Carroll County Animal Protection League

               CCAPL - P.O.Box 353-Carrollton, Ohio 44615

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CocoaMulch from Target and other stores ALERT! Poisonous things to dogs and cats!

Even if you don't have a pet, please pass this on to those who do. A tragedy and a special message!

Over the weekend the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. They loved the way it
smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog Calypso decided that the mulch smelled good enough to eat and
devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way.

The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk. Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.

Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's website, this product is HIGHLY toxic to
dogs and cats. Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that 'It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it.'

This Snopes.com site gives the following information: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp

Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal Ingredient called 'Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate an d it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks.. Just a word of caution, check what you are using in your gardens and be aware of what your gardeners are using in your gardens.

Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.

PLEASE GIVE THIS THE WIDEST DISTRIBUTION!!!

The Following is courtesy of Good Housekeeping June 2007:

10 Pet Dangers You Didn't Know About and more!

When my husband and I got our black lab, Ivory, we took all the steps we thought necessary to puppy-proof our home.  Chocolate off the living-room table-check.  Electrical cords taped up-check.  Then I heard a news story about a dog that got his tongue caught in his owner's paper shredder.  Could there still be serious dangers in our house that we didn't even know about?  Experts say, "yes."  "Over a thousand pets suffer each year because they get into seemingly innocuous household items," says Steven Hansen, D.V.M., of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Animal Poison Control Center.  Here, 10 hazards to watch out for:

Sugar Substitutes

If your dog steals a diet cookie, call a vet.  Xylitol-a sweetener used in many sugar-free candies, chewing gums, baked goods, and toothpastes-can cause low blood sugar and liver damage in dogs, reports a study published last year in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.  And it doesn't take that much xylitol to create problems:  The study says s 22-pound dog that ingests just a gram of the stuff should be treated by a vet.

Liquid Potpourri

A Cat or dog can be badly burned lapping up hot oils and detergents.  And many of the liquid-potpourri ingredients can breed ulcers in your animal's mouth, throat, and/or gastrointestinal tract.  The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has seen 330 such cases since 2001, most involving cats.  (Experts think the formulas are also toxic to dogs, but cats appear more sensitive to exposure and are more likely to climb up to reach simmer pots.)  About 10% of incidents are life-threatening.

Medications

No sensible pet owner would leave an open prescription bottle within paw's reach.  But beware of closed childproof containers as well:  "Animals can crush them," warns Dr. Hansen.  "I once gave my dog an empty bottle with its cap on and timed how fast she could open it, "he says.  "She knocked it around and chewed on it-and got it open within 15 seconds."  The scariest part:  Swallowing prescription pills could kill your pet.  So keep you four-footed friends away from all medication, closed or open.

Lilies

They make a dazzling centerpiece, but can also be lethal to you cat:  The ASPCA receives dozens of calls each spring from pet owners whose kitty ata a lily.  "Ingesting even very small amounts can resulet in kidney damage, " says Ann Hohenhaus, D.V.M., chair of the department of medicine at the Animal Medical Center in New York City.  Dogs can also get sick from eating azalea or rhododendron, which can lead to vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness, depression of the central nervous system, and, in rare cause, death.

Polyurethane Glue

You'd never think this stuff would attract your dog, but the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center reports a 309% increase in glue-related incidents since 2002.  "Dogs see a bottle lying on the floor and think it's a toy," explains Dr. Hansen.  But glue, he says, is bad news.  "When swallowed, it goes to the stomach, absorbs moisure, and expands to form a large, rock-like mass."  So if your dog's stomach is swollen, take him to a vet:  The pooch may need to have a glob of glue surgically removed.

Onions and Garlic

They contain disulfides, sulfur compounds that can cause gastrointestinal irritation to pets and harm their red blood cells.  "One year, at Passover time, I treated a dog with severe anemia," recalls Dr. Hohenhaus.  "It turned out she's eaten too much of Grandma's chopped liver, which was loaded with onions and garlic."  Tip:  Don't let your pet stick his snout in the trash.  "If an animal comes across a leftover roast covered with onions, he thinks, Bonus!" says Dr. Hohenhaus.  "The next thing you know, he's vomiting all the way to the ER."

Grapes and Raisins

"We're not sure why they're so toxic to dogs, but they can trigger gastrointestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea, or more commonly, kidney failure," says Karen Halligan, D.V.M., director of veterinary services at the ASPCA of Los Angeles and author of Doc Halligan's What Every Pet Owner Should Know.  In fact, of the 140 cases the ASPCA saw between April 2003 and 2004, may were life-threatening,---and seven dogs ultimately died.

