It is only a couple more weeks until classes start up again and I have to make the long drive back to Pullman, and go back to long periods of sitting in class. So until that happens I’ve been trying to study for at least a couple hours each day in hopes that I haven’t forgotten everything I’ve learned in my first two years. I know studying during summer vacation is pretty nerdy but third year is supposed to be the most difficult. Strange how it seems they say that about every year we are about to start. In any case the subject I was studying today is toxicology so I thought I would discuss 3 of the toxins from my notes.
Recently, word has spread that feeding grapes and raisins to dogs can be toxic. The first time I heard this I have to admit I was skeptical. It seems like whenever you hear that something is “bad” for your dog they can never tell you the why or how. So when we learned about grapes/raisins in class I was happy to finally have some solid information on the subject. Grapes/raisins are potential toxins that affect the kidneys. The problem is that there is no dose response recognized. What this means is that you or even your veterinarian cannot tell whether your dog will get sick by the amount of grapes/raisins your dog has consumed. Even more interesting is that not all dogs exposed become ill. The mechanism of action is also unknown at this time, i.e. how/why they damage the kidneys. If your dog is affected the signs will be pretty non-specific: vomiting characteristically occurs within 2 hours of ingestion, anorexia, diarrhea, depression, lethargy, and abdominal pain.
Cyanobacteria is another potential toxin that I had not heard about until veterinary school. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, despite the name can be seen in many different colors ranging from black to pink. It may be found in salt or freshwater when the specific environmental conditions are in place for it to grow and to produce toxins. Not all cyanobacteria are toxic but all animals including humans are susceptible to the toxic producing variety making it a public health concern. Depending on the strain of cyanobacteria the liver or the nervous system may be affected. If your dog is affected, signs may include vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, muscle rigidity, tremors, and paralysis. These signs would occur fairly soon after exposure within 1-4 hours. You can see some good pictures of cyanobacteria by searching in Google images. Since this is a public health concern if you suspect a bloom of cyanobacteria the Public Health department should be notified so they can test the suspected water.
The last potential toxin I’m going to discuss is Xylitol. This toxin is a sugar substitute that is now found in a wide variety of products including gum, toothpaste, mouthwash, candy, and sugar substitutes used for baking. Over-consumption can cause a severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in dogs. Some dogs may even develop liver failure. The signs of hypoglycemia will generally develop 30-60 minutes after ingestion and include weakness, seizures, and vomiting.
These are just three examples of toxins that I felt are fairly unknown to the majority dog owners but can be very harmful. If you think your dog has fallen victim to, or is experiencing any of the signs indicated here you should consult your local vet as soon as possible.
