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Arthritis in Pets

Winter has arrived, once again. For many of us, this means we're back into the old routine of shoveling snow and driving carefully on icy roads. These cold weather conditions can also mean a more difficult time for your pet. Arthritis is a condition in which your pet's joints become inflamed often accompanied by pain, heat, and swelling in the joints. It may be hard to detect arthritis in your pet because they cannot complain about achy joints or soreness so what you must look for is a response to pain. Some of these signs may be avoiding activities they used to enjoy, nipping or crying out in pain when touched, or a change in attitude...grumpy pets! While all of these signs are good indicators of arthritic pain, your pet should be seen by your veterinarian to determine exactly what is going on.


We recommend a few different types of treatment for joint inflammation and pain. VOM (Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation) is a healing technology that locates areas of the animal's nervous system that have fallen out of communication and re-establishes neuronal communication thus inducing healing. VOM exists in between veterinary medicine and chiropractic care. A hand-held device is used to perform a technique that is similar to but not to be confused with a technique used in humans called "Activator Methods". VOM helps to restore function by reducing "subluxations", thus alleviating pain and discomfort in your pet.


A second recommendation for painful, arthritic pets is laser therapy. Laser therapy is beneficial in alleviating chronic pain, accelerating the healing process, rehabilitation and much more. Treatment time, laser pulse, and the frequencies used all depend on the size and condition of your pet. Additional benefits of using laser therapy are:



A sample treatment schedule would be as follows: Laser treatment every other day for 1 week, two laser therapy sessions during week #2, and one treatment during the third week. After the initial treatment plan, booster laser treatments are performed, as needed.


One last option for arthritis pain is the use of a glucosamine supplement or special diet. Just as in humans, glucosamine has shown very significant results in pets. Glucosamine is a natural dietary supplement already found in the cartilage and synovial fluid of you and your pet's joints. Results from regular use start to appear about 1-2 weeks. There are many different factors you should take into consideration before giving your pet glucosamine tablets: the type of glucosamine, the quality of the ingredients, the method of delivery (liquid or pills?), the amount of glucosamine needed per day, additional ingredients other than glucosamine, and daily cost. All of these questions can be answered by our doctors and technical staff. Diets high in Omega 3 fatty acids, such as Hill's J/d diet, can also interrupt the destruction of cartilage thus reducing pain and inflammation.


Call our office today to get more information on how we can help alleviate your pet's pain!

Keep Your Pet Safe Over the Holidays!

To ensure that your pets are safe throughout the season, take the following precautions with potential holiday hazards during your time of celebration with family and friends.


Presents for Your Pets

When selecting presents for your pets, make sure to avoid toys with strings or small, removable objects that can be easily ingested by your companion. Ingestion can cause an obstruction in your pet which can potentially lead to surgery for removal of the object. Also, make sure to give appropriate-sized treats, bones and chews to pets to ensure they do not choke on pieces that break off.


Holiday Foods & Plants

Many holiday foods and plants are toxic to your pet and can lead to severe sickness or even death, if ingested. Here is a list of foods and plants to avoid:


This is just a small list of hazardous holiday foods & plants. If at all possible, it is best not to give human food to pets but if you decide to do so, please be sure to research any foods prior to giving them to your pet. If your pet ingests any of these by accident, it is important to call your veterinarian immediately...don't wait!


Christmas Tree and decor Safety

Christmas trees can cause many potential hazards. If you have a real Christmas tree, make sure to keep the water covered. Many pets are tempted to drink this but it can contain pine sap or other chemicals that are potentially dangerous to your pets. Make sure your tree is secured to a wall or ceiling or placed in a corner to prevent it from falling over. Also, keep tinsel, ornament hooks, glass ornaments, and ribbon out of your pets reach for they can cause injury or sickness if ingested by your pet.

These tips should help you keep your pets happy and healthy! We hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!



November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month

Pet Cancer Awareness Month

Pet Cancer Facts:



Pet cancer signs, as identified by the Veterinary Cancer Society:


  1. Persistent, abnormal swelling
  2. Sores that do not heal
  3. Loss of weight
  4. Loss of appetite
  5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
  6. Offensive odor
  7. Difficulty eating or swallowing
  8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
  9. Persistent lameness or stiffness
  10. Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

Just as in people, early detection is critical. This is why it is so important have your pet examined regularly. If your pet has any of these warning signs, visit your veterinarian as soon as possible for a complete exam.



Warm Weather Safety Tips

Click here to download article.



heartworm

Heartworm Disease

What You Should Know!
heartworm products



Give Your Pet a Reason to Smile

Pets Smiling

When your pet has a dental in the month of February his/her name is entered into a drawing for a Gift Basket of Dental Care Supplies to keep your pet smiling long after the dental.

