Halloween Chocolate Dog Poisoning

It is Halloween and veterinary clinics always have at least one case of chocolate poisoning .

The chocolate that dog's eat only gives them an upset stomach, because candy bars contain little chocolate.

But with the increasing emphasis on treats with dark chocolate, more and more poisonings are being seen, and in some case even a small amount can be serious.

That being said, for most dogs it's only a minor stomach upset. If you happen to have a pet who often has  digestive issues, then one of the things to help your pet is with a good quality probiotic supplement.

The veterinarians are seeing increasing number of dogs with chocolate toxicity as more of us are eating the  healthy dark chocolate. Your dog only needs to eat small amounts of dark chocolate to become seriously ill. To keep your pet healthy stay away from giving them any chocolate. 

Remember chocolate is not a dog food.

TOXIC PARTS of CHOCOLATE

The toxic components in chocolate are caffeine and theobromine. 

The theobromine is found in high concentrations in chocolate, and causes most of the clinical signs in dogs. Theobromine affects your dog’s intestinal system, nervous system (brain), cardiovascular system (heart and lungs), and the kidneys.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs depend on the amount of chocolate eaten, the type of chocolate, and the time since it was ingested. The most common sign after your dogs eat chocolate are gastro-intestinal.Stomach upset, bloating, vomiting and diarrhea. Often you may see hyperactivity, restlessness, elevated heart rate and increased drinking and urinating. The most serious signs are when the nervous system is affected; these may show up as tremors, seizures, increased breathing rate, high body temperature ( hyperthermia) and coma.

TOXIC DOSES

The toxic and potentially fatal dose of chocolate is 60mg/kg- so a 5kg dog only needs to consume 300mg of chocolate. Clinical Signs can be seen as low as 20mg/kg- meaning a small 5kg dog only needs to consume 100mg to have problems. Severe signs are seen at 40mg/kg- or consuming 200mg of chocolate for a 5kg  dog.

Let’s look at how much theobromine is in certain types of chocolate, then we can best know if you need to be concerned about chocolate poisoning in your dog if he has eaten some. A 5oz milk chocolate bar contains 250mg of theobromine, a dark chocolate bar contains 600 mg. Unsweetened baking chocolate contains 400mg theobromine per square, Semisweet chocolate chips (30 chips), 250mg. Dry cocoa powder contains 700 mg of theobromine per ounce.

A poodle weighing 5 kg can be fatally poisoned by as little as one milk chocolate bar containing 250mg of theobromine. A 75lb larger breed dog, such as a Golden Retriever, would need to eat to eat 8 milk chocolate bars to become seriously ill. On the other hand, the dark chocolate and bakers chocolate are far more toxic; the 75lb Golden only needs to consume 3 of the dark chocolate bars to be seriously poisoned.

What Should You Do 

If your dog eats any amount of chocolate, the first thing is to figure out how much has been consumed. Then based on the type of chocolate, determine if your pet has eaten a potentially toxic amount. If the dose of chocolate is 20mg per kg of theobromine or higher, you should be seeing your veterinarian and inducing vomiting, or doing this at home. So this means that if your 5kg poodle eats a milk chocolate bar, then induce vomiting as he has eaten more than 200mg of theobromine. I have calculated this dose by multiplying the poodle’s weight of 5kg times the toxic dose amount of 20mg/kg giving a level of 200mg.

INDUCE VOMITING

The method I prefer to induce vomiting is by giving hydrogen peroxide at 1 teaspoon per 5kg  of body weight. If your pet doesn’t vomit in 10 minutes, repeat again. I advise to never do more than 2 treatments of peroxide. If you are unable to induce vomiting, if your dog is showing any serious signs such as tremors, seizures, excessive vomiting, diarrhea, or you are at all unsure please see your veterinarian.

IF it's just an UPSET STOMACH

Here are a few options to consider for the vomiting:

A CUP OF TEA. Peppermint Tea is an old remedy used for upset stomachs in people. Brew up a strong cup of tea, but allow it to cool before offering it. Give your dog 1/4 cup per 5 kg of body weight three times daily, give your cat 1 tablespoon three times daily.

Written by Imrana Sljivo DVM🐾

Parasites (Worms ) in Cats

 You Just Got a Cat What You Should  do First ?

Many of you when got a cat don’t really know what to do first .Should you vaccinate them or give them anti parasitic medications .💊 

The first and most important thing is to get rid off the endoparasites and ectoparasites .They can be very harmful and also many of them are zoonoses , which means they are harmful for humans too.

