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Canine
Health Hazards
Batteries: if bitten into, the corrosive fluid can cause severe
ulcers in the mouth, esophagus and stomach. Intact batteries pose a
foreign body hazard in the GI tract.
Potpourri/potpourri oil: can cause severe burns to the mouth and
esophagus. The essential oils can affect the nervous system, causing
weakness, loss of coordination, and hypertension.
Houseplants:
many common houseplants are toxic to dogs (and cats) if/when chewed or injected.
Foods:
Chocolate:
dark chocolates, cocoa and chocolate chips are more dangerous than milk
chocolate, but even milk chocolate can be deadly in large enough quantities.
Chocolate intoxication can result in hyperactivity, seizures, vomiting,
diarrhea, and life-threatening heart arrhythmias. The high amounts of
fat in most chocolate items can precipitate a bout of pancreatitis in
susceptible animals.
Bread dough: yeast from homemade bread produce alcohol-ingestion
of raw yeast dough can result in serious alcohol intoxication.
Additionally, there is a risk of bloat and gastrointestinal obstruction from
the dough as it rises in the stomach.
Coffee and espresso: caffeine is a no-no for dogs, as it acts as
a stimulant and can cause severe heart acceleration and seizures.
Macadamia nuts: can cause increased body temperature, muscle
stiffness, increased heart rate and tremors.
Alcohol: serious intoxications have occurred when dogs have been
given alcohol to drink as a "joke". Also, dogs seem to be attracted to
alcoholic drinks, so drinks should not be left unattended.
This list is by no means all-inclusive, but hopefully it will help you make your
home a safer place. Just because your dog is normally a "good dog" doesn't
mean that he/she won't succumb to temptation and get into something harmful.
One of the most common comments from pet owners is "but he's never bothered that
before!"
Better safe than
sorry!
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