Q: We have a lot of plums falling from our tree and wonder if it
is safe for our dog, Rex, to eat them. Recently, you talked about
the dangers of grapes and raisins. Is there any problem with plums
if our dog gobbles them up?
Q: We have a lot of plums falling from our tree and wonder if it is safe for our dog, Rex, to eat them. Recently, you talked about the dangers of grapes and raisins. Is there any problem with plums if our dog gobbles them up?
A: Plums can be dangerous to your dog for several reasons. The pits of many stone fruit contain cyanide. Truth is, it would take quite a few pits to poison a mid-sized dog because there is so little of this chemical in each one. But the danger is real.
Grapes and raisins have been implicated in the deaths of some dogs that developed kidney failure after eating them. They represent a real danger to dogs that consume them.
On the other hand, if Rex eats five or six plums, he might be at risk for an intestinal blockage caused by the pits. Surgery to clear a blockage like this could be very expensive and painful for your pooch, so take the time to clean up around the tree or keep your pooch away from fallen fruit. You’ll both be better off.
Q: Can dogs suffer a stroke? For the last three days, our 11-year-old terrier walks around with his head tilted. It seems to be getting worse, and now he almost falls over. He’s eating and seems to feel OK otherwise. Is there anything that can be done for him?
A: Head tilt can be caused by several different medical conditions. A stroke or other cardiovascular disease is one possibility. But another potential problem is a condition called “old dog vestibular syndrome.” Here, the dog’s balance mechanism is upset. The result is a pooch that can’t stand and in severe instances, can’t even sit up. Veterinarians don’t really know why this occurs, but we do know that this poorly understood disease sometimes clears up spontaneously after time. Good nutrition and supportive care help speed the recovery.
I’d recommend you have your dog examined thoroughly to determine the cause of his head tilt. This exam should include a look in his ears to check for the presence of a foxtail or deep ear infection. A blood panel will also be necessary to determine if there are any underlying medical problems with your pooch. If none are found, and with proper treatment and time, he may be walking straight again.
Q: Our neighbor’s goat was just diagnosed with polio. We thought this disease had been eradicated. Is polio in goats contagious to humans? How dangerous is this?
A: First, let’s make it clear that polio in people has not been totally eradicated. It’s extremely important that most children be vaccinated for this terrible disease. Recent reports show that some people have not taken their children in for vaccinations, leaving them potentially susceptible to devastating consequences if they are exposed to this contagious virus.
On the other hand, you have no reason to worry about the neighbor’s goat. Polioencephlomalacia (polio) in goats is not caused by a contagious virus, but results from abnormal Vitamin B-1 metabolism. In many cases this polio can be successfully treated with injections of vitamins and the patient can make a full recovery. So even though this goat’s neurologic symptoms seem similar to those suffered in humans infected with polio virus, the disease is significantly different in goats.
So the good news is that goats with this disease can recover and do very well with few long-lasting side effects. I hope you neighbor is treating this condition aggressively with the help of a large animal veterinarian.
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By the way, have you ever thought about how your dog responds to certain situations? How does he compare to how you react to your daily stress?Â
I think most dogs have a healthy way of dealing with stress. And if he could talk, here’s a few bits of advice your furry friend might give you.
1) When you want something bad enough, be like your dog … dig for it.
2) Don’t ever bite when you’re angry. Just growl.
3) Stay close to your loved ones, especially in times of distress
And one final reminder: School’s back in session. That means a lot more children and their pets are out on the streets and sidewalks in the afternoon and evening hours. Drive extra carefully this time of year. Excited kids coming home from school and pets running to greet them sometimes wander out into the street. Please, slow down and give them lots of extra room.
Pete Keesling is a veterinarian at San Martin Veterinary Hospital. He writes a bi-weekly column for South Valley Newspapers. If you have questions about pet care, e-mail them to
sm****@ya***.com
or mail them to Lifestyles, 6400 Monterey Road, Gilroy CA 95020.