If you notice that your cat has pale gums, is having trouble breathing or vomiting or not eating .You should get them to the Vet.

Types of Worms in Cats

The most common types of worms in cats are gastrointestinal worms. They include:

Roundworms are the most common type of intestinal worm in cats, specifically in kittens. Roundworms are 3 to 6 inches long, cream-colored, and resemble spaghetti when found in the stool.

Hookworms are tiny, thin, white worms. They are so small ,most people do not notice them on the cat’s stool. If you do see them, they look like tiny, thin strings. Hookworms get their name from their hook-like mouthparts and aggressive bloodsucking behavior,they attach themselves to the lining of the intestines and suck blood.

Whipworms are 2 to 3 inches in length with one thicker end and one thinner end, resembling a whip, hence their name. Whipworms are not easily seen in the stool and are diagnosed only under a microscope.

Tapeworms occur when a kitten or cat eats a flea while grooming or eats a rodent infected with tapeworm eggs. Tapeworms look like grains of rice and are found around the anus or in a cat’s stool.

Other worms in cats 

• Hartworms
• Lungworms 
• Bladderworms
• Liver Flukes

Symptoms of Worms in Cats

Symptoms of worms in cats may vary. You can usually determine the type of worm based on your cat’s symptoms:

• Diarrhea or loose stool you may see worms in the stool
• Vomiting (worms may be seen in the vomit)
• Distended abdomen
• Weight loss thin body condition 
• General unhealthy appearance dull hair 
• Pale gums (hookworms only)
• Trouble breathing and Coughing can be seen if worms migrate to the lungs (hookworms, roundworms)

How Cat get Infected with Worms 

Most kittens are infected with worms while nursing their mother, when they ingest tiny worm larvae directly from their mother’s milk. 

Worms in cats typically occur when worm eggs are ingested. This can happen when a cat licks their fur after exposure to a contaminated environment or when they eat an animal infected with the worm or its eggs.

Hookworm larvae can penetrate directly into the skin between the toes, causing skin infections.

Treatment of Worms in Cats

Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms are treatable with oral and topical medications, and sometimes injectable formulations, prescribed by your veterinarian.

Some worms in cats are killed with a single treatment. Other worms require multiple dosages of a medication given on a strict schedule over a certain period.

It’s important to carefully follow the directions provided by your vet !

How often should you give anti parasitics to Your  Cat?

Kitten Deworming  Schedule :

Start deworming a kitten between 4-6 weeks old

Then again at 8 weeks old

And again at 12 weeks old

Deworm every 4 weeks until 6 months old

And after every 1-3 months depending on lifestyle

To ensure your feline friend is healthy, you’ll need to clean (deworm) them regularly .

Do Indoor Cats Need Deworming?

All cats need consistent deworming no matter where they live.

Fleas — potential tapeworms carriers — can enter homes by riding on clothing, people, or other pets. When indoor cats groom themselves, tapeworm transmission can occur by accidentally ingesting an infected flea. Similarly, mosquitos can easily enter homes through screen doors and windows, where they can then bite pets and transmit hartworms.

How to Deworm (clean) a Cat

Go to the vet .They’ll be the best source of information about the dosage of dewormer ,how to give it to your and on what timeline.

 

What to Expect After Deworming a Cat

Anti-parasitic products typically take between two and four days to take effect. In some cases, a second dose is also required. The worms should be gone in-two to three weeks after giving a medication. A second deworming might be needed a few weeks later to eliminate all the worms because the medication affects life cycle stages differently.

Side effects of Cat’s Anti-parasitics 

Anti parasitic medications are quite safe and rarely have side effects when used at the correct dose. However, some cats might have diarrhea, vomiting, increased salivation, or decreased appetite. These symptoms are typically seen within 24 hours of administering the medication and should resolve on their own.

Prevention 

In veterinary medicine prevention is a key to keep your pet healthy.

Cat’s anti parasites products only treat the current infection. Prevent future infestations with a monthly preventative medications. 

Written by Imrana Sljivo DVM 🐾

3 Cat’s Incurable Virus Infections

 

The most famous feline virus infections are

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).

During my practice as a veterinarian in these cases ,we used to said to our pets parents or  that we can’t do anything or that we can do very little for their loving ones.

But now time is changed ,now maybe we can do some certain things. In this article i will explain how to recognize these conditions and how can you help to your pet.

