Search results for: “What Dog Food Has No Corn”

A hungry hound from Glasgow has undergone life-saving surgery to remove 4ft of his intestines – all because he swallowed an item of food that many people eat on a regular basis.

Food based emergencies are frequently seen by vets, whether it’s food that is toxic to dogs, dogs eating too much of a food or dogs eating things they thought were food but weren’t. Regularly human food often finds itself in to the stomachs of our dogs and in most cases it’s no cause for alarm, but sometimes dogs eat things that can prove fatal to them.

Eating a corn-on-the-cob is not a good idea if you’re a dog.

Rhodesian Ridgeback crossbreed, Sam (7), had an emergency operation to remove around half of his small intestine after PDSA vets discovered the corn husk was causing it to rot away.

PDSA Senior Vet, Susie Hermit, from the vet charity’s Glasgow Shamrock Street Pet Hospital, said it was one of the most severe cases she had ever seen:

“We found that the corn on the cob husk was causing a major blockage in Sam’s small intestine, restricting the blood supply.

“Unfortunately, some of the damage was irreversible and we had to remove around half of his intestine, which had begun to die off and rot. Sam was very lucky to survive. He was at high risk of developing potentially-fatal blood poisoning and the operation to remove such a large section of his intestines was incredibly risky.”

Sam’s owner, Lorraine Graham (43), from Tollcross, was petrified at the thought of losing her beloved pet.

She said: “We first noticed something was wrong was when Sam started being sick. and it gradually got worse until he was being sick every 20 minutes.

“I couldn’t believe it when PDSA x-rayed him and told us what was causing the blockage. We hadn’t been eating corn on the cob so he must have picked it up while outside,” she said.

“He was so weak and lethargic that I knew he was facing the fight of his life. Thankfully he pulled through and I can’t thank PDSA enough for saving him.”

“We’re extra careful with him now but I’m really happy that he’s made such a good recovery. He’s back to his old self again and is eating normally which is great.”

PDSA vets are issuing a warning to pet owners ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend, as many people may be planning barbecues.

Corn on the cob was one of the most common items removed from pets last year with 28 cases treated by PDSA. Other strange items swallowed by pets include bones (51 cases) and kebab sticks (7).

Thanks to funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, PDSA is educating pet owners about the phenomenon of pets eating strange objects – known as ‘pica’ – and how to keep their animals’ safe.

Susie added: “Pets like to use their mouth to investigate objects as well as to eat. Puppies and younger pets will often swallow an item by mistake, even though they had only meant to investigate it.

“Something like corn on the cob might seem harmless enough but if an object moves along the digestive system, as it did with Sam, it can cause a tear or life-threatening blockage.

“If you have pets at home, try to keep anything dangerous or easy to swallow out of paws’ reach. Only let them play with suitable pet toys and try to supervise them to avoid any accidents. If you do suspect your pet has swallowed something you should contact your vet for advice immediately.”

BBQ safety tips

Skip the scraps: Eating barbecue scraps can upset your pet’s stomach. Undercooked, unfamiliar or fatty food can cause vomiting and diarrhoea
Bit it: Throw away any leftover food and rubbish into a lidded dustbin. At PDSA our vets often see pet who have eaten corn on the cob cores. These can cause a serious blockage and need removing by surgery
Keep fuel well out of reach: Lighter fluid can prove fatal if ingested as it contains hydrocarbons, which are derived from crude oil
Keep pets well away from flames and glowing embers: With all that fur around, your four-legged friends could get severe burns. So make sure they steer clear
Slap on the suncream: Pets can suffer from sunburn and heatstroke just like us. So give your pets some suncream, shade and plenty of water. For white fur or damaged skin, special pet suncreams are available from pet shops
Think when you drink: Keep glasses and drinks out of reach of thirsty pets. Alcohol can be particularly hazardous for pets. Use plastic cups as glass bottles, mugs and tea cups can easily smash into splinters to pierce paw

Many people consider their pets as part of the family. When a person is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, the challenges and stress from the illness become the priority, and a pet may be overlooked. A program called Pet Peace of Mind is helping families alleviate the stress of caring for a pet while dealing with an end of life situation.

"I know of countless numbers of older adults – widows and widowers, veterans, those living with chronic illnesses and those on hospice care – who have said that their pet is their lifeline," says Dianne McGill, President of Pet Peace of Mind.

Pet Peace of Mind has helped thousands of people with pet care needs and preserves the bond that exists between hospice patients and their pets through the patient’s end-of-life journey.

Non-profit hospice programs can apply to become a Pet Peace of Mind program partner. If awarded, the organization is given the education and tools necessary to run a successful program.

Pet Peace of Mind is the focus of the newest video from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s public awareness campaign, "Moments of Life: Made Possible by Hospice."

Cornerstone Hospice patient Donna Sarner – featured in the video – is 68 years-old and lives in a small, rural town in Central Florida. She has late-stage cancer, which causes her a great deal of pain throughout her back, abdomen and legs, and limits her ability to care for her dogs, cats, and various other animals around her property.

