Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Cat inteference
I finally got around to making the wooden ends I need to replace two strings on my wire strung harp. I misplaced the ones that were on the broken strings. I had the help of three cats, Parpar, Clara, and Cookie. I had to saw two pieces from a thin wooden dowel. I placed the dowel on a hard surface (my speaker) and started sawing. Tricky at first but I was getting it. It wasn't long before Parpar was t the end of the saw trying to eat it, then Clara and Cookie was at the other nd of the dowel trying to play with it. At least they weren't fighting. That's an improvement in that area. Then thy rotated and Cookie was trying to eat the saw and Parpar and Clara was at the other end. Amazingly I managed to get it done.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Trivia & Facts about Domestic Cats
Trivia & Facts about Domestic Cats -posted by Arleine/Lillian
-The normal body temperature of a cat is 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Blue eyed white colored cats are quite often born deaf. This is because the gene that gives them their white coat is connected to deafness. Interestingly, white cats with only one blue eye are deaf only in the ear closest to the blue eye. White cats with orange eyes do not have this disability.
- Cats with white feet are often mistakenly called "Boots." This differently- colored paw condition is referred to as "gloves" by those in the know. (My husband calls them sugar shoes)
- The highest percentage of a cat's bones are in its tail.
- A cat has 245 bones in its body, but as they grow older some of the bones fuse and the number becomes smaller.
- Cats have 30 teeth. Kittens have baby teeth which, around seven months, are replaced with permanent fangs.
- A cat spends about 30% of its life grooming itself.
- An old barber shop tonic called Bay Rum makes an excellent skin toner for cats, adding sheen to their coats, and they like the smell. (Now I gotta buy some)
- A cat's hearing is among the sharpest in the animal kingdom.
- A cat can recognize its owner's foot steps from hundreds of feet away.
- A cat's eyes shine at night due to a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidium, which contains tiny crystal like reflective properties. So, when light hits a cat's eyes it bounces back and makes it look as though the cat's eyes are glowing.
- The life expectancy for a cat was 8 years in 1930. Today, that number has doubled to 16 years.
- Cats have five toes on each front paw, but only four toes on each back paw. Cats are sometimes born with extra toes. This is called polydactyl. These toes will not harm the cat, but you should keep his claws trimmed just like any toe.
- Cats have true fur, in that they have both an undercoat and an outer coat.
- Newborn kittens have closed ear canals that don't begin to open for nine days. When the eyes open, they are always blue at first. They change color over a period of months to the final eye color. Most cats have no eyelashes.
- Cats have a full inner-eyelid, or nictitating membrane. This inner-eyelid serves to help protect the eyes from dryness and damage. When the cat is ill, the inner-eyelid will frequently close partially, making it visible to the observer.
- A cat cannot see directly under its nose. This is why the cat cannot seem to find tidbits on the floor.
- You can tell a cat's mood by looking into its eyes. A frightened or excited cat will have large, round pupils. An angry cat will have narrow pupils. The pupil size is related as much to the cat's emotions as to the degree of light. (Birds too)
- It is a common belief that cats are color blind. However, recent studies have shown that cats can see blue, green and red.
- Yes, cats can get sunburned. Cats with white fur and skin on their ears are very prone to sunburn. Frequent sunburns can lead to skin cancer. Many white cats need surgery to remove all or part of a cancerous ear. Preventive measures include sunscreen, or better, keeping the cat indoors.
- Cats must have fat in their diet because they can't produce it on their own.
- The gene in cats that causes the orange coat color is sexed linked, and is on the X sex chromosome. This gene may display orange or black. Thus, as female cat with two X chromosomes may have orange and black colors in its coat. A male, with only one X chromosome, can have only orange or black, not both. If a male cat is both orange and black it is (besides being extremely rare) almost always sterile. To have both the orange and the black coat colors, the male cat must have all or part of both female X chromosomes. This unusual sex chromosome combination will render the male cat sterile.
- Cats do not think that they are little people. They think that we are big cats. This influences their behavior in many ways.
