Posts tagged "ask a vet"

A: It is not dangerous for dogs to eat apples. In fact, I give my dogs an apple whenever I eat one and they love it.

Apple seeds, however, contain cyanide, which is toxic to dogs. But do not be alarmed if your dog ingests a few apple seeds or even an entire apple -- your animal would need to ingest a very large amount of seeds for it to be a danger.

In general, dogs can safely consume most fruit with the exception of grapes and raisins. Though the reasons are unknown, ingestion of grapes and raisins can cause renal damage in dogs. Note though that some dogs can eat all the grapes they want and see no negative effects while others get sick. Some reports have also shown the consumption of star fruit to be problematic for dogs. If your dogs eats any of these fruits, be sure to consult your vet to be safe.

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A: Many pet owners come to me with questions about dogs and chocolate. The topic is especially timely now, when Halloween candy is in so many homes across the US. During the holiday season in general vets see an increase in visits from owners whose dogs have ingested chocolate simply because there tends to be more of it lying around the house. The reason we see chocolate ingestion more in dog than cats is because dogs will often eat anything that smells good whereas cats are more picky.

Chocolate contains theobromine, an alkaloid of the cacao plant. Though the amount found in chocolate is safe for humans to ingest, theobromine is harmful to dogs because they metabolize this alkaloid more slowly than humans do. Not all chocolate contains the same amount of theobromine: milk chocolate contains less then semi-sweet chocolate, which contains less then baking chocolate.

A dog that has eaten chocolate may exhibit symptoms including (but not limited to) vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, racing heart rhythm progressing to abnormal rhythms and, in severe cases, death. Other problems associated with chocolate ingestion include the high fat content in some chocolate products, and pancreatitis, which can also be seen post-ingestion.

If you know or suspect that your dog has eaten a piece of chocolate, contact your veterinarian. If possible, make sure to describe the type of chocolate and amount consumed. Your veterinarian can perform a simple mathematical formula that will determine whether or not the amount your dog ingested is toxic and requires immediate veterinary care.

During the holiday season -- especially Halloween -- be sure to keep chocolate out of reach of your animals.

A: One very common reason dogs chew their paws is in response to a skin problem caused by allergies.

Dogs can have allergic reactions to food, environmental and seasonal factors, and through contact with certain household objects, like rugs.

However, some dogs simply chew their paws out of boredom and can actually lick the same area until they've chewed off all the fur, which can cause an infection. Constant licking can also lead to a behavioral problem like obsessive-compulsive disorder.

If your dog is continuously licking or chewing his paws and you see signs that saliva has discolored his fur, I would suggest having him evaluated by your veterinarian, who can prescribe drugs if the chewing is causing any harm.

If you suspect it's just boredom that is causing your pooch to obsess, make sure you keep him busy with entertaining toys so he won't resort to his paws when you aren't around.




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A: Cats love playing with long thin objects, but they can easily swallow them. This is a huge problem and it's something I see pretty often working in the emergency room. Cats will chew on all sorts of items in their home, such as paper, wires, string, dental floss, needles, pennies, paper clips, and thread.

These thin objects -- called linear foreign bodies -- can cause an obstruction in the cat's gastrointestinal tract, which requires immediate veterinary assistance. Vets typically do an endoscopic removal, but if the object has traveled past the cat's stomach, it may require a surgical removal.

If a linear foreign body is left in a cat for a long time without treatment, the cat can become severely ill and even die from the gastrointestinal perforation.

To prevent these situations from occurring, you need to make sure your house is essentially baby-proofed. Don't leave any napkins, string, floss, or needles within your cats reach and make sure your cat has plenty of safe toys to keep themselves happy.

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A: My best advice is to bring the guinea pig to a groomer or a vet for a simple trim, especially if you're nervous about cutting your pet's nails yourself. Since guinea pigs' nails are tiny, you could easily cut one too short and cause it to bleed if you're not careful.

However, if you are comfortable trimming your guinea pig's nails on your own, use a traditional nail clipper or even a Pedi Paws Nail Trimmer.

Remember that guinea pigs are typically nervous creatures that may freak out if you try to cut their nails. If they sense that you're nervous (which most pet owners are in these situations) they may start to squirm around.

If any pet tries to fight you or move away when you're cutting their nails, don't force it. It's difficult to use your best judgment when they get nervous. If you have any hesitation, get it done professionally.

A: In a recent question to Paw Nation, a user asked me if dogs eat grass to settle their stomachs or, since her dog often throws up after eating the green stuff, if it's the grass that actually upsets their stomachs.

But first let's answer the question, why do dogs and cats eat grass?

Some dogs and cats inherited their taste for grass from their ancestors, others chomp it just to have something to do, and some do indeed munch on grass to settle an upset stomach or another gastrointestinal-related problem. Eating grass will often cause vomiting, sometimes because the grass itself upsets your dog's or cat's stomach, or simply because they ate too much.

If your dog or cat is eating grass and vomiting every morning, I would advise bringing it to a vet for an exam.

Grass has no nutritional value for dogs or cats, but it won't harm them if they like to eat it once in a while. Just be sure to watch your pet's behavior and keep your eye on the type of grass he eats. Grass that has been sprayed with pesticides could potentially be toxic. If a dog or cat consumes grass that has been treated with chemicals for a long period of time, there could easily be harmful effects.

Also keep in mind that, like humans, dogs and cats can have behavioral issues. Constant grass eating could be a sign that your pet is obsessive-compulsive.

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