Dental Cleaning

Ask our staff to get your pet's dental scheduled!

February is Dental Health Month!

Dental disease is one of the most common health problems your pet will face in his/her lifetime. Common dental problems include tartar buildup, gum disease, cavity-like tooth damage, broken teeth, inflammatory reaction to plaque bacteria, tooth abscesses, and even oral cancer.


Plaque harbors bacteria, which can enter the blood stream through the large network of blood vessels located near the gums and teeth. Recent studies have documented certain heart, liver, and kidney diseases may be associated with this bacteria. In addition, some veterinary oncologists feel that in cats, squamous cell carcinoma, the most common oral cancer in felines, could be associated with chronically inflamed gums, which in turn, could result from inadequate dental care.


Preventative dental care, such as daily brushing and diets specifically made with dental health in mind, are great ways to ward off dental disease. Also, routine dental cleanings are a great way to make sure your pet stays healthy and happy!



New Year's Resolutions

It's the start of a new year, and people's thoughts often turn to diet and exercise, making up for holiday indulgences. Pets also suffer from overeating and lack of exercise, but there are more things to consider when it comes to being a good pet owner and animal lover. Here, in no particular order, are 10 tips to a healthier lifestyle for animals in need, and our own pets.


Exercise - Regular exercise has obvious health benefits, but it's also a great way to bond with our pets. A simple daily walk helps a dog learn proper manners, provides some good quality time, and does wonders for the human counterpart too. Keeping pets at the proper body weight reduces the risk of heart and joint problems, diabetes, and a host of other poor health conditions.


Health Check Up - A regular visit to your veterinarian is the best way to stay ahead of potential problems. Annual examinations of teeth, heart and lungs, and overall body condition will be less costly than waiting for a problem to develop, and your pet suffering needlessly from complications of preventable problems. Having a good "baseline" of information about your pet also gives the veterinarian something to compare against and determine exactly what is wrong when something isn't quite right with your pet.


Good Nutrition - Like humans, pets who eat poor quality food just don't have the same health reserves as those that eat a good balanced diet. Poor skin, hair coat, muscle tone, and obesity problems can be a result of a poor diet. Also, pets are not humans - a diet rich in table scraps is not a healthy one, and can lead to problems such as obesity and pancreatitis.


Good Grooming - No one wants to be around a stinky pet. Regular grooming-bathing, toenail trims, brushing out coats, parasite control-not only makes the pet more pleasing to be around, it is much healthier for the pet. For skin and coat problems that don't resolve with regular grooming, please see your veterinarian. There could be an underlying medical condition affecting the skin, coat, or toenails.


Safety - Keeping pets safe is something most pet owners take for granted. However, take a moment to assess the toxic chemicals used in your house and yard. Are they necessary? Are all safety precautions followed? Where are they stored? Can your pet access them? Think too about enclosures for pets - is the fencing secure? Can your pet get caught or hooked up on the fence, a tree, etc. and choke or be stuck out in the weather when you are away?


Information - Being informed is the best way to keep track of your pet's health and well-being. If possible, keep a medical log of your pet's vet visits, medications, special needs, etc. to help keep track of your pet's medical history. Knowing what is normal and not normal for your particular pet will assist your vet in figuring out what is wrong in case of illness. The internet contains a wealth of information, but caution is advised when seeking out a diagnosis or medical assistance via the web. Just as in real life, there is good information and bad information out there. The only way to get an answer/diagnosis is through a thorough physical examination, review of medical history, and possible lab work performed by your veterinarian.


Love and Attention - This is probably obvious, but too many pets are left outside in all kinds of weather, with very little human contact. Same goes for inside pets-those who are largely ignored for lack of time and busy human schedules. Take the time to focus on your pets and create/nourish that human-animal bond.


Maintenance - This refers to the more "unpleasant" aspects of pet care-the litter box scooping, yard clean up, cage cleaning, and fish tank maintenance. A clean environment for our pets is a healthy one! Poor sanitation can lead to behavior problems (i.e. litter box avoidance) and health problems such as skin infections and the spread of parasites. Many parasites can be zoonotic, meaning humans may become sick from them too.




For a limited time, we are carrying Pink and Blue Ribbon Premium Tuff Lock Collars and leashes in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Premium Tuff Lock will donate 10% of these sales to Susan G. Komen & The American Cancer Society. These collars and leashes have a lifetime warranty - come get yours today!