- Purring does not always mean happiness. Purring could mean a cat is in terrible pain such as during childbirth. Kittens will purr to their mother to let her know they are getting enough milk while nursing. Purring is a process of inhaling and exhaling, usually performed while the mouth is closed. But don't worry, if your cat is purring while you're gently petting her and holding her close to you, that is a happy cat!
-The normal body temperature of a cat is 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Blue eyed white colored cats are quite often born deaf. This is because the gene that gives them their white coat is connected to deafness. Interestingly, white cats with only one blue eye are deaf only in the ear closest to the blue eye. White cats with orange eyes do not have this disability.
- Cats with white feet are often mistakenly called "Boots." This differently- colored paw condition is referred to as "gloves" by those in the know. (My husband calls them sugar shoes)
- The highest percentage of a cat's bones are in its tail.
- A cat has 245 bones in its body, but as they grow older some of the bones fuse and the number becomes smaller.
- Cats have 30 teeth. Kittens have baby teeth which, around seven months, are replaced with permanent fangs.
- A cat spends about 30% of its life grooming itself.
- An old barber shop tonic called Bay Rum makes an excellent skin toner for cats, adding sheen to their coats, and they like the smell. (Now I gotta buy some)
- A cat's hearing is among the sharpest in the animal kingdom.
- A cat can recognize its owner's foot steps from hundreds of feet away.
- A cat's eyes shine at night due to a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidium, which contains tiny crystal like reflective properties. So, when light hits a cat's eyes it bounces back and makes it look as though the cat's eyes are glowing.
- The life expectancy for a cat was 8 years in 1930. Today, that number has doubled to 16 years.
- Cats have five toes on each front paw, but only four toes on each back paw. Cats are sometimes born with extra toes. This is called polydactyl. These toes will not harm the cat, but you should keep his claws trimmed just like any toe.
- Cats have true fur, in that they have both an undercoat and an outer coat.
- Newborn kittens have closed ear canals that don't begin to open for nine days. When the eyes open, they are always blue at first. They change color over a period of months to the final eye color. Most cats have no eyelashes.
- Cats have a full inner-eyelid, or nictitating membrane. This inner-eyelid serves to help protect the eyes from dryness and damage. When the cat is ill, the inner-eyelid will frequently close partially, making it visible to the observer.
- A cat cannot see directly under its nose. This is why the cat cannot seem to find tidbits on the floor.
- You can tell a cat's mood by looking into its eyes. A frightened or excited cat will have large, round pupils. An angry cat will have narrow pupils. The pupil size is related as much to the cat's emotions as to the degree of light. (Birds too)
- It is a common belief that cats are color blind. However, recent studies have shown that cats can see blue, green and red.
- Yes, cats can get sunburned. Cats with white fur and skin on their ears are very prone to sunburn. Frequent sunburns can lead to skin cancer. Many white cats need surgery to remove all or part of a cancerous ear. Preventive measures include sunscreen, or better, keeping the cat indoors.
- Cats must have fat in their diet because they can't produce it on their own.
- The gene in cats that causes the orange coat color is sexed linked, and is on the X sex chromosome. This gene may display orange or black. Thus, as female cat with two X chromosomes may have orange and black colors in its coat. A male, with only one X chromosome, can have only orange or black, not both. If a male cat is both orange and black it is (besides being extremely rare) almost always sterile. To have both the orange and the black coat colors, the male cat must have all or part of both female X chromosomes. This unusual sex chromosome combination will render the male cat sterile.
- Cats do not think that they are little people. They think that we are big cats. This influences their behavior in many ways.
- Purring does not always mean happiness. Purring could mean a cat is in terrible pain such as during childbirth. Kittens will purr to their mother to let her know they are getting enough milk while nursing. Purring is a process of inhaling and exhaling, usually performed while the mouth is closed. But don't worry, if your cat is purring while you're gently petting her and holding her close to you, that is a happy cat!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
I got this from the Lillian group.
Recently someone had to have their 5-year old German Shepherd dog put down due to liver failure. The dog was completely healthy until a few weeks ago, so they had a necropsy done to see what the cause was. The liver levels were unbelievable, as if the dog had ingested poison of some kind. The dog is kept inside, and when he's outside, someone's with him, so the idea of him getting into something unknown was hard to believe.
