Chocolate toxicity

A few notes from Dr Grafinger:

Chocolate toxicity usually occurs during the holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter) when pets are exposed or fed a variety of chocolate containing products. It is among the 20 most common toxicities which occur in veterinary medicine. The toxicity occurs more commonly in dogs and almost never in our feline companions. Cats are more particular about what they eat. Dogs tend to consume large quantities of unusual foods quickly.

Common products containing cocoa include: candy, cakes, cookies, brownies, baking supplies, and cocoa bean mulches.

In general the lighter colored chocolate products (e.g. White chocolate) are less toxic, and darker products are more toxic (e.g. Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate). The toxic compounds in chocolate are methylxanthine alkaloids which include caffeine and theobromine. White chocolate contains 0.05 g/kg of theobromine, and baking chocolate contains 16 g/kg theobromine. Many chocolate products have a high fat content which can precipitate pancreatitis as well.

Toxic doses according to ASPCA Animal Control Center are as follows:
Mild signs occur in dogs ingesting 20 mg/kg.
Severe signs are seen with ingestion of 40-50 mg/kg
Seizures can occur with a dose of 60mg/kg
Death can occur with 100-200 mg/kg

Big news for cat rescue groups

Raleigh man leaves nearly $1.7 million estate to cat charities
Emil Campbell

Posted: Oct. 28 11:02 p.m.
Updated: Today at 5:20 a.m.

Raleigh, N.C. — A Raleigh cat-lover has left his nearly $1.7 million estate to area feline charities.

“He was very fond of cats and animals,” attorney Bobby Khot, with Wills Trusts and Estates, said of client Emil Campbell.

Khot said Campbell, who died suddenly last month, designated four cat charities to share his estate.

“It was like a gift from heaven,” said Lynn Jernigan, with Snowflake Animal Rescue. “I couldn't believe it. I opened the letter and I had to read it twice.”

Jernigan said her rescue group gets less than $6,000 a year in donations. The volunteer organization doesn’t even have a building of its own. However, the generous gift from Campbell could change that.

“We could certainly become a much larger rescue group if we had the facility,” Jernigan said.

“It's going to make a pretty big difference across the board, hopefully in the community here, especially,” said Carol De Olloqui, with Marley's Cat Tales.

Marley's Cat Tales, another group that provides health care and homes for cats, was also named a benefactor of Campbell's estate.

“A donation like this will allow us to spay or neuter as many animals as possible and make a difference in alleviating the problem of overpopulation,” Olloqui said.

SAFE Haven for Cats will also get a share of the money from Campbell.

In addition to the three main beneficiaries, Campbell also left money to Second Chance Pet Adoptions. The rescue group wasn’t aware yet of how much money it would receive, but said any amount was greatly appreciated.

“(He was) very frugal. He didn't work a job that paid him a lot of money, but he pinched his pennies and he saved his money,” Khot said of Campbell.

Campbell had one surviving daughter. Khot said she was not thrilled with the will, but a family friend said Campbell took care of his daughter outside of his estate.

Source

People aren't the only ones facing the flu

First identified in 2003 in Florida, a canine influenza identified as H3N8 is now widespread, with documented occurrences in 30 states and the District of Columbia. Because this is a newly emerging pathogen, all dogs, regardless of breed or age, are susceptible to infection and have no naturally acquired or vaccine-induced immunity when first exposed to the virus. The good news is that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has approved a new vaccine. Be sure to ask your regular veterinarian for more information.

More information

Butterfly ears?

A new study about how butterfly ears work!

CPR?

Fifty-eight percent of pet owners — 63 percent of dog owners and 53 percent of cat owners — would be at least somewhat likely to perform CPR on their pet in the event of a medical emergency, according to an Associated Press-Petside.com poll.

Source

For more information on pet first aid, check out the Red Cross website.

Where does the blood come from?

Has your pet had an illness that required a transfusion? Have you ever wondered where the blood comes from? Have you wondered what's involved in the cost?