FDA Issues Alert on Online Veterinary Pharmacies

When it comes to purchasing veterinary drugs online, buyer beware, says a top official from the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine. In fact, in a consumer alert issued last month, Dr. Martine Hartogensis, director of FDA's Office of Surveillance and Compliance, says that while some websites selling veterinary drugs represent legitimate businesses, others do not.


In fact, FDA regulators have documented unscrupulous practices relating to the sale of unapproved and counterfeit pet drugs, dispensing of Rx drugs without a doctor's prescription, and sale of expired drugs.


And while the risk is present for consumers purchasing bogus, unapproved products through foreign and domestic pharmacies, the FDA is especially concerned that pet owners are going online to buy two types of commonly used prescription veterinary drugs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as Rimadyl, and heartworm preventives, such as Heartgard.


Both drugs can be dangerous if given without involvement of a licensed veterinarian. Without a valid veterinary client-patient relationship, the practice is dangerous. The consumer alert outlines the important role veterinarians play in evaluating the need, use and safe dosages of veterinary drugs for dogs and cats.


If consumers opt to use an Internet pharmacy, FDA wants them to pick a pharmacy accredited through the Association of Boards of Pharmacy's Vet-VIPPS (Veterinary Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site) program. Outsourced prescription management services used by veterinarians offer another credible pharmacy source, the FDA says.


DVM Magazine November 2010


East Side Animal Hospital recommends using VetSource if you wish to purchase products online. They provide home delivery of quality medications and prescriptions. Please scroll to the bottom of this page and click on their link to learn more.



Pet Safety for the Holidays

Christmas Tree - Securely anchor your tree so it doesn't tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water - which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset - from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea if they sneak a drink.


Decorations - Cats love tinsel, a light-catching "toy" that's easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It's best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.


Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Perhaps trying artificial plants made from silk or plastic that you can use every year, or choose a pet safe bouquet.


Don't leave lighted candles unattended. Pets can knock them over and cause a fire, or accidentally burn themselves.


New Year's Noise - As it gets close to the new year, keep in mind that loud noises from poppers, fire works, and yelling can terrify your pets. It's always a good idea to give them their own room, complete with fresh water, food, and a place to rest, away from the party. This way they can relax on their own while you entertain guests.


Toys

www.aspca.org



November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month

Pet Cancer Facts:

Pet cancer signs, as identified by the Veterinary Cancer Society:

1. Persistent, abnormal swelling
2. Sores that do not heal
3. Loss of weight
4. Loss of appetite
5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
6. Offensive odor
7. Difficulty eating or swallowing
8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
9. Persistent lameness or stiffness
10. Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

Just as in people, early detection is critical. This is why it is so important have your pet examined regularly. If your pet has any of these warning signs, visit your veterinarian as soon as possible for a complete exam.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

1. Resist giving your dog or cat different food than they would normally get. Feeding Thanksgiving dinner items to your pet can cause them unwanted abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. Foods high in sodium and fat can cause an inflammation of the pancreas.

2. Keep tasty food items well out of reach of your pet while you are away. You may be tempted to leave a pie cooling on the kitchen counter while you run an errand, only to find an empty pie plate and a very sick pet when you return.

3. Dispose of aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and wax paper from holiday foods. If your pet finds them, they will lick the food off foils and wraps. Swallowing these items could cause intestinal obstruction.

4. Secure your garbage. It only takes a minute for your little scavenger to get into the garbage and chow down whatever smells good-including the string used to tie the turkey which could become lodged in the digestive tract.

5. Turkey bones are dangerous for your pet. Any brittle, spiky bone could lodge in the esophagus or cause an irritation of his or her stomach or intestines. Harder bones can crack or chip teeth.

6. Maintain your pet's regular schedule for feeding and exercise. Minimizing the stress of a pet means being aware of his daily routine and expectations. Pay as much attention to your pet as you normally would so that they will not feel neglected or insecure.

7. Keep your pet home and away from parades or crowded celebrations. With large crowds and loud noises your pet can become stressed.

8. Provide a quiet refuge for your pet. With all the holiday festivities, your pet may need a "time out" from visiting friends and family. A comfortable crate is one solution, or an empty room where they can spend some time with themselves. Give your pet time and space to settle down or take a nap.

9. Make sure you have current microchip registration and identification tags on your pet. With guests coming in and out of your home it is very easy for a door to be left open and for your pet to wander off.


Halloween Safety Tips for Pet Owners

Halloween Safety Tips

1. No tricks, no treats: That bowlful of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for your pets. Chocolate in all forms could be dangerous to both dogs and cats, and tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed. If you suspect your pet has ingested a potentially dangerous substance, please call your veterinarian.