My neighbor started going through all the items in the house. When he got to the Swiffer Wetjet, he noticed, in very tiny print, a warning which stated 'may be harmful to small children and animals.' He called the company to ask what the contents of the cleaning agent are and was astounded to find out that antifreeze is one of the ingredients (actually, he was told it's a compound which is one molecule away from antifreeze). Therefore, just by the dog walking on the floor cleaned with the solution, then licking its own paws, it ingested enough of the solution to destroy its liver.
Soon after his dog's death, his housekeepers' two cats also died of liver failure. They both used the Swiffer Wetjet for quick cleanups on their floors. Necropsies weren't done on the cats, so they couldn't file a lawsuit, but he asked that we spread the word to as many people as possible so they don't lose their animals.
This is equally harmful to babies and small children that play on the floor a lot and put their fingers in their mouths a lot.
Recently someone had to have their 5-year old German Shepherd dog put down due to liver failure. The dog was completely healthy until a few weeks ago, so they had a necropsy done to see what the cause was. The liver levels were unbelievable, as if the dog had ingested poison of some kind. The dog is kept inside, and when he's outside, someone's with him, so the idea of him getting into something unknown was hard to believe.
My neighbor started going through all the items in the house. When he got to the Swiffer Wetjet, he noticed, in very tiny print, a warning which stated 'may be harmful to small children and animals.' He called the company to ask what the contents of the cleaning agent are and was astounded to find out that antifreeze is one of the ingredients (actually, he was told it's a compound which is one molecule away from antifreeze). Therefore, just by the dog walking on the floor cleaned with the solution, then licking its own paws, it ingested enough of the solution to destroy its liver.
Soon after his dog's death, his housekeepers' two cats also died of liver failure. They both used the Swiffer Wetjet for quick cleanups on their floors. Necropsies weren't done on the cats, so they couldn't file a lawsuit, but he asked that we spread the word to as many people as possible so they don't lose their animals.
This is equally harmful to babies and small children that play on the floor a lot and put their fingers in their mouths a lot.
Friday, April 24, 2009
AN OLD MAN AND HIS CAT
He felt so bad when the old cat died,
Well, at least, he thought it had died,
It disappeared in the dark one night,
And never returned to his side.
He never admitted how much that cat meant,
Not really a man-thing to do,
But, widowed now and alone in the house,
A rapport came about for the two.
It was the woman's job to care for the cat,
To brush it and see it was fed,
A bit of a nuisance, it seemed to the man,
But he never wished the cat dead.
The cat once brought a mouse in the house,
Which escaped and ran loose in the place,
But the havoc it wrought was shortly forgot,
When erased by the cat's smiling face.
The man couldn't remember at night which was right,
Should the cat come in or go out?
He solved his dilemma with a hole in his door,
Then lost track of the cat's whereabouts.
At the market, he learned, he wasn't too sure
Of what kind of cat food to buy,
The tiny, round tins or the big, flat cans,
And no way to clarify.
He'd go, "Eeeny, meeny, miney, mo"
To help with his decision,
One thing, for sure, the cat never starved,
Or was hurt by malnutrition.
Sometimes at night the man sat in his chair,
And dozed while watching T V,
The cat sat on his feet - not on his lap,
Cause that's where it wanted to be.
When the man went to bed, the cat went outside,
But returned to the house before morn,
It then curled up at the foot of the bed,
And kept the man's feet nice and warm.
But one morning the old cat didn't come back,
The man called and searched in vain,
It simply had disappeared in the night,
And never was seen again.
The man was sad; he missed the cat,
Though he never admitted he cared,
But he couldn't go in or out, it seemed,
Without glancing about everywhere.
The man then decided that was enough,
No more cats for him from hereon,
Nuisances, headaches, flea-ridden pests,
And worthless old vagabonds.
But nights when he sat and dozed in his chair,
And then crawled into his bed to sleep,
He was fully aware no cat was there,
To warm up his icy cold feet.
