Xylitol…sweet for you, but not sweet for dogs.

October 28, 2015/in Insights in Medicine /by Kate Stevens

We received a call from a client a few months ago that was very concerned about his dog Scamp. Scamp rides in his truck all the time, and David had a pack of gum sitting on the dashboard that had been there for weeks. Scamp had never touched it, but for some reason that day had decided to eat the entire package of gum, wrappers and all. Luckily, David was aware that this particular gum contained a sweetener called xylitol.

Scamp ate a toxic dose of xylitol but was saved by his Dad’s quick action.

He was not sure if this would be a problem for Scamp and, fortunately, he called us immediately to find out. Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs, so he headed right in on emergency. We induced vomiting and Scamp brought up much of the gum. Unfortunately, he ingested enough that he had to stay in the hospital on IV fluids and glucose supplementation for 24 hours. Low blood sugar and liver failure were concerns for Scamp, but because David acted quickly and Scamp was treated appropriately, he came through with flying colors.

Xylitol is a natural occurring alcohol in plants, and is a desired alternative to artificial sweeteners by many people. Because of differences in metabolism, xylitol is safe in humans but very toxic to dogs. Xylitol is gaining in popularity, and can now be found in many gums, some candies, toothpastes and children’s medications. More recently, health food stores began marketing peanut and other nut butter brands containing xylitol.

This is very concerning to veterinarians considering that many people use peanut butters as a treat in a Kong or to give medications. Most dog-owners would not think twice if their dog pulled the peanut butter jar off the counter and cleaned it out. It has been very challenging to convince the manufacturers of these products to include warnings of its lethal consequences for dogs.

Until awareness increases, it is important to check your labels carefully. In fact, in writing this blog I realized that my Tom’s of Maine toothpaste contains xylitol with no warning about its toxic nature in dogs. It does, however proudly state on the label that no testing was done on animals. Veterinarians often recommend fatty acids as a treatment for a variety of conditions, and there are now fatty acid supplements containing xylitol.

Awareness is key, and if by some chance your dog ingests a product containing xylitol, act on it like Scamp’s dad did and call us immediately. We can usually give you a good idea if a toxic amount was ingested for the size of your pooch. It was rewarding to see Scamp head out the door the next day knowing there were no long lasting effects of his xylitol encounter.

~~Dr. Lisa

Partial list of human products containing xylitol

Canine Influenza

April 17, 2015/in Insights in Medicine /by Matthew Boisson

Thoughts on the influenza outbreak…….

The recent outbreak of a new strain of canine influenza in the Chicago area is a concerning time for dog owners. Since dissemination of information is so rapid in today’s day and age, it is very important that veterinarians inform themselves properly so that they are ready to answer questions from a frightened public.

When a situation like this comes up, there are a few places that Dr. Tolle and I get valuable information. Because we are members of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association (WSVMA), we receive email alerts with important information and resources. The WSVMA is particularly informative about local outbreaks of diseases. It is however, important for us to stay on top of contagious diseases in other parts of the country and even internationally.

Location of spring 2015 Canine Influenza outbreak.

Map showing location of cases of the new strand of canine influenza.

Pets (and their diseases) Travel

I am sure many of you are aware of the increase importation of dogs and cats into our area, especially from rescue groups. The first time I really dealt with this as a veterinarian was following Hurricane Katrina. We had a large influx of adopted dogs from the New Orleans area. It was a very joyful time for me to meet these wonderful dogs and their thrilled new owners. It was important that I brushed up on my knowledge of heartworm and other parasites seen frequently in the South but not in the Pacific Northwest. Since then we have seen many dogs adopted from Mexico, Taiwan, Guatemala, ect.

Share good information

Once we get information about an outbreak, we make sure to share this with our staff at our staff meetings. We help to provide them with appropriate recommendations and links for clients. Dr. Tolle and I also discuss and continue to monitor for the need for preventive measures such as vaccinations or recommendations for limiting exposure.

The current Canine Influenza outbreak

As for this new influenza outbreak, our hospital will be screening calls for flu-like symptoms and asking more detailed questions about travel history. We do have an isolation unit in our hospital with a separate entrance to prevent exposure to other patients. Please call us with any questions you have about this new strain of influenza. We will update our website as new information emerges. Hopefully, we will all be educated, prepared and never actually treat a case in the Poulsbo or Bainbridge Island area.