The Pet Peace of Mind volunteers at Cornerstone Hospice are helping Sarner by delivering dog and cat food regularly and transporting her dogs to the veterinarian for vaccinations and medication.

"Along with caring for the dogs, our program arranged to have the stray cats she feeds spayed, neutered, and vaccinated," says Kristine Murtz, volunteer services manager and Pet Peace of Mind program coordinator at Cornerstone Hospice.

Sarner is adamant about keeping at least one of her four dogs by her side, and grateful that the Pet Peace of Mind volunteers are committed to making that happen. "She understands that it may not be realistic to have the three large dogs with her until the end, and we are already looking for loving homes for them," says Murtz.

The "Moments of Life" public awareness campaign, launched by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, features stories from hospices and palliative care programs across the United States of patients and families experiencing hospice and palliative care first hand.

https://youtu.be/5LQ_m2aZXKQ

Heath Veterinary Clinic in Burgess Hill and Hurstpierpoint is warning dog owners of the dangers of acorns. The veterinary clinic has recently had a case of a dog becoming very ill from eating these seemingly innocuous nuts.

Max, a 4 year old Yellow Labrador, had been happily playing in the woods with acorns and leaves but his owners didn’t realise he had been swallowing the acorns. Late Friday night, they noticed Max becoming lethargic, acting out of character, unable to settle and drooling excessively, so they contacted Heath Vets who advised them to bring Max into the clinic straight away.

The poorly pooch was examined by Vet, Nicky Chinneck, who was concerned that Max had ingested, or come into contact with, something toxic. She quickly gave him an emetic injection which induces vomiting. Within minutes, Max vomited up a large quantity of acorns.

It is common for dogs to be exposed to acorns during the autumn and winter months. Acorns contain tannic acid, which is believed to be the toxic component, and can cause damage to the liver and kidneys. Signs of toxic illness can include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, a lack of appetite and lethargy. Ingested acorns can also cause an intestinal blockage.

Max felt very sorry for himself but started to improve quickly. The clinic staff fed him charcoal enhanced food to absorb any remaining remnants of the acorns in his stomach and intestines. Being a Labrador meant he was happy to be eating again, despite everything! Max’s initial blood tests show that his liver and kidneys have not been affected by the toxin but he will have further tests done after a week to check there is no lasting damage.

Sarah Solomon, Practice Manager at Heath Vets, said:

“Max’s owners acted quickly so Max should make a full recovery. Whilst it can be difficult to watch your dog’s every move when out walking them, it’s important to try and ensure they don’t eat or play with acorns due to the toxic ingredient. If Max hadn’t been treated so quickly, the outcome may have been very different. Be aware of the symptoms of toxicity and if you are concerned in any way about your pet, contact your vets immediately.”

Our dogs ears are prone to a variety of unpleasant problems. Whether it’s ear infections, debris, ear mites or damage caused by external sources. Here we outline the 5 most common dog ear problems so you know what to look out for when caring for your dog’s health…

The following are the top 5 common dog ear problems.

Allergies

An allergy is often caused by environmental irritants like dust or pollen. Or it caused by food ingredients. Symptoms of an allergy can be itchiness, inflamed ears, and paws. Feeding your dog with food low in allergen will help in preventing allergies. Low-allergen foods do not contain soy, corn, and wheat. Keeping the environment free from dust would be beneficial too. Consult a veterinarian if your dog happens to experience chronic ear infections, as they are experts in determining the cause of the recurring problem.

Ear Infections

Dog ear infections are commonly caused by ear mites, hygiene problems, obscene or warm environment, bacterial infections, and food allergies. Floppy-eared dogs are more likely to experience ear infections and can be a recurring problem. A warm and moist atmosphere caused by the ear flaps would be an ideal place for yeast and bacterial growth. A dog with an ear infection may experience noticeable ear wax discharges. It looks rusty or yellow ear discharges which has an unpleasant odor.

Debris in ears

Dogs’ ear debris must be removed regularly as part of hygiene. Common debris inside a dog’s ear can be foxtails, plant awns, and others. It is advisable to inspect the inner area of the dog’s ear for any possible debris. A regular ear cleaning would be necessary for debris prevention. Debris in a dog’s ear can be bothering and may lead to ear infection.

Parasites

Parasites like to live on your dog’s hair, skin, and even inside their ears. Many of dogs’ diseases are caused by dog parasites. Fleas, ticks, and mites suck your dog’s blood which affects their health. If a dog is constantly itching or scratching and experiencing hair loss, it is possible that there are parasites living on the dog’s body. It must be treated as soon as possible before it leads to a serious problem.

Trauma

It is commonly called dog ear hematoma. It is a type of ear injury that causes swelling. An ear hematoma can be unbearable for a dog. This serious ear problem can be treated through a surgery; however, if it is untreated it can lead to disfigurement of dog’s ear and nearby areas.

For more information on how to care for your dog’s ears, we recommend you take a look here: Ear problems in dogs.