Then, late one night, sometime before morn,
As he fitfully slept in his bed,
He felt the bed shake. Good Grief! An earthquake?
And he pulled his quilt over his head.
While cringing in fear, a cold sweat appeared,
And like ice, his poor feet had become,
Then came big bumps and thumps on the bed,
That scared him so much he grew numb..
When things settled down, he peeked out and around,
And he saw, to his great surprise,
The cat had come back ... with six kittens intact,
And brought them to him as a prize.
"Good Grief!" he thought,"What an awful lot!
What shall I do with them?"
He soon discovered they made warm covers,
And his feet never were cold again.
How apropos for cold tootsies and toes,
Plus, an extra cat for a lap,
What a pur-r-fect end to a tale of woe,
About an old man and his cat.
Virginia (Ginny) Ellis
Copyright October 2002
Well, at least, he thought it had died,
It disappeared in the dark one night,
And never returned to his side.
He never admitted how much that cat meant,
Not really a man-thing to do,
But, widowed now and alone in the house,
A rapport came about for the two.
It was the woman's job to care for the cat,
To brush it and see it was fed,
A bit of a nuisance, it seemed to the man,
But he never wished the cat dead.
The cat once brought a mouse in the house,
Which escaped and ran loose in the place,
But the havoc it wrought was shortly forgot,
When erased by the cat's smiling face.
The man couldn't remember at night which was right,
Should the cat come in or go out?
He solved his dilemma with a hole in his door,
Then lost track of the cat's whereabouts.
At the market, he learned, he wasn't too sure
Of what kind of cat food to buy,
The tiny, round tins or the big, flat cans,
And no way to clarify.
He'd go, "Eeeny, meeny, miney, mo"
To help with his decision,
One thing, for sure, the cat never starved,
Or was hurt by malnutrition.
Sometimes at night the man sat in his chair,
And dozed while watching T V,
The cat sat on his feet - not on his lap,
Cause that's where it wanted to be.
When the man went to bed, the cat went outside,
But returned to the house before morn,
It then curled up at the foot of the bed,
And kept the man's feet nice and warm.
But one morning the old cat didn't come back,
The man called and searched in vain,
It simply had disappeared in the night,
And never was seen again.
The man was sad; he missed the cat,
Though he never admitted he cared,
But he couldn't go in or out, it seemed,
Without glancing about everywhere.
The man then decided that was enough,
No more cats for him from hereon,
Nuisances, headaches, flea-ridden pests,
And worthless old vagabonds.
But nights when he sat and dozed in his chair,
And then crawled into his bed to sleep,
He was fully aware no cat was there,
To warm up his icy cold feet.
Then, late one night, sometime before morn,
As he fitfully slept in his bed,
He felt the bed shake. Good Grief! An earthquake?
And he pulled his quilt over his head.
While cringing in fear, a cold sweat appeared,
And like ice, his poor feet had become,
Then came big bumps and thumps on the bed,
That scared him so much he grew numb..
When things settled down, he peeked out and around,
And he saw, to his great surprise,
The cat had come back ... with six kittens intact,
And brought them to him as a prize.
"Good Grief!" he thought,"What an awful lot!
What shall I do with them?"
He soon discovered they made warm covers,
And his feet never were cold again.
How apropos for cold tootsies and toes,
Plus, an extra cat for a lap,
What a pur-r-fect end to a tale of woe,
About an old man and his cat.
Virginia (Ginny) Ellis
Copyright October 2002
Monday, April 20, 2009
Dangerous Foods: Are They Harmful to Your Cat?
Dangerous Foods: Are They Harmful to Your Cat?
Americans spend over $10 billion dollars on pet food for our pets. Despite buying the best food available, some pets would rather eat what we eat. However, certain foods can be dangerous to your pet causing varying degrees of illness. Some food is toxic due to ingredients and some by improper cooking, storage or poor hygiene.
Alcoholic Beverages. Ethanol is the component in alcoholic beverages that can be toxic when an excessive amount is ingested. Pets are much smaller than us and can be highly affected by small amounts of alcohol. Exercise caution when drinks and pets are together. Toxicity can cause a wide variety of signs, and may even cause death. Signs can include odor of alcohol on the animal's breath, staggering, behavioral changes, excitement, depression, increased urination, slowed respiratory rate or cardiac arrest and death.
Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches and Plums. Ingestion of large amounts of stems, seeds and leaves of these fruits can be toxic. They contain a cyanide type compound and signs of toxicity include apprehension, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation and shock.
Avocados. The leaves, fruit, bark and seeds of avocados have all been reported to be toxic. The toxic component in the avocado is "persin," which is a fatty acid derivative. Symptoms of toxicity include difficulty breathing, abdominal enlargement, abnormal fluid accumulations in the chest, abdomen and sac around the heart. The amount that needs to be ingested to cause signs is unknown. Do not feed your pet any component of the avocado.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda. Baking soda and baking powder are both leavening agents. A leavening agent is a common ingredient in baked goods that produces a gas causing batter and dough to rise. Baking soda is simply sodium bicarbonate. Baking powder actually consists of baking soda and an acid, usually cream of tartar, calcium acid phosphate, sodium aluminum sulfate or a mixture of the three. Ingestion of large amounts of baking soda or baking powder can lead to electrolyte abnormalities (low potassium, low calcium and/or high sodium), congestive heart failure or muscle spasms.
Chocolate. Chocolate, in addition to having a high fat content, contains caffeine and theobromine. These two compounds are nervous system stimulants and can be toxic to your dog in high amounts. The levels of caffeine and theobromine vary between different types of chocolate. For example, white chocolate has the lowest concentration of stimulants and baking chocolate or cacao beans have the highest concentration.
Depending on the type of chocolate ingested and the amount eaten, various problems can occur. The high fat content in chocolate may result in vomiting and possibly diarrhea. Once toxic levels are eaten, the stimulant effect becomes apparent. You may notice restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination and possibly excessive panting. Heart rate and blood pressure levels may also be increased. Seizure activity may occur in severe cases.
Coffee (grounds and beans). Dogs that eat coffee grounds or beans can get "caffeine" toxicity. The symptoms are very similar to those of chocolate toxicity and can be just as or even more serious.
Fatty Foods. Rich and fatty food are favorites of dogs. They often get them as treats, leftovers or from getting into the trash. These fatty foods can cause pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can affect any pet but miniature or toy poodles, cocker spaniels and miniature schnauzers are particularly prone. Signs of pancreatitis generally include an acute onset of vomiting, sometimes diarrhea and abdominal pain. Abdominal pain is often evidenced by hunched posture or "splinting" of the abdomen when picked up. The dog may become very sick quickly and often needs intensive fluid and antibiotic therapy.
Dairy Products. Dairy products are not highly dangerous but can pose problems for two reasons. One is their high fat content and like other foods with high fat content, there is a risk of pancreatitis. The second reason is that pets poorly digest dairy products since they lack the enzyme required to digest lactose. This affects some pets more than others causing gas to diarrhea. Small amounts of plain yogurt or cheese are tolerated by most dogs but it is probably safest to avoid dairy products altogether.
Grapes and Raisins. So far, about 10 dogs poisoned by grapes and raisins have been officially reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. The amount of grapes or raisins ingested has been between 9 ounces to 2 pounds, and dogs ingesting these large amounts have developed kidney failure. Aggressive, and sometimes prolonged, treatment may be necessary to give the affected dog a chance at survival; without treatment death is possible. Despite testing, the reason for the kidney failure and the amount necessary for toxicity remains unknown. For now, any dog that ingests large amounts of grapes or raisins should be treated aggressively, so contact your veterinarian immediately if ingestion has occurred.
Macadamia Nuts. Macadamia nuts, also called the Queensland nut or Australia nut, can be toxic. The mechanism behind why these nuts are toxic is a mystery. However, it has been noted that as few as six to forty nuts in dogs have caused severe toxic signs. Dogs develop weakness, depression, vomiting, difficulty walking, tremors, abdominal pain, lameness, stiffness and/or pale gums. The signs usually dissipate in 12 to 24 hrs.
