We will provide information for you that is intended to help you to help your Golden. We will be working with veterinarians and dog behavior specialists to provide articles and additional information to help inform you on these topics.

• Cocoa Bean Mulch

• Cortisone and Rimadyl

• Grape and Raisin Poisoning

• Five Plants Most Hazardous to Your Pet

• Heartworm Aftercare

• Heatstroke

• Ibuprofen Poisoning

• Immune-mediated or Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

• Lantana

• Oral Health

• Potpourri

• Sago Palm (Cycad) Dangers 

• Tick-borne Disease

• Xylitol - Sweetner Found In Candy, Chewing Gum, Breath Freshners, Smoking Cessation Aids, Tooth Paste, Sun Block, Vitamins, and Supplements

THE FIVE PLANTS MOST HAZARDOUS TO YOUR PET'S HEALTH

In recognition of National Poison Prevention Week, March 20 through 26, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is educating owners about the five plants most potentially dangerous to pets. "We typically recommend that pets not be allowed to eat plants in general," says APCC veterinary toxicologist Dr. Safdar Khan. "However, it is especially critical that the following plants be kept out of reach of animals, as they have the potential to cause serious, even fatal systemic effects when ingested."

LILIES rank number one in dangerous plant call volume at the APCC, and are highly toxic to cats. Says Khan, "It is clear that even with ingestions of very small amounts, severe kidney damage could result." An owner in Pennsylvania lost her cat to kidney failure from ingesting only a small portion of an Easter lily.

AZALEAS, indigenous to many eastern and western states and commonly used in landscaping, contain substances that can produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness, and central nervous system depression. Severe cases could lead to death from cardiovascular collapse.

Frequently used as an ornamental plant, OLEANDER contains toxic components that can cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, hypothermia, and potentially severe cardiac problems.

Also a popular ornamental plant, SAGO PALM can potentially produce vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures, liver failure, and even death. One pit bull terrier in Florida became ill and subsequently died from liver failure after chewing on the leaves and base of a sago palm in his yard.

Although all parts of the CASTOR BEAN plant are dangerous, the seeds contain the highest concentration of toxins. Ingestion can produce significant abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness; in severe cases, dehydration, tremors, seizures, and even death could result.

For more on these dangerous plants, please visit ASPCA online http://www.aspca.org/site/R?i=cBstphhW0HcXSXLRAGHJvQ

If you suspect that your pet may have consumed one of these-or any other potentially toxic substance-please contact your veterinarian or the APCC's 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

Cocoa Bean Mulch

ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Animal Poison Control Center issued an alert in October 2003 regarding dogs and Cocoa Bean Mulch. The alert reported on a study that concluded that dogs consuming cocoa bean shell mulch fertilizer may become ill, exhibiting signs consistent with methylxanthine toxicosis, which is similar to those seen with chocolate poisonings. The data suggests the most common signs that occurred following ingestion were vomiting and muscle tremors. Although it was not possible to quantify exact oral dosage amounts, the severity of clinical signs did appear to increase with the larger amounts anecdotally reported. "Since the updated data confirms that dogs can exhibit certain clinical effects after consuming cocoa bean shell mulch fertilizer, the ASPCA advises pet owners that they should avoid using this fertilizer around unsupervised dogs, and dogs with indiscriminate eating habits," comments Dr. Steven Hansen, Senior Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1275&articleid=300

Cortison and Rimadyl

A further warning - never mix ANY kind of cortisone with Rimadyl.  This can also cause bleeding in the stomach.

Grape and Raisin Poisoning

In a February 2005, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center published an article discussing grape and raisin poisoning in dogs. Apparently, grapes and raisins can be toxic to dogs when ingested in large quantities:

http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/McKnight-Tox_Brief-Feb_VT_05.pdf?docID=3782

Heartworm Treatment Aftercare

It is important for people taking care of heartworm patients to understand that heartworm disease is not a microscopic infection as some owners mistakenly believe, but is a severe infestation of the heart by worms of from 6-12" in length which load the heart and cut off its ability to function. In severe cases, the worms grow, reproduce, and migrate from the heart to arteries, the lungs, and even other organs in the body. It is a horrific disease that no dog should have to endure and is completely preventable by heartworm pills. Fortunately, there is a cure, though it is rough on the dogs and their caretakers, but most dogs with heartworm disease do survive through the treatment and the loving, knowledgeable care of their concerned caretakers.