See below for another article on this topic.

Pennies

While a pooch can choke on any coin, pennies are particularly dangerous because they're made with zinc, which is toxic to animals.  (When a penny sits in your pet's stomach, the zinc leaches out into the red blood cells, resulting in severe anemia and kidney problem.)  The newer the penny, the more likely it is to be deadly.  That's because pennies minted afer 1982 are 99.2% zince; those minted earlier are only 5%.

Macadamia Nuts

Dogs have become dramatically ill from ingesting just a handful of these.  The nuts contain an unknown toxin that can upset your pet's digestive tract and muscles, setting off severe weakness (and sometimes paralysis), mild vomiting, and diarrhea.  The good news: Virtually all dogs recover within 48 hours of ingestion, whether or not they're treated by a vet.

Pine-Oil Cleaners

Scrub you floor with something else-the phenol in these products can cause serious liver damage in cats, says Dr. Hohenhaus.  And it doesn't take much for a kitty to be exposed: Your fur ball might unknowingly lap up a spill-or just lick the wet stuff off her feet.

The following is courtesy of the Ohio Department of Health (www.odh.ohio.gov/ODHProgams/RABIES/rabies1.htm)

Take the Bite Out of Rabies

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a virus that attacks the brain and nervous system.  It can infect all mammals and is seen mostly in bats, skunks, racoons, and other wild animals.  People can also get the disease.  Once a person or animal becomes sick with rabies, they will usually die.

How do people get Rabies?

The virus is in the saliva of an infected animal.  People get rabies by being bitten by a rabid animal or by getting salvia from the animal into an open cut or mucous membrane (nose, mouth, or eyes).

How can I tell if an animal has Rabies?

Usually, the first sign of rabies is a change in the animal's behavior.  They can become aggressive, attacking for no reason, or they may become very quiet.  Wild animals can lose their fear of people and act tame.  Rabid animals my walk in a circle, drag a leg, or fall over.  Some cannot swallow so they are not able to eat or drink and often drool.  Animals usually die within a week after first becoming ill.

What should I do if I am bitten by an animal?

• Wash the wound with lots of soap and water right away.
• Call your doctor.
• Capture the animal, if you can do it safely, or get the name and address of the animal's owner.

If the biting animal is dead.

• Wear gloves or use a shovel to move the animal.
• Put the animal's body in a heavy-duty plastic bag and place it in a cold place away from people and other animals.
• Clean the area with one part bleach to ten parts water.
• Call your local health department.

Can Rabies be prevented?

Yes!  If you are exposed to a rabid animal, you get one shot of rabies immune globulin and a series of five shots of vaccine.  The vaccine is given in the arm.  Treatment must begin soon after the exposure to be effective.

How can my health department help?

Your local health department will place the biting dog, cat or ferret under a quarantine, usually at the owner's home.  If the animal remains healthy during quarantine, the person bitten was not exposed to the rabies virus.  Wild animals and stray animals are usually tested.  Unfortunately, this means the animal must be killed because the test is done on the brain.  Your local health department can advise you and your veterinarian on how to have this done.  They will also know the risk of animal rabies in your community.  This may be important to your doctor if the animal is not available for testing or quarantine.

Reporting an animal bite

Have this information ready:

• How and where the bite occurred .
• Breed and description of the animal (color, markings, long or short hair).
• If it was a pet, name and address of owner.
• If the owner is unknown, was the animal wearing a collar or tags.
• Whether the animal has been seen in the area and what direction it was traveling.

What can I do to protect my family and pets from Rabies?

AVOID contact with wildlife and animals you do not know.

VACCINATE your dogs, cats, and ferrets for rabies and keep them current.

CALL your doctor if bitten.  Call your veterinarian if your pet fought with a wild animal.

How can I stop uninvited wildlife guests?

• Bring pet food in at night
• Tightly cover your trash
• Board up openings to your home
• Cap your chimney

Where can I get more information on Rabies?

Your local health department will have information on rabies in your area.  You can also call the Ohio Department of Health, Zoonosis information line at (888) RABIES-1 or (888)772-4371

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL HOUSE CAT & DOG DANGERS!  

