THAT’S NOT FOR YOU, PUP

By Dr. Ruben Castro

The official first day of spring begins March 20, and the climate here in the RGV is changing as we are experiencing cool nights and warm days. These temperatures won’t last long; before we know it, the days and nights are warm and humid! Spring is also the season of Easter, and with it, potential dangers that you’ll want to avoid with your dog.

Dogs are curious creatures by nature and won’t hesitate to investigate new things within reach, like Easter Baskets and chocolate eggs. These treats might be great for us but toxic to your dog. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind to help protect your dog:

People generally know that chocolate is toxic for dogs. Still, there are other foods that we usually consume that are dangerous for your dog, especially Easter eggs that contain or are made from chocolate. Chocolate, coffee, and caffeine contain methylxanthines, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, excessive thirst and urination, panting, seizures, abnormal heart rhythm, and even death. Not all chocolates are the same! White chocolate has lower levels of methylxanthines, baking chocolate has the highest, and dark chocolate is more deadly than milk chocolate.

If you are an avid fan of chewing gum, check the ingredients because there is a good chance it may contain an ingredient called xylitol, a sugar substitute. When dogs ingest chewed or unchewed gum containing xylitol, they will begin to experience vomiting, weakness, depression, hypokalemia (below-average potassium levels), seizures, coma, or death. Not all chewing gums contain xylitol, but it can be found in popular chewing gum brands such as Orbit, Trident, Mentos, and Extra, to name a few.

Table scraps are very bad for dogs, especially with the many family cookouts that occur on Easter Sunday. Consuming meat served with sides should not be shared with dogs. Dogs who ingest avocados can experience gastrointestinal upset and pancreatitis. Onions, garlic, and chives can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage and anemia when ingested.Once you make your way to the beach, put doggie botties on your dog so its paws don’t get burned by the hot sand. Early morning or later in the evening are perfect times for your dog to roam around on the sand. If you have a dog that has sensitive skin, then apply some lotion on it or dog sunscreen so that its skin doesn’t get sunburned.

Nuts are not good. Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia in dogs. Almonds, pecans, and walnuts contain elevated amounts of oils and fats, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis.pancreatitis.

Salty snacks such as potato chips, pretzels, and salted popcorn contain significant amounts of sodium, which can poison your dogs if they ingest a considerable amount. Too much salty snack intake can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, seizures, elevated body temperatures, and even death.

If your dog has consumed any of the foods mentioned, especially those highly toxic, you can take them to Pet Doctor 911 in North McAllen or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Having pet insurance for your dog is also a good idea. One helpful suggestion is to apply for CareCredit, which Pet Doctor 911, as well as some dental and medical clinics, accept.

Dr. Castro is a proud Catholic who is a husband, father, and educator born and raised in the RGV. He is a graduate of Northcentral University with a doctorate in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership. He also holds a Master of Science in Sociology from the University of Texas-Pan American and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, with a minor in Psychology from the University of Texas-Pan American. Dr. Castro’s current research focuses on Education, Crime and Deviance, and Race and Ethnicity. He is also the owner of the K&B Dog Learning Cener, Inc. www.kbdoglearningcenter.com