From the occult blood test, if a heartworm positive (HW+) dog is a Stage 1 or 2 (mild to moderate heartworm disease, though the assessment is more complicated than this) with no clinical symptoms (slow heartbeat, congested lungs, fever, prior coughing, and listlessness), we do the full treatment of two injections over 24 hours while the dog stays in the clinic over night. If the dog is a Stage 3 - 5 (severe to critical heartworm disease---"loaded" with the heartworms), or has clinical symptoms,  the treatment is split over four weeks as this is much easier on the dog who is extremely ill with the disease. The two injections (called an Immiticide or Adulticide because it kills adult heartworms) are made in the lumbar region with a long needle; the Immiticide is an arsenic-based compound: it can hurt, cause pain to spread throughout the lower back muscles, and make the dog feel nauseated. Most HW+ dogs, close to 95%, get through the heartworm treatment without complications, but the following are signs to watch for and aftercare to observe.

Some patients are very tired and sleep a lot for two to four days; some have temporary difficulty getting up because of the muscle soreness. Though some dogs do not experience the muscle soreness, it is particularly important not to pick up the dog or put any pressure on the back for 2-4 days after the injections. Even a gentle dog might cry out and snap in pain if that area is touched. You will know the dog is feeling better when the eyes brighten, tail wags, and the dog resumes interest in the caretaker and home activities, usually in just a few days. Let the dog sleep in a crate or on a preferred doggy bed or blanket, wherever she is most comfortable, while you watch her and keep her quiet; some dogs think they’re feeling well, but it is imperative that no heartworm patient exercise during the recovery period. The dog may not run, play, or go for walks during the four-week period. Even after heartworm treatment is successfully completed, the patient should not go for long walks or engage in strenuous play for another month: each patient should be allowed to gradually build his or her strength.

The most important observations are the following: (1) Keep an eye on the gums; they should be pink. If they get very red or white, along with listlessness, call us and take the dog to the vet: the dog may have a secondary infection (red gums) or anemia/shock (white gums) and need quick intervention (2) Pay close attention to combination of lethargy, increased respiration, restlessness, and coughing; if you note these symptoms after treatment, take the dog to the clinic. She will probably be put on Prednisone and will respond quickly (3) Watch for vomiting combined with listlessness, fever, rapid breathing, and pale gums. The dog goes to the vet immediately, because the signs may point to embolism (worm clot); the doctors will keep her overnight, possibly a couple of days, put her on IV to hydrate her, sometimes oxygen if she's in distress, and give her cortisone injections to break up the clot. This is a life-threatening complication: Take the dog immediately to vet.