2. Popular Halloween plans such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively non-toxic, yet they can produce gastrointestinal upset should pets ingest them. Intestinal blockage may even occur if large pieces are ingested.

3. Keep wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet could experience damage to his mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

Halloween Safety Tips for Pet Owners4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but be careful if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

5. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside.

6. Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you.

7. Take a close look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not obstruct her vision in anyway. Even the sweetest animals can get snappy when they can’t see.


Is your pet a senior?

Is your pet a senior?

By age two, most dogs and cats have already reached adulthood. By the time they reach age four, they're considered middle-aged. At age seven, many dogs have already started their senior years. This is also true for cats, at age 10. Because dogs and cats age five to seven times faster than people, an annual visit to the veterinarian every year is equivalent to people seeing their physician or dentist every five to seven years! People want the best health care for themselves and their pets. And for senior dogs and cats, that means regular wellness exams every six months. Like humans, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.


It is our goal to help you and your pet manage their aging process. This includes weight management, blood and urine testing, vaccines, and bi-annual exams. Pets age much faster than humans, therefore medical changes can occur suddenly and without any advance warning. These changes can often surprise owners who wish they had been prepared or able to prevent some of the problems associated with normal pet aging. Preventive senior wellness is a step toward assuring a higher quality of life for your pet.


Call our office today to set up your pet’s senior wellness care!





Please follow this link to see how you can help prevent rabies transmission throughout the world...
http://www.worldrabiesday.org

10 Sweet Ideas for K-9 Summer Fun

10 Sweet Ideas for K-9 Summer Fun
  1. 5K Dog-friendly Race - Get fit and have fun with your dog at the same time. Just Google "5K races" for a list of races happening near you.
  2. Custom Paint-by-Number kits - Just upload a photo of you and your dog and send it to easy123art.com
  3. Get Some Culture - the AKC Museum of the Dog in St. Louis, MO houses over 700 works of art throughout the ages.
  4. Vacation at Carmel-By-the-Sea - Take your pup for a pampering vacation at this California dream destination for dogs, boasting dog-friendly inns, restaurants, and even an iconic "Fountain of Woof", a dogs-only drinking fountain.
  5. Hit the Hiking Trails - Nothing says summer like venturing into the great outdoors. Find out where dogs are allowed and what restrictions apply at bringfido.com, where you'll find listings for over 5000 dog-friendly trails worldwide.
  6. July is Dog House Repairs Month - Use this time to catch up on that doghouse maintenance you've been putting off. Renovate Fido's second story, add another room in the back, or simply repair any winter damage.
  7. Summer School! - Brush up on training and gain insight into how your own behavior cues your dog's - read Patricia McConnell's classic training book The Other End of the Leash.
  8. Outdoor Dog Wash - Gather all your pup pals together for an outdoor dog wash, with puppy pools, sponges, and buckets, to raise money for a local shelter.
  9. Start a Blog - Chronicle all the summer fun you and your dog are having. Just pick a catchy name and start posting. Two free sites to try are worpress.com and blogspot.com.
  10. Volunteer! - Get out into the community with your dog to do your part. From training Fluffy as a therapy dog, signing up Rex to participate in a reading program for kids, creating a fundraising block party for your local shelter or simply offering to walk your elderly neighbor's dog - the possibilities are endless!

Click on the links below to view some helpful 4th of July precautions for pets!

Fourth of July Safety Tips

Keep your pet safe on July 4th

Warm Weather Tips

Warm Weather Tips

Summer is a time for both you and your pet to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors, but along with the fun, the season also offers up situations that can endanger your pet. By taking precautions, you can decrease the chance of risk.


Here are some tips to keep in mind this summer:


Never Leave Your Pet in the Car


In nice weather you may be tempted to take your pet with you in the car while you travel or do errands. But during warm weather, the inside of your car can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, even if you're parked in the shade. This can mean real trouble for your companion animals left in the car. Dogs and cats cannot perspire, and can only dispel heat by panting and through the pads of their feet. Pets who are left in hot cars even briefly can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage, or death.


To avoid any chance that your pet will succumb to the heat of a car this summer, be sure to play it safe by leaving your pet cool and refreshed at home while you're driving around. And if you do happen to see a pet in a car alone during the hot summer months, call the local animal control officer or police department.


Don't Put Your Pet in the Back of a Truck


It is very dangerous, and in some states illegal, to drive with a dog in the back of a pick-up truck. Not only can flying debris cause serious injury, but a dog may be unintentionally thrown into traffic if the driver suddenly break, swerves, or is hit by another car. Dogs should ride either in the cab, or in a secured crate in the bed of the truck.


