarian
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