The above warning signs are the most serious to watch for and are rare in our experience. Most HW+ dogs do go through a certain amount of coughing and/or gagging reflex which could start at any time, but some patients rarely cough at all. The worms are dying and dissolving, being passed through the bloodstream and lungs; the dog has to cough up the resultant phlegm – not the same as real vomiting which you’d recognize. If coughing starts, call us and the clinic; they will want to listen to his heart and lungs and may want to put the dog on cortisone. The coughing/gagging is alarming for the caretaker; even more so for the dog: pet him if he wants it; talk to him to let him know he’s loved and secure. However, if the coughing/gagging reflex seems heavy and uncontrollable, causing the dog distress, call the vet as he may be starting an embolism. Again, this is rare in our experience, and we do expect some coughing/gagging a few times a day or a few times a week for a couple of weeks; then it gradually subsides as he improves. Give the dog ½ coated or baby aspirin twice a day the first couple of weeks; this helps thin the blood so he can pass the dissolving worms. However, if the veterinarian has prescribed Prednisone for your foster because he hears a 'crackling' in the heart indicative of higher level infestation or fluid build up, do not give the aspirin with it. Use low fat cream cheese, cottage cheese, or hotdog to ease the aspirin or Pred. down. If the dog loses his appetite, mix a little Mighty Dog canned food or Veg-All (mixed vegetables) or turkey/chicken broth in with his kibble until he regains appetite, usually in a couple of days; be sure he’s drinking water every day. Crate him during the day when you’re gone, keep him quiet and loved when he’s out of the crate: no play or walks for four weeks. Crate the first couple of weeks, though we find often weeks 2 and 3 can be the most ‘gaggy.’ If so, continue to crate him another week. Go out in the yard with him to make sure he doesn’t run but just eliminates and comes back in. If he wants to run or chase squirrels in the yard, then take him out on a leash. After four weeks, the dog gets another, milder injection or HeartGuard pill to kill any baby heartworms; he is re-checked one week later to make sure all worms are eliminated; then he is on heartworm preventive for life – given the same day he is cleared by the doctor. We also recommend the dog not go for long walks or exercise strenuously for another month after treatment: allow him to gradually build his strength. HW+ dogs almost always have some enlargement of the heart, and some damage that can be seen on x-rays (vets always know when a dog has had heartworm disease from x-ray) that may still need some healing time for a few more weeks, but they will be cured and live normal lives from that point on.

Even after treatment and health clearance, in rare cases some former heartworm patients can still test positive for the heartworm antigen for four to six months after treatment, which is why the dog should be re-tested in four months and again six months later while being kept on the monthly preventative. This does not necessarily mean the dog still has heartworms and must go through the treatment again but that it is taking longer for the antigens to leave his system; however, in rare cases, the treatment may not have killed all the worms, and the doctors must make a case-by-case decision about re-treating the dog. Thus we want to monitor every heartworm patient a full year after the treatment and then yearly after that as for all dogs. Also, in rare cases, a dog that initially tested HW- may actually have heartworms because the antigens don't show up in the test for 4-6 months. If you would like to read more about heartworm disease and treatment, go to the American Heartworm Society’s web site at http://www.heartwormsociety.org/heart.htm and the Pet Center’s discussion of the disease at http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/hw.html

Heatstroke

Did you know? 

• Dogs cannot perspire.  They get rid of heat by panting instead of evaporation
• Heatstroke can occur in just a few minutes
• Dogs and cats are at much greater risk of heatstroke than people
• Many pets with heatstroke will die without appropriate therapy
• During the hotter months (March - November), you should not exercise your pet in the heat of the day
• Hot pavement can cause third degree burns on your pet’s feet
• Your pet can suffer a heatstroke from just lying around in the back yard
• A car’s interior can reach life threatening temperatures in just a few minutes….even if the windows are rolled all the way down!

For a complete report on heatstoke, including symptoms and summer safety tips, please click on the link above to the materials provided by The Veterinary Emergency Referral Group, Inc., Houston, Texas.

Ibuprofen Poisoning

Ingestion of Ibuprofen (Advil, Midol, Motrin, etc.) is a serious health hazzard for dogs. Dogs may suffer vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, seizures and even death. July 2004 "Toxicology Brief", Veterinary Medicine

Immune-mediated or Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

Lets define the terms of the disease one at a time. "Autoimmune" literally means the immunity against the self."Hemolytic" is the destruction of red blood cells. "Anemia" is a clinical sign, not a disease. Anemia is defined as a decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBC's) or the amount of hemoglobin, resulting in a decrease in the oxygen- carrying capacity of the blood.

Reprinted by permission, Meisha's Hope by Joanne Dickson. For more information on AIHA, Meisha's story, Treatment, FAQ's, New Hope, Success Stories, and Loss & Grief, please click on the Meisha's Hope link above.

