Monthly Tips

Dangers in your Garden

Whether bringing your pet to a bed and breakfast or resort that has its own garden (or just beginning your own spring
gardening), be careful when you’re letting your pet "smell the roses".

Always watch for groundskeepers spraying pesticides or other materials. Let your pets on to the treated area only after sprays have dried -- or even the next day, suggested the Professional Lawn Care Association of America, based in Marietta, Georgia. Dry granular pesticides being used? Wait until the dust has settled to let your pet roam.

Beyond that, even some common plants are toxic to most animals, according to the American Animal Hospital Association, a Denver-based professional organization for veterinarians. The organization suggests keeping your pets away from several plants, including:

* Avocado
Fatal to birds, this plant's leaves, seeds, stems and skin are considered a cardiovascular toxin. It also can cause kidney or organ failure.

* Amaryllis
A showy flower, whether striped or solid white. Yet, its bulb is considered a gastrointestinal and neurological toxin.

* Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
These pretty, petite flowers are considered very poisonous, not to mention a cardiovascular and gastrointestinal toxin.

* Azalea
A lovely bush filled with flowers. Yet, it's a cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and neurological toxin for animals.

* Begonia
A pretty flower to people, but potentially fatal to pets. Can cause kidney or organ failure.

* Castor bean
A shrub-like plant with clustered seed pods, this African native is potentially fatal if chewed.

* Foxglove (Digitalis)
One of its nicknames -- Dead Men's Bells -- is a clue that this bell-shaped, tubular flower can be fatal.

* Hydrangea
A hardy, showy shade-loving flower, the plant contains cyanide.

* Jack-in-the-pulpit
Usually found in the woods, this flowering plant can cause kidney or organ failure.

* Lantana
Its clusters of tiny flowers attract butterflies, yet the plant can cause liver failure in pets.

* Lily of the valley
Known for sweet-smelling flowers, yet potentially fatal to pets.

* Oleander
Its pastel flowers make it a popular bush, yet it's very poisonous and can be fatal to pets.

* Philodendron
Big, leafy, green and showy, this plant can cause kidney or organ failure in animals.

* Poinsettia
The famous Christmas plant can bring on dermatitis in animals. It's also a gastrointestinal toxin.

* Rhubarb leaves
Can cause kidney or organ failure in animals.

* Rosary Pea
A slender vine with pea-shaped pods, this plant can be fatal if chewed.

* Scheffelera (a.k.a. umbrella plant)
This leafy green -- and often indoor -- plant can cause kidney or organ failure.

* Yew
A tree or ornamental plant with needle-like foliage, it is fatal to most animals.

The information about the sugar-free gum is true. Check it out at:

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/xylitol.asp

WARNING! To all dog owners pass this on to everyone you can.

Last Friday evening, I arrived home from work, fed Chloe, our 24# Dachshund just as I normally do. Ten minutes later I walked into the den just in time to see her head inside the pocket of Katie's friend's purse. She had a guilty look on her face so I looked closer and saw a small package of sugar-free gum. It contained xylitol.

I remembered that I had recently read that sugar-free gum can be deadly for dogs so I jumped on line and looked to see if xylitol was the ingredient. I found the first website below and it was the one. Next, I called our vet. She said to bring her in immediately.

Unfortunately, it was still rush hour and it took me almost 1/2 hour to get there. Meanwhile, since this was her first case, our vet found another website to figure out the treatment. She took Chloe and said they would induce her to vomit, give her a charcoal drink to absorb the toxin (even though they don't think it works) then they would start an iv with dextrose

The xylitol causes dogs to secrete insulin so their blood sugar drops very quickly. The second thing that happens is liver failure. If that happens, even with aggressive treatment, it can be difficult to save them. She told us she would call us.

Almost two hours later, the vet called and said that contents of her stomach contained 2-3 gum wrappers and that her blood sugar had dropped from 90 to 59 in 30 minutes. She wanted us to take Chloe to another hospita l that has a critical care unit operating around the clock. We picked her up and took her there. They had us call the ASPCA poison control for a case
number and for a donation, their doctors would direct Chloe's doctor on treatment They would continue the iv, monitor her blood every other hour and then in 2 days test her liver function. She ended up with a central line in her jugular vein since the one in her leg collapsed, just as our regular vet had feared.

Chloe spent almost the entire weekend in the critical care hospital. After her blood sugar was stabilized, she came home yesterday. They ran all the tests again before they released her and so far, no sign of liver damage.

Had I not seen her head in the purse, she probably would have died and we wouldn't even had known why.

Three vets told me this weekend, that they were amazed that I even knew ;about it since they are first learning about it too. Please tell everyone you know about xylitol and dogs. It may save another life.