Moldy or Spoiled Food. Dogs love to get into the trash. A medical problem arises when the trash contains moldy or spoiled food. In addition to food poisoning, some pets can develop tremors related to the ingestion of certain molds.
Nutmeg. You may not realized this but high levels of nutmeg can be toxic, even fatal. The toxic principle is not well understood. Signs of toxicity include tremors, seizures, nervous system abnormalities or death.
Onions or Garlic. Dogs and cats lack the enzyme necessary to properly digest onions and this could result in gas, vomiting, diarrhea or severe gastrointestinal distress. If large amounts of onion or garlic are ingested or onions are a daily part of your dog's diet, the red blood cells may become fragile and break apart. This is due to the toxic ingredient in onions and garlic, thiosulphate. Signs can begin immediately after eating the onion or a few days later. Large quantities of garlic need to be ingested before signs of toxicity are seen. Severe anemias and even death can occur if the dog ingests lots of onions or garlic and receives no treatment.
All forms of onion and garlic are a problem. This includes raw, dehydrated, cooked, powders or those in foods. The most common source of onions for cats is in human baby food. Some baby foods have onion powder added for taste. When consistently fed baby food with added onion powder, signs of toxicity can develop. Many people use garlic pills as 'natural' flea control. The amount of garlic is low but if large amounts of the pills are ingested at one time, toxicity may occur.
Yeast Dough. When ingested, bread or yeast dough will "rise" in the stomach just as it would for bread. As the dough rises and ferments, alcohol is produced. There are two problems with yeast dough. The biggest problem is that the dough often rises to many times its size, expanding the pet's stomach. The second problem is from the alcohol component, which can cause "alcohol toxicity." Symptoms of vomiting, retching, abdominal discomfort, lethargy, depression or bloat is possible.
From: Arleine
Americans spend over $10 billion dollars on pet food for our pets. Despite buying the best food available, some pets would rather eat what we eat. However, certain foods can be dangerous to your pet causing varying degrees of illness. Some food is toxic due to ingredients and some by improper cooking, storage or poor hygiene.
Alcoholic Beverages. Ethanol is the component in alcoholic beverages that can be toxic when an excessive amount is ingested. Pets are much smaller than us and can be highly affected by small amounts of alcohol. Exercise caution when drinks and pets are together. Toxicity can cause a wide variety of signs, and may even cause death. Signs can include odor of alcohol on the animal's breath, staggering, behavioral changes, excitement, depression, increased urination, slowed respiratory rate or cardiac arrest and death.
Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches and Plums. Ingestion of large amounts of stems, seeds and leaves of these fruits can be toxic. They contain a cyanide type compound and signs of toxicity include apprehension, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation and shock.
Avocados. The leaves, fruit, bark and seeds of avocados have all been reported to be toxic. The toxic component in the avocado is "persin," which is a fatty acid derivative. Symptoms of toxicity include difficulty breathing, abdominal enlargement, abnormal fluid accumulations in the chest, abdomen and sac around the heart. The amount that needs to be ingested to cause signs is unknown. Do not feed your pet any component of the avocado.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda. Baking soda and baking powder are both leavening agents. A leavening agent is a common ingredient in baked goods that produces a gas causing batter and dough to rise. Baking soda is simply sodium bicarbonate. Baking powder actually consists of baking soda and an acid, usually cream of tartar, calcium acid phosphate, sodium aluminum sulfate or a mixture of the three. Ingestion of large amounts of baking soda or baking powder can lead to electrolyte abnormalities (low potassium, low calcium and/or high sodium), congestive heart failure or muscle spasms.
Chocolate. Chocolate, in addition to having a high fat content, contains caffeine and theobromine. These two compounds are nervous system stimulants and can be toxic to your dog in high amounts. The levels of caffeine and theobromine vary between different types of chocolate. For example, white chocolate has the lowest concentration of stimulants and baking chocolate or cacao beans have the highest concentration.
