A tiny Pomeranian was killed by a flea control product, after the owner didn’t correctly read the label, indicating that the product wasn’t to be used on dogs under 10kg. An unfortunate tragedy, but an avoidable one. From Stuff NZ:

A popular animal treatment is under investigation after an Auckland man accidentally killed his beloved family pet. He applied a 1ml capsule of fleakiller three times over three months to his tiny pet, Lady failing to notice the label which said the product should not be used on dogs weighing less than 10kg. A vet’s examination and blood tests confirmed the poisoning diagnosis.

Insecticides are toxic, no doubt about it, that’s how they work! They need to be used with care, not complacency. Read the darned label!! The company manufacturing the product is now launching an investigation. Should they need to? This is in the same category as the woman who sued McDonalds because she was burned by a cup of hot coffee she’d purchased from them. Did she perhaps expect cold coffee? Businesses shouldn’t need to protect themselves from people who don’t have a clue.

A dog groomer in Bloomington, Illinois is being charged with intimidation, criminal damage to property and cruelty to animals, after being accused of throwing meat tainted with antifreeze into a competing business’s outdoor kennel.

One would hope that someone who grooms and cares for dogs just wouldn’t have it in them to harm a dog for financial gain. One would also expect that if you left your dog at a grooming parlor for a shampoo and stylecut that they would come home to you unharmed. It’ll be interesting to see how the case pans out. However this whole issue suggests that there’s the potential for your dog to be poisoned anywhere really, even when you think they are safe.

The really bad thing is, antifreeze is deadly! For further information on the effects of antifreeze on your dog, as well as details on many other common household poisons, you can purchase my ebook Dog Poisons In The Home here.

Have you ever heard of Xylitol? It’s an artificial sweetener, brand names Xylosweet and PolySweet to name just a few. People use it instead of sugar in a weight loss program, and it can be found also in diet candy, sugarless gum and jellies.  Interestingly enough, xylitol is derived from plants - birch trees, corn, beets and some berries.  If it’s plant derived, and therefore “natural”, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe! 

One could be forgiven for thinking that if it’s okay for people, it’s okay for dogs too. For some reason, dogs absorb much more xylitol from their gastrointestinal tract than people do, and it causes a sudden and dramatic drop in blood sugar, usually within half an hour. Your dog will show weakness and lethargy, leading to collapse and seizures. This is an emergency; without veterinary care your dog is at risk of brain damage and death.

There are also some suggestions that xylitol can cause fatal liver failure within 24 hours, but more research needs to be done in this area.

The take home lesson? Keep your diet foods away from your dog. It may save his life.

This little dog ate lots of pennies! They contained Zinc, and the result was that Kaiba had zinc poisoning. Zinc poisoining in dogs has become more common since 1983 because the composition of US pennies was changed - they contain around 98% zinc. The result of zinc poisoning is that blood cells are destroyed, resulting in severe anaemia. White gums, lethargy, possible vomiting are the common symptoms. Zinc poisoning is potentially life threatening, and an affected dog will definitely need veterinary care.

Mia is a gorgeous cocker spaniel, who loves nothing more than sharing the dinner table with her beloved family. Sitting on the deck with a glass of wine and some macadamia nuts, her “mom” saw no reason not to share the snacks with Mia. She really seemed to enjoy the nuts.

Unfortunately macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. Mia developed muscle tremors and paralysis of the hindlegs, and her concerned owners rushed her to the emergency clinic. She was given activated charcoal, and monitored in hospital. Luckily, most dogs who eat macadamia nuts make a full and uneventful recovery.

Nobody really knows the chemical in macadamia nuts that poisons dogs. It may only take half a dozen macadamia kernels to affect your dog. It’s safer not to give them any at all.

In March 2007, many dogs and cats in the US and Europe started becoming ill after eating their regular dry dog food. They developed kidney failure and over the next few months, many died as a result. The culprit was thought to be contaminated wheat gluten which was imported from China. The exact toxin wasn’t confirmed, but it was thought to be melamine and cyanuric acid, which have been proven to be damaging to the renal system when used in combination.

What are we, the average dog owner, to feed our dogs? Many of these foods were made in the USA, so we can be forgiven for thinking they should be safe.  Unless dog food manufacturers can list the source of the ingredients, we are none the wiser. Can this happen again? It’s certainly possible while large manufacturers are focussed on the all important bottom line.