How to Recognize These  Diseases 

The signs all vary ,but they are all having a chronic suppressed immune system and it varies as to which organs are affected. In all diseases you can see weight loss, severe dental disease (gingivitis), chronic poor skin, cancer (lumps, enlarged lymph nodes), ongoing diarrhea, recurrent fevers. In FIP you see inflammatory tissue cells all throughout the body. The organs may fail, fevers develop, and fluid accumulates in the chest or abdomen. FIP cats are often thin cats with large distended abdomens.

Causes Of Illness 

FIV is caused by deep bite wounds that occur during fighting. It is similar to the Human AIDS virus, although signs may not occur for more than 5 years after infection.

Mutation of Corona virus causes FIP ,begins in gut .FIP the coronavirus leaves the intestinal tract, and causes other organs to be attacked by the immune system. FIP is not contagious – most cats never get FIP even though Coronavirus is common.

Feline Leukemia Virus is caused by a virus spread through by the saliva of infected cats, via blood (cat fights) and via mother to fetus in pregnancy. Most infected cats eliminate the virus and become immune. In those cats that do not develop immunity, the virus spreads to the bone marrow.

What  are the Solutions 

If your cat has some serious, chronic ongoing diseases, then have your vet test and rule out these infectious diseases. Unfortunately, nothing we give will cure your cat of these diseases, but we can do a lot in extending your pet’s quality of life. It is important to not spread the disease to other cats, and know how to prevent it with your other cats. If you have a FIP/FeLV or FIV positive cat, then I would advise testing your other cats for this disease, and vaccinating them with FeLV or FIV vaccine. FIP is not contagious, so there is no reason to use that vaccine.

Alternative Medicine 

Probiotics 

These are the beneficial bacteria that support the immune system, and they are particularly important to potentially help prevent, and manage a cat with any of the infectious diseases. One cat study on FIV said this:

'...These results suggest a novel role for FIV in upregulating transcellular transport across the gastrointestinal epithelial barrier and demonstrate the potential therapeutic use of probiotic bacteria to restore intestinal homeostasis.'

Quercetin  (beneficial flavonoid found in apple peel)

Boston University School of Medicine study shows a link between a nutrient-dense diet rich in quercetin plus other antioxidants and a lowered risk of cancer. Quercetin seems to have potential chemo-preventive activity and might have a unique antiproliferative effect on cancerous cells, making it an effective addition to any natural cancer treatment approach.

Colostrum

This is mothers 1st milk, and now increasingly being looked at for it's immune supportive properties. A great option to consider for a cat with any of these diseases (or even help prevent them). Bovine colostrum (BC) has attracted the interest of numerous researchers investigating its anti-cancer potential.

Safe, minimal side effects, good supplement option. Doses of 100mg/10lbs daily.

Cannabinoids 

CBD and the other cannabinoids may be beneficial for a cat with FIV/FeLV or FIP. Here is what one review article said:

'…Since they play important roles in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and survival, endocannabinoids (ECS) have emerged as a cell regulatory mechanism involved in protection against cancer development.'   Standard CBD dose of 3mg/10lbs once-twice daily.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS are considered pharmaconutrients

Preventive: low levels of EFA’s in mammary tissue increase chance of serious cancer 

Studies show that people who consume the most omega-3s have up to a 55% lower risk of colon cancer. One study in particular showed impressive evidence for using Krill Oil. Krill oil extract suppresses cell growth and induces apoptosis of human colorectal cancer cells

MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS.

Turkey Tail Mushroom: Used conventionally in Japan for over 30 years for many types of cancer, esp colon cancer. Safe, limited/no side effects, works with chemotherapy drugs. Animal dose of 100mg/10lbs twice daily.

Reishi Mushroom. If your cat has lymphoma, maybe you should use REISHI mushroom. The studies showed that this is the most beneficial medicinal mushroom for Lymphoma. The Reishi dose is 100mg/10lbs once-twice daily.

Artemisinin 

Artemisinins are a unique class of antimalarial drugs with significant potential for drug repurposing for a wide range of diseases including cancer. Artemisinins have an excellent safety and tolerability profile as well as being affordable.

A good option to consider for pets with cancer. Cat doses: 30mg/10lbs once-twice daily.

Panacur . (Fenbendazole). 

Panacur for Cancer. This is an old veterinary dewormer, that is very safe for cats, and showing to be helpful for some people, and some animals with cancer. Dosing regimen of Panacur. 50mg/kg 3 days on/4 days off for 30 days, if working continue for another 90 days or 10mg/kg once daily. I would use this on my cat with FeLV/FIV or FIP

 These are the methods  that you should try if your cat is diagnosed with these three deathly incurable diseases. It will not cure your cat but certainly can with appropriate healthy food ,improve their quality of life .

Written by Imrana Sljivo DVM