~~Dr. Lisa

Here are some helpful links from the AVMA:

Canine influenza: Pet Owners’ Guide

Canine influenza FAQ

Toxic Hazards of Spring

March 16, 2015/4 Comments/in Insights in Medicine /by Matthew Boisson

Gardening is a favorite springtime activity in the Poulsbo & Bainbridge Island area that often uses products that are toxic to dogs and cats to achieve the beautiful results we all enjoy. Our early spring means it is not too soon to think about the hazards in our own back yards. Pets often come in on emergency for ingestion of outdoor toxins that their owners (or their neighbors) were not even aware were harmful.

Most Common Outdoor Toxin
Probably the most common spring time hazard that we encounter is slug and snail bait ingestion. Often, pet owners avoid using slug baits containing metaldehyde, because they understand that these are significantly toxic. Their neighbors, particularly ones without pets of their own, may not share this awareness.

Dr. Lisa’s dog, Payton, who thought it was a good idea to eat slugbait.

I am sad to admit that one of my own dogs years ago ingested metaldehyde slug bait when visiting my parents. Their yard was not fenced, and the neighbor had spread some that day. It is very attractive to dogs, and causes muscle tremors, hypersalivation, and even seizures and death. Fortunately, my dog Payton was treated quickly and recovered fully.

I think many pet owners opt for the “pet friendly” slug baits containing iron phosphate. They are relatively safer, but when ingested in large amounts (as dogs often do) they can cause significant gastrointestinal signs and iron toxicity. Because of this, the hosta plants in my yard look like swiss cheese.

Story of my Worst Outdoor Toxin case
One of the worse insecticide toxicities I have ever dealt with, was 2 dogs that ingested a rose plant treatment containing disyston. Both dogs developed difficulty breathing, and the ASPCA poison control veterinarian said that there was a significant probability of death if they were not treated with an antidote. The closest place we could locate the antidote was Stevens Hospital in Everett. The owner jumped on a ferry and returned with the antidote, and really saved her own dog’s lives.

A less toxic hazard

Kerry got ill and recovered from eating Coco Mulch

Kerry got a big bellyache from eating Coco Mulch.

Much less toxic, but still a cause of significant gastrointestinal signs is Cocoa Mulch. The cocoa bean shells can cause symptoms similar to a chocolate toxicity when ingested in large volumes. And what self-respecting Lab wouldn’t want to consume large quantities of dirt that smells like chocolate!

A word about Toxic plants
Plants are also a significant source of toxicities and there are so many of them. The ASPCA maintains a database of plants that are toxic to companion animals at http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants. It is an excellent reference to check out before adding plants to your garden. One plant that I would like to mention because it is so toxic to cats, are lilies. I am talking about true lilies, the Tiger, Day, Easter, or Asiatic type. Ingestion of small amounts, such as just the pollen or 2-3 petals or leaves can cause severe kidney failure. They are so beautiful and fragrant, and often sent in floral arrangements by well intentioned friends, but really should be avoided if kitties are in the house.

Stay safe with prior proper planning
It is always a good idea to keep both our number (360•779•6534) as well as the number for ASPCA poison control (888•426•4435) on hand.

I hope this will help you and your four-legged buddies enjoy this beautiful time of year!

Dr. Lisa

Pet Food Myths

February 10, 2015/in Insights in Medicine /by Matthew Boisson

Let’s take a look at a couple of today’s pet food marketing myths……….

The other day during an appointment a client mentioned that she was unable to purchase her dog’s food at a local pet food store. They refused to carry it because it “contained byproducts”. The word byproduct has become a dirty word in today’s world. I think most of us think byproducts are the “dirty” parts of the animals that are not fit for human consumption and thrown into pet foods.

Byproducts have been defined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) as “clean parts of slaughtered animals”, for example, liver, kidney, heart and tripe. These are parts of the animals that people in our country have decided not to eat, but are considered delicacies in other countries. These organs are very good sources of protein, and are considered very palatable. They are consumed first by wild dogs such as wolves and coyotes. Byproducts are beneficial to pet foods as long as they are manufactured by a quality company.

