Things to never let a dog eat...

[Scott M]

I knew chocolate and heard about raisins, but here's a new one from Bob St. Pierre's Club Outdoors Blog on Star Tribune:

Quote:

Did you know a pack of chewing gum could kill your bird dog?

I had never heard of such a scenario until receiving a forwarded USA Today article about the toxicity of chewing gum ingredient xylitol, from Paul Hanson, a member of Pheasants Forever's National Board of Directors. Worried this article was mythical internet propaganda, I forwarded the story along to PF's regional field rep for Ohio, Charlie Payne, whose father is a renowned doctor of veterinary medicine.

Here is Dr. John Payne's response:

The information you got on xylitol is correct and it is very dangerous to dogs. If xylitol is the first ingredient on the label, a single stick of gum can be very serious for dogs. The first symptom of toxicity is low blood sugar and the symptoms would be weakness and even seizures. At higher doses, dogs can go into liver failure.

As I said before, a single stick of gum could be toxic to most dogs and an entire pack (the usual for most dogs) would be very serious indeed and possibly fatal. If someone knows their dog has ingested candy or gum with xylitol, they should seek medical attention for the dog immediately.

Clinical signs will be seen generally within 12 hours of ingestion, but could be much quicker with higher doses. Any dog that has weakness or seizures associated with a low blood sugar could be a xylitol victim.

I would also remind people to be aware of the toxicity of raisins and grapes to their bird dogs. Raisins and grapes can cause acute kidney failure in dogs. If your dog gets into either, medical attention should be sought at once. Hope this helps. John Payne DVM, MS, DACVS

I was certainly aware of chocolate's toxicity to dogs, but gum, raisins and grapes were new to me. How about you, has your bird dog pup ever had a problem involving xylitol?

[Ice Shack Baby]

Another item dogs should not have is ibuprofen.

[pureinsanity]

Trident gum has that ingredient. My dog use to eat my gum I always spit out, now I don't spit it out anymore.

[MichaelSwan]

My dog has discovered carrots from last years garden, they love them and are good for them.

[CJH]

Here is a pretty good list:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=1030

[nofishfisherman]

My dog has discovered carrots from last years garden, they love them and are good for them.

My dog loves carrots almost as much as he loves broccoli. If you are in the kitchen making a salad he is sitting right next to you hoping someone falls off the counter.

If I stuff his kong with chunks of broccoli stems he's a happy camper.