Canine blood products are commercially available from organizations that maintain colonies of donor dogs that have been carefully screened for diseases that can transmitted through blood products:

• Canine brucellosis
• Borrelia burgdoferi (Lyme Disease)
• Dirofilaria immitus (heartworm disease)
• Ehrlichia canis
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Coccidioides immitus
• Babesia canis
• Babesia gibsoni
• Plasma levels of von Willebrand factor

Cat blood is not readily available commercially, so any cat blood given at our facility has been collected in our "in-house" blood bank. Members of our staff have volunteered their own pets for donation, and after a through health screening, they are placed on a "donation rotation".
To meet donation requirements, cats:

• Must be fairly friendly and like to be around people
• Must weigh over 10 pounds (without being overweight)
• Must be current on vaccinations
• Must be healthy and not receiving any medications other than heartworm, flea, and tick preventive
• Must be indoor-only, and all companion housemate cats must be indoor and negative for feline leukemia or kitty FIV
• Cannot be exposed to any other cats (no fostering or pet-sitting of other cats)
• Cannot have a heart murmur
• Must be between 2 years and 6 years old when entering the program
• Must have never received a blood transfusion nor been pregnant

If they meet these standards, then further tests are run:

• Chemistry panel
• Complete blood count
• Feline leukemia virus
• Feline immunosuppressive virus
• Hemobartonella
• Toxoplasma
• Blood type
• Thyroid panel

When it has been determined that your pet requires a transfusion, it must them be typed and cross matched. The donor blood is delivered to your pet through an IV pump that has been approved for blood products, through a line that includes a filter, and then through a catheter that has been placed in the pet. A carefully calculated volume of blood is delivered at a carefully calculated rate, and during the process and for hours later, the patient is observed closely for any type of transfusion reaction.

As you can see, blood transfusions are an involved but often life saving tool in our arsenal. Triangle Veterinary Emergency Clinic would like to acknowledge and thank the staff members who have volunteered their pets to undergo this process for the good of our patients!

Too much waste?

Have you ever wondered what to do with your pet waste? Here and here are great sites for information on pet waste composting!

Tax breaks for pet owners?

Take a look at NPR's story about Republican Rep. Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan sponsoring a bill that would allow pet owners to deduct animal care expenses from their taxes.

Submit your photos!

It's that time again - time to embarrass your pets!

Send in your Halloween pet photos and we'll help with the public humiliation by posting them on our blog. Be sure to include your pets name and any other information that you'd like included. Our e-mail address is Trianglevec@yahoo.com.

And don't forget, keep the chocolate far away from the four legged kids!

Upsetting our world view!

Christopher Meehan of Villanova University in Pennsylvania has discovered a species of spider that eats acacia leaves. This is the first confirmed example of a spider that feeds primarily on plant matter.

Acacia plants have a fascinating mutually beneficial relationship with ants - resident ants will fiercely attack any potential marauders (such as caterpillars and browsers) that may harm the plant. In return, the plant supplies a home in large, hollow thorns and uses specialized glands to produce a sugary food for the ants.

This amazing spider has not only developed the ability to survive off of plant matter, he must also avoid these "vicious, biting ants". What an amazing world!

October 11-17 is National Veterinary Technician Week

Veterinary Technicians are a vital part of your pet's health care team. Read here and here for information about what they do and how much they care.

From our friends at Pet Poison Helpline

Pet Poison Helpline Offers List of Fall Toxins to Keep Pets Safe: Tips on seasonal foods and common household items that can put your pet at risk

The start of fall brings new seasonal household items that pose a threat to the safety of our pets. These common household items can cause serious problems if ingested by animals. Here is the list of seasonal products that the veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline recommend keeping away from pets.

• Mothballs: While you may think these white balls are benign, they are not. Mothballs typically contain either paradichlorobenzene or naphthalene. While the old fashioned mothballs (naphthalene) are often considered more toxic, both can be deadly. Symptoms include vomiting, severe abdominal pain, tremors, weakness, possible kidney or liver failure, and severe abnormality of your pet’s red blood cells.