Another dirty word in the pet food industry is corn. The two words that I think people often associate with corn in pet foods is “filler” and “allergies”. Actually, corn allergies are quite rare in dogs and cats. I believe that corn is linked to allergies in many people’s minds, is because it was often found in pet foods that contained beef. Thus, when the diet was changed to one with a different protein source other than beef, the skin or gastrointestinal allergies improved, even though the corn was not the cause of the allergy. Fillers are defined as ingredients with no nutritional value. Corn is a very digestible grain that provides fiber, essential fatty and amino acids, as well antioxidants.

Of course, byproducts and corn are only beneficial to pets when they are in the hands of manufacturers that are committed to quality and health. What I would suggest, is not closing the door on a food simply based on the words corn or byproduct on the ingredient list. I think there are both poor and high quality pet foods out there that contain both of these items.

There are so many choices available today. Investigate and take the time to look beyond the marketing to find the best nutrition for your friend.

Interested in further reading about how to evaluate on-line pet information?

Distinguishing between cat food facts and myths on the internet.

Distinguishing between dog food facts and myths on the internet.

Choosing pet food

December 29, 2014/1 Comment/in Insights in Medicine /by Matthew Boisson

How to choose what to feed your pet?

This is a topic that I always wish I had more time to delve into during my appointments. It is also a sensitive topic, as there are many different factors that go into why a family chooses a particular diet for their pet such as price, ease of purchasing, families health background and philosophy on food, etc. It is often heartwarming to see how much thought and care most of my clients put into this decision, and I understand how confusing and overwhelming it can be. With the explosion of pet food companies and stores, as well as input from well meaning friends and pet food store employees, it can leave your head spinning.

When I recently acquired my new puppy, Butters, I felt it was a good time to attack the process of choosing the right food for my new friend head-on. I spent many Saturdays while my son was napping pouring over information on the internet that is out there for consumers as well as using the Veterinary Information Network that allows veterinarians like myself to ask questions of veterinarians that are board certified in nutrition. Wow! The volume of information did make my head spin. What I came away with is a series of questions to ask about the pet food diet you are interested in, to make sure it is designed with the best quality and nutrition (as opposed to marketing) in mind.

Dr. Lisa teaching Hudson to feed Butters while Butters learns to wait patiently.

1. Does the AAFCO nutritional statement say that it is complete and balanced?

AAFCO stands for Association of American Feed Control Officials. Similar to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), AAFCO is a voluntary organization of agencies charged with safeguarding animal feed. The group establishes best practice standards. AAFCO does not regulate, test or certify products. It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to meet the standards and the responsibility of the consumer to only choose food that meets the standards. For more info check out aafco.org/Consumers and/or petfood.aafco.org.

2. Is the food appropriate for the life stage of your pet?

Your pet goes through various lifestages (baby, juvenile, adult, senior, geriatric) just like you do. As a pet ages their nutritional needs change. You should be prepared to reevaluate your pet’s diet every time they reach a new stage of life. Some diets are marketed as being for “all lifestages.” This is counter-intuitive, so research these diets with particular care to make sure they have gone through independent testing to support that claim.

3. Has the diet gone through AAFCO feeding trials?

This is actually less common than you would expect. The feeding trials allow the veterinarians on staff to conduct feeding tests that prove nutritional adequacy. There is significant time and expense to do this, but it definitely gives consumers confidence that this is a well balanced diet.

4. Is there a Veterinary Nutritionist on the food company’s staff?

I was amazed on my quest for a quality diet for Butters how few pet food companies said yes.

5. Who formulates the diets, and what are their credentials?

Surprisingly, the answer is often people with no formal educational background in small animal nutrition.

6. What specific quality control measures are used to guarantee consistency and quality of the food?

Again, AAFCO has developed standards and best practices. Does the manufacturer of the food you’re interested in follow them?

7. Is there a system for tracking recalls?

There should be and the company should be able to share with you exactly what it is.

Finding the answers to these questions can really help you distinguish between excellent marketing and a truly quality diet that has proven to be nutritionally beneficial to your pet. Good Luck! And please remember that the staff at CAWC is always happy to help you dig through the info and answer questions.

For additional info check out www.petnutritionalliance.org or wsava recommendations for selecting pet foods.

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