Other links to information on AIHA:

Diagnosis of Immune-mediated Hemolytic Anemia

Kristin M. Hiers, DVM; Kenneth Latimer, DVM, PhD; Perry J. Bain, DVM, PhD; Paula M. Krimer, DVM, DVSc

Class of 2003 (Hiers) and Department of Pathology (Latimer, Bain, Krimer), College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602

Lantana

Scientific Name - Lantana camara
Common Name - Lantana, red sage, shrub verbena

Characteristics

Plant Description - Small, perennial shrub with spiny, square stems; leaves simple, opposite or whorled, toothed, fragrant when crushed; flowers in flat-topped clusters on a long stalk, each flower small, tubular, 4-parted, white, pink, or yellow, changing to orange or red; fruit fleshy, green becoming bluish black.

Where Found - Houseplant or interiorscape, in hanging baskets; landscape in flower gardens as cultivated woody shrub or groundcover.

Mode - Ingestion, contact dermatitis.

Poisonous Part - Unripe, green berries; skin irritation from the leaves.

Symptoms - Vomiting, diarrhea, dilated pupils, labored respiration; the leaves may cause dermatitis.

Toxic Principle - Triterpenes (lantadene A & B).

Severity - HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

Almost all poisoning cases due to lantana have occurred in livestock, as you noted.  But it can affect other species, including children, if they eat it. The berries, especially when green, have the highest dose of toxins, but the leaves also are a problem.  Usually the pungent smell and taste keep animals from eating the plant unless there is very little else for them to graze on.

The main toxins affect the liver.  At lower doses, there is enough liver damage that chlorophyll from plants cannot be properly broken down by the liver and accumulates in the skin.  Although it might sound as if the animal should turn green, the partially degraded chlorophyll does not have a color, but makes the cells very sensitive to sun.  Animals become photosensitive and unpigmented areas of the skin that are exposed to sun can become red, itchy or even slough off.  Since livestock consume more plants, therefore more lantana and other sources of chlorophyll, this is likely why the condition is most apparent in them.

At higher doses, lantana can cause severe enough liver damage that animals become very sick or die.

So, the best idea would be to keep your pets from eating it.  In Africa, lantana is burned as a mosquito repellent and a number of countries also have major projects to eliminate it, since they consider it a pest species.

LIQUID POTPOURRI PACKS A PAINFUL PUNCH

Want a fresh and fragrant home? Before setting out that delicious-smelling potpourri simmer pot, please take heed. Many liquid potpourris contain essential oils and detergents that could prove hazardous to your furry companions, based on an analysis of calls to the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center. 

To avoid exposing your pet to the dangers of liquid potpourri, ASPCA experts offer the following tips:
- Place potpourri simmer pots and unused liquid in rooms where pets cannot gain access.
- Consider using relatively safer alternatives, such as plug-in or solid air fresheners. (Do take care to use these in out-of-reach locations as well.)
- If you suspect your pet has been exposed to liquid potpourri, please call your veterinarian or the APCC's emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance.

 For more information:  http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_newsalert122906&JServSessionIdr012=982rjbsf03.app27b#1

Oral Health

By the age of three, more than half of all dogs are beginning to show signs of a dental problem. Plaque is at the root of most dental problems in pets. Plaque is a colorless film that contains large amounts of bacteria. Left untreated, plaque hardens into a substance called tartar that forms along the base of the tooth, near the gum line. This process causes inflammation of the gums and a resulting condition known as gingivitis. As the inflammation progresses, it destroys gums and tissues that support the teeth, leading to tooth loss.

Infection associated with periodontal disease can be responsible for bad breath, and bacteria can enter a pet's bloodstream and spread to vital organs such as the heart, liver or kidneys.

Preventative oral care throughout your pet's life can reduce the formation of plaque and tartar.

Signs of periodontal disease include the following:

• Bad breath
• Tooth loss
• Bleeding gums
• Build-up of yellow-brown tartar
• Pain when eating
• Pawing at the mouth

To maintain good oral health, dogs  need dental care, just like us! This includes care at home as well as from your veterinarian. As part of a routine physical, your veterinarian will inspect your dog's mouth. If periodontal disease is found, your doctor may recommend dental scaling and polishing to remove plaque and tartar. However, plaque should be removed regularly by brushing your dog's teeth. There are special tooth brushes and tooth paste available at your local pet store. Also, do not allow your dog to chew on very hard objects, as this is the most common causes of broken teeth in pets.

