Pets Best Insurance Blog

Blog posts Categorized under ‘Dog Health Info’

Why Does My Lab Itch and Scratch? Is it Dog Allergies?

Posted on: April 1st, 2013 by


Dr. Fiona Caldwell is a veterinarian guest blogger for Pets Best Insurance, a provider of dog insurance and cat insurance.

Hi. I’m Dr. Fiona Caldwell; I’m a veterinarian at Idaho Veterinary Hospital. I’m answering some questions from Pet’s Best’s Facebook page today. This question comes from Rebecca, who asks: Why does my Lab always have a skin problem; itch, scratch?

This is a great question, and obviously, very, very common. There’s several different reasons that can cause a pet to be itching and scratching. Probably the biggest ones to consider, external parasites are a big one; making sure your pet doesn’t have fleas or mites that kind of thing. The other large thing that can cause an itchy dog are allergies. There’s really 2 big components to allergies, one is your food allergies and other are environmental allergies.

Working with a veterinarian is really important because allergies are really frustrating. There isn’t a magic pill; (more…)

Pet Poison: Chocolate

Posted on: March 23rd, 2013 by

chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats.Dr. Marc is a veterinarian guest blogger for pet insurance provider, Pets Best. 

Signs and Symptoms

Though there is an extensive list of possible symptoms after chocolate ingestion, the most common are as follows: Vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity (such as excitation, restlessness, or panting), tremors and convulsions, seizures, racing heart rate, arrhythmia (when the heart cannot beat properly in a normal rhythm), and in severe cases death.

After chocolate ingestion, it takes nearly four days for it to work out of an animal’s system. Because of this, symptoms can progress and last for the entire 4 days that it takes an animals body to clear the toxin.

Why and How is Chocolate Toxic

Chocolate is processed by grinding hulled cacao beans. The product that results from this grinding is called chocolate liquor. Within the chocolate liquor is a chemical called theobromine. This chemical is the reason that chocolate is toxic to pets (both cats and dogs). The more chocolate liquor found in a product, the more toxic it is to a pet, therefore less of it needs to be ingested for more serious symptoms. The highest theobromine content is found in baking chocolate, followed by semisweet/dark chocolate, and lastly milk chocolate. Toxic doses of theobromine are 9 milligrams per pound. Meaning that a 20-pound animal would need to eat 8.2 ounces of milk chocolate, or just 0.9 ounces of baking chocolate to achieve a toxic dose.

What to Do if Your Dog or Cat Eats Chocolate (more…)

Pet Poison: NSAID Pain Killers

Posted on: March 22nd, 2013 by

nsaid pain killers are toxic to dogs and cats.Dr. Fiona is a veterinarian guest blogger for pet insurance provider, Pets Best.

Common human NSAIDs have varying degrees of toxicity to dogs and cats and should be avoided in pets.

What are NSAIDs?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) control pain by reducing inflammation and blocking precursors to pain.

Common Human NSAIDs

The most common include:

Aspirin

Ibuprofen (Advil)

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Naproxen (Aleve)

Are There Safe Animal NSAIDs?

Yes, there are animal specific NSAIDs available by veterinary prescription. That being said, not all dog-safe drugs are safe for cats!  Never give a drug prescribed for one pet to another without veterinary advise.

Many animal medications have been flavored in order to make administering the pills easier for us.  Dogs will not uncommonly mistake these for treats if they are within reach. Even if the drug is safe for pets, an overdose can occur if too much is ingested.

Why Are Human NSAIDs Toxic to Pets? (more…)

Pet Poison: Sugar-Free Products

Posted on: March 21st, 2013 by

sugar free gum and mints are toxic to dogs.Dr. Marc is a veterinarian guest blogger for pet insurance provider, Pets Best.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is used to replace sugar in products. It is commonly used in sugar-free gums, mints, candy and even toothpaste. Check labels and keep any products with xylitol far away from your dogs. Xylitol is a known toxin in dogs, however it is not clear the affect it has on cats.

Why and How is Xylitol Toxic to Dogs

In humans, xylitol is absorbed very slowly and has little effect on blood sugar and insulin levels. In dogs, however, xylitol is absorbed very rapidly into the bloodstream. This rapid absorption can cause a widespread release of insulin, which is what causes hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Xylitol can also cause liver failure, which may lead to bleeding problems and death.

What Amount of Xylitol is Toxic?

Very little xylitol can be extremely toxic to dogs. In a 20 pound dog, as little as one or two pieces of gum may cause hypoglycemia (0.1g/kg).

Signs and Symptoms (more…)

Pet Poison: Rat Bait

Posted on: March 19th, 2013 by

rat and mice poison is also poison for your dog.Dr. Fiona is a veterinarian guest blogger for pet insurance provider, Pets Best.

Many efforts have been made to control rodent populations and keep them out of our homes. Rat poison is effective, but can pose a risk to your pets.

How Toxic is Rat Poison to My Dog or Cat?

Toxicity depends on the type and formulation of rat poison (rodenticide), as well as how big your pet is and how much they ate. Bottom line, if you think your pet ate ANY rat poison, you should immediately seek veterinary attention.

Can My Pet Get Sick from Eating a Rodent that Has Eaten the Poison?

Yes. It’s more likely to occur if a smaller pet ate a big rat with a belly full of bait. However, dogs and cats that consume rodents on a regular basis and therefore get consistent low doses of the toxin are at risk for ‘relay toxicosis’ due to how long the poison stays in the body and accumulates.

Are All Rat Poisons the Same? How Does Rat Poison Kill? (more…)

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