• Mushrooms: While most mushrooms are generally non-toxic, certain types can be very dangerous. One of the most dangerous is the Amanita phalloides or death cap mushroom which is found throughout the United States. The proper identification of mushrooms is extremely difficult and often only done by experts. Therefore, it is wise to consider all ingestions of unidentified mushrooms as toxic until proven otherwise. Depending on what type of mushroom is ingested, symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, depression, tremors, and seizures, with liver and kidney damage occurring later. Pet owners should scour their yard frequently to get rid of any mushrooms.

• Antifreeze: As people prepare their boats, cars or cabins for winter, pets may inadvertently be exposed to antifreeze. As little as one teaspoon in a cat or a tablespoon or two for dogs, depending on the size of animal, can be fatal. Signs of early poisoning include acting drunk or uncoordinated, excessive thirst, and lethargy. While signs may seem to improve after eight to twelve hours, internal damage is actually worsening, and crystals develop in the kidneys, which result in acute kidney failure. Immediate treatment with an antidote is vital.

• Mouse and rat poisons (rodenticides): As you prepare to winterize your garage, cabin, or house, make sure to place poisonous baits in areas where your pet cannot reach them (i.e., high up on shelves, hidden behind work spaces, etc.). “Rodenticides also pose the potential for relay toxicity,” said Dr. Ahna Brutlag, assistant director of veterinary services at Pet Poison Helpline. “In other words, if your dog eats a bunch of dead mice poisoned by rodenticides, they can experience secondary effects.” Because there are several different types of chemicals in mouse and rat poisons, all with different active ingredients and types of action, it is imperative to keep your pets away from all of these potentially dangerous poisons.
  

• Compost bins or piles: Piles of decomposing and decaying organic matter and molding food products in your backyard compost pile have the potential to contain ‘tremorgenic mycotoxins’, meaning molds which cause tremors. Even small amounts ingested can result in tremors or seizures within 30 minutes to several hours.

• Red maple leaves: Horse lovers, beware. As little as one pound of dried maple leaves blowing into your horse’s pasture can be toxic. When ingested, these leaves result in a severe hemolytic anemia – it causes red blood cells to rupture, causing weakness, pale gums, an elevated heart rate and shock.

The best thing any pet owner can do is to be educated on common household toxins, and to make sure you pet-proof your house appropriately. Make sure to keep all these products in labeled, tightly-sealed containers out of your pet’s reach. When in doubt, if you think your pet has been poisoned, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680 with any questions or concerns.

About Pet Poison Helpline
Pet Poison Helpline is a service available 24 hours, seven days a week for pet owners, veterinarians and vet techs that require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. Staff can provide treatment advice for poisoning cases of all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline’s fee of $35 per incident includes follow-up consultation for the duration of the poison case. Pet Poison Helpline is available in North America by calling 800-213-6680.

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Do you think they're spoiled?

Think you spoil your pets? Check out these pet mansions!

What's the matter, cat got your tongue?

Let me introduce you to Bernice, a thirteen year old cat that was referred by her regular veterinarian to my care this summer. As a veterinary specialist, I often see cases that need specialized diagnostic tests (ultrasound, endoscopy) and critical care. Bernice was not eating, and she was vomiting and swallowing in an exaggerated manner. And, oh by the way, Bernice had lost her meow. She would open her mouth and try to meow, but nothing came out. Quite the opposite of the old saying – cat’s got your tongue. Something was wrong with Bernice and she needed help. Her owner was concerned that something might be stuck in her throat, which was a definite possibility given the sudden onset of her concerns. We also had to consider that there might be a tumor or other abnormal growth in her throat.

Basic x-rays of her neck and chest did not reveal any problems. She was sedated and an endoscope (a small camera used to examine various areas of the body) was used to look in the dark recesses of her mouth, windpipe and throat. Lo and behold, just above the roof of her mouth, was a blade of grass. Bernice, being a cat who loved going outside for her daily constitutionals, had eaten some grass and apparently vomited the grass, as animals will do. Unfortunately for Bernice, a large blade of grass had lodged itself above the roof of her mouth and caused her distress. She had lost her voice and appetite because of this one piece of grass. Within minutes of discovery, the blade of grass was extracted. No damage to her throat was noted. She recovered well from anesthesia and she is back home, meowing again and hopefully avoiding grass as part of her diet.

Cindy Stubbs, DVM, MS, DACVIM