Sago Palm (Cycad) Dangers 

Dr. Sara Ward, DVM, of The Veterinary Emergency Referral Group, Inc., Houston, Texas reports an increasing number of canine emergency cases as a result of the animals ingesting various parts of the plants.

Cycad intoxication always carries a guarded prognosis. These cases usually present with gastrointestinal signs, specifically vomiting, and usually occur within 3 hours or less of ingestion.  The neurological signs that may accompany this usually includes profound depression that may be secondary to the liver damage or the result of a second neurotoxin. A tentative diagnosis can be made based on history and clinical signs and it is recommended that all cases of possible cycad ingestion be treated aggressively.

For a complete report, please click on the link above.

Tick Borne Disease Infections

The following information is provided courtesy of Anne McGuire owner of Vintage Golden Retrievers in Katy, Texas http://users2.ev1.net/~vintage/default.htm

Tick-borne infections are commonly misdiagnosed.   Symptoms may be very similar to blastomycosis and Valley Fever.   Tick-borne infections may be misdiagnosed as lupus, lymphosarcoma, leukemia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, epilepsy, myositis, brucellosis, inflammatory bowel disease, encephalitis and “autoimmune disease.” Acute stage symptoms may be so mild that symptoms are not recognizable.   Following the acute stage of infection, untreated dogs may enter a sub-clinical stage.  In this stage the dog is asymptomatic and appears healthy.    The sub-clinical stage can last for weeks or years.  If a dog has a strong immune system, it may be able to keep the organisms in check, thus maintaining a sub-clinical state for quite a long time.   Eventually the dog may experience stress that weakens the immune system enough that the infection becomes active again, and the dog enters a chronic stage of infection. 

In chronic stage infections, the organism may penetrate brain and central nervous system tissues, internal organs (liver, spleen, kidneys), reproductive organs (uterus or testes) and bone marrow.  A tremendous number of symptoms are possible, making accurate diagnosis difficult.  Symptoms and signs are serious and may be life-threatening including: 

severe non-regenerative anemia and thrombocytopenia (i.e. low platelets), seizures, muscle wasting, kidney failure, enlargement of the spleen, cardiac abnormalities, and bone marrow hypoplasia.     Neurological symptoms have been documented for almost all rickettsia species.   Many of these infections can trigger a wide array of autoimmune processes in the body: autoimmune facial paralysis, immune-mediated polyarthritis, inflammatory bowel syndromes, chronic ear and skin infections and “allergies”.   Thyroid hormone and thyroid auto-antibody levels may be abnormal. Chronic stage symptoms include:

• severe anemia

• low platelets (thrombocytopenia)

• low white cells

• bone marrow failure

• muscle wasting / weight loss

• kidney failure

• liver failure

• enlarged spleen and/or liver

• cardiac damage

• autoimmune disorders

• abnormal thyroid function

• seizures & other neurological disorders

• meningitis-like illness

• uveitis

For more information on this very important subject, please visit:  http://users2.ev1.net/~vintage/tick.htm

Xylitol - Sweetner Found In Candy, Chewing Gum, Breath Freshners, Smoking Cessation Aids, Tooth Paste, Sun Block, Vitamins, and Supplements

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in various consumer products as well as in personal baking and food preparation. Xylitol has the potential to pose considerable risk if ingested by dogs because it increases their blood insulin levels. One or two pieces of Xylitol-sweetened gum can pose a concern for the development of hypoglycemia in a 20 lb. dog!

http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/Foss-Tox_Brief-Nov_VT_04.pdf?docID=3781

Golden Retriever Club of America has graciously allowed us to link to their site. There is a wealth of information on Goldens and health and behavior issues on this site.

SPCA's Pet Behavior Tip Sheets - You will need Acrobat Reader to view these files.  The software is free and may be downloaded at this site: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

For information regarding "Puppy Mills", please visit
http://www.hsus.org/ace/11797

The Veterinary Emergency Referral Group, Inc. of Houston, TX Newsletters

• 04 November - Hemoabdomen: to apply a compression bandage or not to bandage.