Depending on the type of chocolate ingested and the amount eaten, various problems can occur. The high fat content in chocolate may result in vomiting and possibly diarrhea. Once toxic levels are eaten, the stimulant effect becomes apparent. You may notice restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination and possibly excessive panting. Heart rate and blood pressure levels may also be increased. Seizure activity may occur in severe cases.
Coffee (grounds and beans). Dogs that eat coffee grounds or beans can get "caffeine" toxicity. The symptoms are very similar to those of chocolate toxicity and can be just as or even more serious.
Fatty Foods. Rich and fatty food are favorites of dogs. They often get them as treats, leftovers or from getting into the trash. These fatty foods can cause pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can affect any pet but miniature or toy poodles, cocker spaniels and miniature schnauzers are particularly prone. Signs of pancreatitis generally include an acute onset of vomiting, sometimes diarrhea and abdominal pain. Abdominal pain is often evidenced by hunched posture or "splinting" of the abdomen when picked up. The dog may become very sick quickly and often needs intensive fluid and antibiotic therapy.
Dairy Products. Dairy products are not highly dangerous but can pose problems for two reasons. One is their high fat content and like other foods with high fat content, there is a risk of pancreatitis. The second reason is that pets poorly digest dairy products since they lack the enzyme required to digest lactose. This affects some pets more than others causing gas to diarrhea. Small amounts of plain yogurt or cheese are tolerated by most dogs but it is probably safest to avoid dairy products altogether.
Grapes and Raisins. So far, about 10 dogs poisoned by grapes and raisins have been officially reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. The amount of grapes or raisins ingested has been between 9 ounces to 2 pounds, and dogs ingesting these large amounts have developed kidney failure. Aggressive, and sometimes prolonged, treatment may be necessary to give the affected dog a chance at survival; without treatment death is possible. Despite testing, the reason for the kidney failure and the amount necessary for toxicity remains unknown. For now, any dog that ingests large amounts of grapes or raisins should be treated aggressively, so contact your veterinarian immediately if ingestion has occurred.
Macadamia Nuts. Macadamia nuts, also called the Queensland nut or Australia nut, can be toxic. The mechanism behind why these nuts are toxic is a mystery. However, it has been noted that as few as six to forty nuts in dogs have caused severe toxic signs. Dogs develop weakness, depression, vomiting, difficulty walking, tremors, abdominal pain, lameness, stiffness and/or pale gums. The signs usually dissipate in 12 to 24 hrs.
Moldy or Spoiled Food. Dogs love to get into the trash. A medical problem arises when the trash contains moldy or spoiled food. In addition to food poisoning, some pets can develop tremors related to the ingestion of certain molds.
Nutmeg. You may not realized this but high levels of nutmeg can be toxic, even fatal. The toxic principle is not well understood. Signs of toxicity include tremors, seizures, nervous system abnormalities or death.
Onions or Garlic. Dogs and cats lack the enzyme necessary to properly digest onions and this could result in gas, vomiting, diarrhea or severe gastrointestinal distress. If large amounts of onion or garlic are ingested or onions are a daily part of your dog's diet, the red blood cells may become fragile and break apart. This is due to the toxic ingredient in onions and garlic, thiosulphate. Signs can begin immediately after eating the onion or a few days later. Large quantities of garlic need to be ingested before signs of toxicity are seen. Severe anemias and even death can occur if the dog ingests lots of onions or garlic and receives no treatment.
All forms of onion and garlic are a problem. This includes raw, dehydrated, cooked, powders or those in foods. The most common source of onions for cats is in human baby food. Some baby foods have onion powder added for taste. When consistently fed baby food with added onion powder, signs of toxicity can develop. Many people use garlic pills as 'natural' flea control. The amount of garlic is low but if large amounts of the pills are ingested at one time, toxicity may occur.
Yeast Dough. When ingested, bread or yeast dough will "rise" in the stomach just as it would for bread. As the dough rises and ferments, alcohol is produced. There are two problems with yeast dough. The biggest problem is that the dough often rises to many times its size, expanding the pet's stomach. The second problem is from the alcohol component, which can cause "alcohol toxicity." Symptoms of vomiting, retching, abdominal discomfort, lethargy, depression or bloat is possible.
From: Arleine
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