Can dogs get H1N1?
As it turns out, yes dogs can get a strain of the virus and it may be coming here to the USA. In fact, it may already be here. The American Medical Veterinary Association reported last month that a cat in Iowa had contacted the H1N1 virus.
Since that point in time, two more cats have gotten the virus (one of them died) and China has stated that have identified the virus in two dogs. There is probably many more cases of H1N1 that has not been diagnosed as there has been little testing for the virus.
Do we have to worry about our pets getting us sick? One medical person says we may pose more risk to our pets than our pets to us. It has been reported that Dr. Tony Johnson, a clinical assistant professor at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, has said that the cats that have been diagnosed lived with human family members that had a respiratory illness.
The same appears to be true with the dogs in China.
It is too early to say; but it could be possible that once the disease mutates in pets it could be a health hazard to humans. Don’t flip out. Use common sense and the normal good health practices you would use in flu season.
To read more about H1N1, go to the American Medical Veterinary Association website or visit the news article at:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/12/01/petscol120109.DTL .
Dec 01, 2009 | | Dog Health
In light of the recent dog recall, I thought this might be a good time to mention another health concern for dogs.
Xylitol is a sugar substitute used in items such as chewing gum, mints, nicotine gum, chewable vitamins, and oral-care products. It is also purchased in granulated form and used as a sweetener for cereals, beverages, and baked goods. Caution – Xylitol is very toxic to dogs.
Xylitol has grown in popularity during the past few years, primarily because it is considered a good sugar subsitute for those on low-carbohydrate diets as well as those concerned with the glycemic index of foods. Xylitol is also popular among diabetics because it does not cause dramatic peaks of insulin production after use.
Unfortunately, as the popularity of xylitol products has increased so has the number of reported toxic exposures to dogs. In 2003, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center reported three cases of xylitol poisoning. In 2005, 193 cases were reported. And during just the first half of 2006, they received 114 reported cases of xylitol poisoning in dogs.
Most all of these poisonings occurred due to unawareness. Pet owners did not know that Xylitol is a dog poison.
Old research showed the primary Xylitol side effects on dogs was hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Recent research shows it has been discovered to produce acute and possibly life-threatening liver disease.
Dogs seem to absorb almost 100% of xylitol into their systems. Humans absorb only 50%. Only a small amount of xylitol is needed to produce toxic effects in dogs
Watch for these symptoms.
After ingesting xylitol, dogs may begin to vomit and develop hypoglycemia within an hour. Some dogs will develop liver failure within 12 to 24 hours after xylitol ingestion. One reported case involved a 3-year-old dog that ate five or six cookies containing the sweetener. It became ill 24 hours later and died the next day. If your dog ingests xylitol call your veterinarian immediately.
Pet owners who use xylitol-sweetened products in their home need to be aware of its toxic effect on dogs. Please tell your friends and neighbors who own dogs. They need to ensure that their dogs do not get ahold of any of these products.
It could be as innocent as a child or owner sharing a cookie with their best friend. The results could be tragic.
Link:
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Press Release http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_082106
Note: Xylitol’s effect on cats is currently unknown. Other sugar sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin, sorbitol, mannitol, and sucralose are generally regarded as safe for dogs. However, I see no reason to give any of these ingredients to a pet.
Mar 21, 2007 | | Dog Health
On Friday, Menu Foods issued a recall on “wet” dog and cat foods. Go here for the recall information. You can also call 1-866-895-2708.
An undisclosed number of owners have reported vomiting and kidney failure in their dogs and cats after feeding them certain products. The actual source of the problem with the foods has not yet been identified.
Here are the products that have been recalled:
Dog Foods
Cat Foods
DO NOT CONTINUE TO FEED THESE FOODS!
In the meanwhile, watch your pets for any signs of kidney failure. The signs of kidney failure include loss of appetite, vomiting, and lethargy.
If your pet displays these symptoms, go to your veterinarian immediately.
Looking carefully at the list, I see both premium and discount foods. This is not the first recall of pet foods in the last year. I will discuss this in more depth in the future.
Mar 19, 2007 | | Dog Health