1. ACETAMINOPHEN (aspirin) - FATAL IF SWALLOWED!

2. DYE

3. LAXATIVES

4. RAT POISON

5. ANTIFREEZE- ONE VERY SMALL AMOUNT IS FATAL!

6. DEODORANT

7. MOTHBALLS

8. SUNTAN LOTION

9. SHOE POLISH

10. POINSETTIA

11. CHOCOLATE

12. ONIONS

13. SUGARLESS GUM

 

This is true:
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/xylitol.asp


Warning to all dog owners - pass this on to everyone you can.  Last Friday evening, I arrived home from work, fed Chloe, our 24 Lb.  dachshund, just as I normally do.  Ten minutes later I walked into the den just in time to see her head inside the pocket of Katie's friend's purse.  She had a guilty look on her face so I looked closer and saw a small package of sugar-free gum. It contained xylitol.  I remembered that I had recently read that sugar-free gum can be deadly for dogs so I jumped on line  and looked to see if xylitol was the ingredient.  I found the first website below and it was the one. Next, I called our vet.  She said to bring her in immediately.

Unfortunately, it was still rush hour and it took me almost 1/2 hour to get there.  Meanwhile, since this was her first case, our vet found another
website to figure out the treatment.  She took Chloe and said they would induce her to vomit, give her a charcoal drink to absorb the toxin (even
though they don't think it works) then they would start an iv with dextrose. The xylitol causes dogs to secrete insulin so their blood sugar drops very quickly.  The second  thing that happens is liver failure.  If that happens, even with aggressive treatment, it can be difficult to save them.  She told us she would call us.

Almost two hours later, the vet called and said that contents of her stomach contained 2-3 gum wrappers and that her blood sugar had dropped from 90 to 59 in 30 minutes.  She wanted us to take Chloe to another hospital that has a critical care unit operating around the clock.  We picked her up and took her there.  They had us call the ASPCA poison control for a case number and for a donation, their doctors would direct Chloe's doctor on treatment.  They would continue the iv, monitor her blood every other hour and then in 2 days test her liver function.  She ended up with a central line in her jugular vein since the one in her leg collapsed, just as our regular vet had feared. Chloe spent almost the entire weekend in the critical care hospital.  After her blood sugar was stabilized ed, she came home yesterday.  They ran all the tests again before they released her and so far, no sign of liver damage.  Had I not seen her head in the purse, she probably would have died and we wouldn't even had known why.

 Three vets told me this weekend, that they were amazed that I even knew about it since they are first learning about it too.  Please tell everyone
you know about xylitol and dogs.  It may save another life.

Raisin Alert

Written by:
Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic
Danville, Ohio

This week I had the first case in history of raisin toxicity ever seen at
MedVet. My patient that ate half a canister of raisins sometime between 7:30
AM and 4:30 PM on Tuesday. He started with vomiting, diarrhea and shaking
about 1AM on Wednesday but the owner didn't call my emergency service until
7AM.

I had heard somewhere about raisins AND grapes causing acute Renal failure
but hadn't seen any formal paper on the subject. We had her bring the dog in
immediately. In the meantime, I called the ER service at MedVet, and the
doctor there was like me - had heard something about it, but.... Anyway, we
contacted the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center and they said to
give IV fluids at 1 times maintenance and watch the kidney values for the
next 48-72 hours.

The dog's BUN (blood urea nitrogen level) was already at 32 (normal less
than 27) and creatinine over 5 (1.9 is the high end of normal). Both are
monitors of kidney function in the bloodstream. We placed an IV catheter and
started the fluids. Rechecked the renal values at 5 PM and the BUN was over
40 and creatinine over 7 with no urine production after a liter of fluids.
At the point I felt the dog was in acute renal failure and
sent him on to MedVet for a urinary catheter to monitor urine output
overnight as well as overnight care.

He started vomiting again overnight at MedVet and his renal values have
continued to increase ease daily. He produced urine when given Lasix as a
diuretic. He was on 3 different anti-vomiting medications and they still
couldn't control his vomiting. Today his urine output decreased again, his
BUN was over 120, his creatinine was at 10, his phosphorus was very elevated
and his blood pressure, which had been staying around 150,
skyrocketed to 220.. He continued to vomit and the owners elected to
euthanize.

This is a very sad case - great dog, great owners who had no idea raisins
could be a toxin. Please alert everyone you know who has a dog of this very
serious risk.

Poison control said as few as 7 raisins or grapes could be toxic. Many
people I know give their dogs grapes or raisins as treats including our
ex-handler's. Any exposure should give rise to immediate concern.