Everyone has heard that dogs should not eat chocolate, but no one has heard of the toxicity of onion?
There are some foods that may create serious health problems for your dog and, unfortunately, not many people realize this. These foods are cooked and uncooked chocolate, onions, bones, mushrooms, macadamia nuts, garlic, avocados, grapes, raisins, and all spicy or fatty foods.
Most pet owners have, at one time or another, feed your dog food containing onion pizza, burgers, general table scraps or salsa. A small amount is unlikely to cause a problem since onion toxicity depends on the amount ingested onion. However, the onions in any form including cooked, raw, dried or powdered can create a serious life-threatening form of hemolytic anemia in dogs.
All blood cells carry a protein called hemoglobin that carries oxygen to tissues and our dog organs and tissues and organs. Onions contain a substance called thiosulfate that dogs and cats are unable to digest. Garlic also contains thiosulphate, but in much smaller quantities. Thiosulphate oxidation causes the hemoglobin in red blood cells of your dog, which then form clumps and weakened cell membranes. These bumps called Heinz bodies, protrude from the cells and eventually the cell to rupture and die. When enough red blood cells are destroyed the body becomes starved oxygen and enters a state of anemia.
A decrease in the number of red blood cells can cause a host of health problems for your dog including heart failure. The number of destroyed cells usually depends on the amount of onions consumed. However, some dogs have developed severe reactions, including after eating only a small amount of onion. In addition, small amounts of onion fed for a prolonged period of time can create a disease simply as a time of large doses may be due to the gradual accumulation of Heinz bodies.
Sometimes it takes several days for symptoms to begin to appear. Symptoms include but are not limited to: vomiting, weakness and lethargy, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, cyanosis (pale or blue) gums blood in urine or feces from the urine, decreased appetite, jaundice, and rapid heart rate. Onion severe toxicity can be fatal to your dog.
If you suspect your pet has the onion toxicity contact your veterinarian immediately. If ingestion was recent onion, intravenous fluids are usually a sufficient treatment. If the state of anemia is severe, prolonged hospital stay and blood transfusion may be needed.
Using the Common sense is the best way to prevent the toxicity of onion in your dog. Onions are very common in many human foods, including even baby food. Onions can be found in everything from meats, fast foods, spaghetti sauces, salsas, sauces, vegetable juice. Carefully check the ingredients on any leftover the table before you give your dog. Never add the onion in any form to homemade dog food recipes. Finally, make sure your garbage is kept covered and the dog-proof.
Please visit my website for more information on dog nutrition and recipes homemade dog food.
Jen Moore is a pet health expert on ezinearticles. Look for other pet health related issues at http://my-dog-has-fleas.com/
Sandra Lee – Fountain Dogs
