Dogs die due to lack of money for care
August 13, 2008
From BBC News: Okay, this one should have been obvious, but the RSPCA is encouraging indigent pet owners to ask for help if their pets have medical problems. It seems that Elizabeth Evans of Carmarthenshire just received a sentence of 200 hours of community service and 1000 pounds for allowing her two dogs to die rather than seeking out someone to help pay for their medical care.
It’s a Dog’s World
May 21, 2008
The American Pet Products Manufacturing Association estimates that people in the United States will spend $43.4 million on their animals this year, as compared to a paltry $41.2 million in 2007. What is it that we’re spending so much of our disposable income on? Laura Bennett, CEO of Embrace Pet Insurance has this to say about pet trends in 2008.
Xylitol Warning
May 1, 2008
My local news last night reported on a pet ferret that got into a pack of sugar-free gum and died from eating the Xylitol it contained. This seemed kind of far-fetched to me, so I checked it out. Turns out this very common sugar-substitute is indeed fatal to animals. I know my dogs have gotten into my purse to pull out gum before, but they are so big, I guess it wasn’t enough to hurt them.
The Knowles Animal Clinic in Miami has this to say on the subject:
“Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is used in sugar-free products such as gum and candy, as well as for baking and is used in the production of certain low-carbohydrate products now on the market.
As early as the 1960’s, experiments indicated a link between the ingestion of xylitol and hypoglycemia in dogs. However, it has only been recently that the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has begun to receive reports of xylitol toxicosis in dogs. It is believed that this recent rise is likely due to the increased use of products containing xylitol in the United States.”
When a dog eats Xylitol, it causes a huge insulin rush, throwing the dog into a coma similar to how a diabetic ends up when his blood sugar gets too low. In as little as 30 minutes, your dog may begin to show the symptoms such as :
Pretty scary stuff!
So, until next time, keep that sugar-free candy and gum away from all of your pets.
Good day, and good dog!
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