Puppy Dog Spot

For your dog to be healthy and energetic, proper nutrition is critical. If you avoid letting your dog eat foods that can be harmful, your pet will avoid ill effects or even death.

Dark chocolate can be lethal to dogs. Substances in chocolate that canines cannot tolerate are methylxanthine alkaloids and theobromine. While humans excrete these substances within three hours after ingestion, these chemicals stay inside a dog’s body for up to eighteen hours. Chocolate poisoning symptoms can include excessive urination, vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperactivity. If you see these symptoms in your dog, seek treatment immediately as seizures, coma and death can result from chocolate.

Even though dogs love bones, the real variety are actually not good for them. Tiny splinters can be eaten when the dog gnaws at the bone which can lead to choking or perforations in the intestines.

Raw fish should also not be fed to dogs. Thiamine deficiency can result which can cause loss of appetite, weakness, abnormal posture and possibly death.

Raw eggs are another forbidden food since they cause biotin levels to fall. Hair loss, dermatitis, and skin eruptions can be the result.

Never feed your dog the foods mentioned above. Be sure to keep your dog away from the kitchen when you are preparing foods and secure your trashcans so that your pet doesn’t accidentally eat harmful foods.

Your vet just told you that your dog has roundworms. What are roundworms, and can you get rid of them?

Roundworms are a type of worm that is commonly found in puppies although adult dogs can get them, too. The mother can easily pass worms to her offspring since they are closely confined in a kennel. Often, the dog owner will first diagnose worms when some worms are passed in dog stool.

Roundworms take up residence in the small intestine and can become so numerous that the intestines can become blocked. One worm can grow up to six inches in length. Roundworms are contagious to other dogs and even people. To prevent worms, do not allow your dog to sniff stool from other dogs and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your animal.

Ask your vet to check your dog’s stool for worms at annual exams even if you have seen no evidence of infection. If your dog does have worms, your vet can prescribe medication. You will need to bring your dog for a check after finishing the medication as sometimes several rounds of treatment are necessary to completely eliminate the problem.

Roundworms can eventually lead to the death of your dog if left untreated, so be sure to get annual exams, and follow up on any unusual symptoms promptly.