Travel Tips


If you plan on traveling with your pet during the summer, take the time to prepare for your furry friends in advance. Many airlines have summer pet embargoes, and most trains and ships do not allow pets other than service animals. Contact the airlines in advance to find out their rules and regulations regarding pets on flight.


Parasite Protection


Make sure your pet is on a veterinarian approved heartworm preventive. Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal in both dogs and cats. Another summertime threat is fleas and ticks. Use only treatments recommended by your veterinarian as some over-the-counter products can be toxic, even when used properly according to their instructions.


Water, Water, Everywhere


Pets and pools can equal disaster. Prevent free access to pools and always supervise a pet in a pool. Provide plenty of water and shade for your pets while they're enjoying the outdoors.


www.hsus.org

National Pet Week

World Veterinary Day

National Pet Week was jointly founded in 1981 by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Auxiliary to the AVMA, and is widely celebrated throughout the United States and other parts of the world. In 2010, National Pet Week is celebrated from May 2-8.


The goals of National Pet Week are to promote responsible pet ownership, celebrate the human-animal bond, and promote public awareness of veterinary medicine.

April 24, 2010 is World Veterinary Day

World Veterinary Day

THEME FOR THE YEAR 2010


One World, One Health: more cooperation between veterinarians and physicians


The much publicized concept "One World, One Health" indicates that the world has awakened to the link between animal diseases and public health.


It has long been known that 60% of known infectious diseases are common to humans and animals (whether domestic or wild); 75% of recent emerging human diseases came from animals and 80% of the pathogens that could potentially be used in bioterrorism are zoonotic. It is also known that human populations need a regular diet of protein particularly from milk, eggs or meat, and that a deficiency can also be a public health problem.


The unprecedented movement of commodities and people between nations provides opportunities for pathogens to spread and multiply. Further, climate change can enable pathogens to extend their range, notably through vectors, such as insects colonizing new areas that up until a few years ago were too cold for them to survive the winter.


The only way to minimize the impact of these new hazards is to adapt the existing systems of animal and public health governance at world, regional and national levels in a harmonized and coordinated manner. From the animal health perspective, "One World, One Health" should eventually lead all countries to make a firm commitment to establishing mechanisms for the early detection of disease outbreaks, as well as allowing rapid implementation, by veterinarians, of any required preventive or therapeutic measure directed to animals.


From the human health perspective, "One World, One Health" should induce all countries to adopt a united approach by veterinarians and human physicians for the control of zoonotic diseases, especially with regard to the prevention and post-exposure treatment of these diseases.

March 2010

Human foods dangerous to pets

Can you provide a list of foods and other items that if eaten will make a dog sick (diarrhea, vomiting, minor hives, etc.) or die. I don't have the Internet and would appreciate a written list if you can provide. Thank you Linda Blattenberger – Harrisburg

Dear Linda:
The most comprehensive information I've found has been compiled by experts at the ASPCA Poison Control Center. Below are the top eleven "people foods" they consider dangerous to pets. A few surprises here:

Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine
These products contain methylxanthines which, when ingested by pets, can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. The darker the chocolate (especially baking chocolate) the more lethal.

Alcohol
Beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.

Milk
Big surprise to cat owners! Because many pets, including most adult cats & dogs, are lactose intolerant, milk and other milk-based products can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset.

Salt
Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods (e.g. potato chips, pretzels, etc.) include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death.

Avocado
Avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart. Some ingestions may be fatal.

Macadamia Nuts
A common ingredient in cookies and candies, these nuts can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours.

Grapes & Raisins
Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure. In pets with pre-existing health problems, symptoms may be more dramatic.

Yeast Dough
Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet's digestive system which can cause the stomach or intestines to rupture. Because the risk diminishes after the dough is cooked, pets can have small bits of bread as treats.

Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones
Though raw diets have gained popularity, raw meat and raw eggs can contain Salmonella and E coli bacteria. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems. Raw bones can be dangerous for a domestic pet, who might choke or sustain a grave injury should the bone splinter and become lodged in the pet's digestive tract. Cooked bones even more likely to splinter

Xylitol
A sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste, Xylitol can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to recumbancy and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can occur within a few days.

Onions, Garlic, Chives
These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed. An occasional low dose likely will not cause a problem, but do NOT feed pets large quantities of these foods.

For more information on plants, foods, and household products poisonous to pets visit the ASPCA Poison Control Center or call 1-888-426-4435. If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxin, try to determine what and how much, then call your veterinarian immediately. Contact Karen Steinrock at ksteinrock@comcast.net