Month: April 2021

170 Why are Grapes Toxic to Dogs?

We have known for years that grapes are toxic to dogs. But we did not quite know why until maybe now and homemade playdough is the reason. Veterinarian toxicologists at the ASPCA Poison Control Center made the connection between tartaric acid and grapes while managing the case of a dog who ate homemade playdough.


We have known for 20-plus years that grapes, along with raisins and currants, can be poisonous to dogs, but we never knew exactly why. There have been several theories about the toxic component of grapes and raisins. Tartaric acid became suspect when the ASPCA Poison Control Center consulted on a case involving homemade playdough made with cream of tartar, which contains potassium bitartrate, the potassium salt of tartaric acid, instead of table salt like most homemade playdough. Tartaric acid has a wide margin of safety in humans and common lab animals such as mice, and many of the studies in dogs are outdated, so tartaric acid was not previously on the radar as the possible toxic principle.


This dog’s symptoms were different than most homemade playdough cases and were more like the cases of sudden kidney failure seen with grapes than “normal” salt toxicity. The lightbulb moment came with the realization that tartaric acid and potassium bitartrate are uniquely present in high concentrations in grapes, and that dogs are members of a species that has been shown to be sensitive to tartaric acid—with acute kidney failure reported in the older studies. Upon further investigation, tartaric acid and potassium bitartrate kept checking off the boxes in support of the theory that they are the toxic principles in grapes and raisins.


Another food that might fit this explanation includes Tamarinds [a tree that bears fruit that is used both in medicine and in cooking]. Tamarinds also contain high amounts of tartaric acid and potassium bitartrate, and the Poison Control Center has had reports of severe vomiting and acute kidney failure following large ingestions.


The toxicologists anticipate that this breakthrough will open doors to a collaborative effort toward an improved understanding of grape and raisin poisoning and, potentially, better testing, treatment, and prevention.


https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/common-human-snack-toxicities-pets


https://www.aspca.org/news/leahs-close-call-handful-grapes-nearly-cost-one-dog-her-life

169 In-Room Appointments starting in May 2021

Beginning in May, we will be offering in-room appointments with the owner present, social distancing, and masks on. Everything else will still be curbside (for now). Clients with appointments will call from the parking lot, history taken over the phone, and they will be escorted into an exam room, where they can be present with their pet. This is only for appointments, not medication refills, grooming, food, etc. And if the client does not wish to come in, we will be happy to offer curbside appointments like we have been doing for the last year.

This is our plan to transition back to “normal” since the Covid-19 case numbers are very low now in Denton County. Even the Lewisville Library has opened to normal visitation, with masks and social distancing.

Vet practices nationwide are experiencing problems with curb side care. The biggest one we have been encountered this week is loose dogs. Several dogs have simply slipped out of collars that were too loose, and even harnesses that were too loose. And we had one pit bull in the car for moral support for the tiny dog who had an appointment, and when the owner opened the door, it hopped out of the car, and ran around the parking lot. Fortunately, it was not fearful, didn’t bit any people, dogs or cats, and didn’t run out onto Garden Ridge Blvd. We have never had this many loose dogs on our parking lot before. So help us out my making sure your cat is in a carrier (we have loaners if you need one), and dogs are on a leash attached to a well fitted collar.

Call now to book your In-room appointment starting Monday, May 3, 2021

168 National Bite Prevention Week

April 11 to 17 is AVMA’s Dog Bite Prevention Week, co-sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association and State Farm Insurance. Any dog CAN bite, but most dog bites can be prevented by paying attention to dogs’ body language and health and by desensitizing dogs to certain external stimuli. Most homeowner’s insurance will pay for damages but might have breed restrictions. According to State Farm’s claim information, there were more dog-related injury claims in March 2020 than in any other month last year, with a reported 21.6 percent increase in dog bites compared to March of the previous year

Nipping and play biting might be cute as a puppy, but we never want it to escalate to the point of breaking the skin. Taking the Fear Free training has trained me to look at biting as much more than “aggression”, but a sign of dog pushed past their point of control with anxiety and fear. It might be triggered by new people, pushing past a dog’s comfort zone on their body, or defending what they perceive as their home, or their resources. Resources might be food, toys, sleeping places, or their owner’s attention.

We have been seeing more behavior problems in “pandemic puppies” due to lack of opportunities to exposed them to new situations. Trainers were closed but starting to reopen for classes.

To help our pets with this transition, the National Dog Bite Prevention Coalition recommends the following tips:

  • Make sure your pet is healthy. Not all illnesses and injuries are obvious, and dogs are more likely to bite if they are sick or in pain. If you haven’t been to the veterinarian in a while, schedule an appointment for a checkup to discuss your dog’s physical and behavioral health.
  • Take it slow. If your dog has only been interacting with your family this past year, don’t rush out into crowded areas or dog parks. Try to expose your dogs to new situations slowly and for short periods of time, arrange for low-stress interactions, and give plenty of praise and rewards for good behavior.
  • Educate yourself in positive training techniques and devote time to interact with your dog.
  • Get outside for leash training and allow your dog to do more socializing.
  • Gradually start arranging play dates with other dogs and people as allowed, and carefully increase the amounts of time and freedom together. This will help your dog get used to being with other canine companions again.
  • Be responsible about approaching other people’s pets. Ask permission from the owner before approaching a dog, and look for signs that the dog wants to interact with you. Sometimes dogs want to be left alone, and we need to recognize and respect that.

If your puppy or adult dog (or cat) has triggers that might result in a “nip”, please call for a behavior appointment so we can “nip” it in the bud with helpful training tips for your pet and family.

https://www.avma.org/events/national-dog-bite-prevention-week



#167 April in Heartworm Awareness Month

Most pet owners have heard about heartworms but may be fuzzy on the details about the nasty little critters. I hear clients ask ”why should we do a blood test when they look at their dog’s poo and don’t see worms”, or that they are “just backyard dogs” and never encounter other dogs. Here are 5 IMPORTANT FACTS EVERY PET OWNER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HEARTWORM DISEASE (but were afraid to ask)


#1: Blame the mosquito! Pets do not infect each other with heartworms; pesky mosquitoes spread the disease. In fact, just ONE BITE from an infected mosquito is all it takes to infect your pet with heartworms.
#2: Heartworm infection has been diagnosed in all 50 states, but it is very prevalent in Texas. (Link to HW incidence maps- https://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/incidence-maps)
We routinely diagnose 3-6 cases of canine heartworms a year at Garden Ridge Animal Hospital.
#3: Cats as well as dogs get heartworm disease. Fortunately, there is a monthly topical prevention for cats called Revolution, and it controls fleas and intestinal parasites too! Unfortunately, cats are not the correct host, and their immune system goes into high gear to fight the migrating larva, which causes severe, and often fatal, lung disease.
#4: There’s no season for heartworm disease. That is why the American Heartworm Society recommends year-round prevention.
#5: Heartworms are deadly, but heartworm prevention is affordable, highly effective and (usually) easy to give. The America Heartworm Society and Garden Ridge Animal Hospital recommend testing dogs for heartworm infection every 12 months and giving heartworm preventives all 12 months in a year. Here at Garden Ridge, we carry 2 affordable complete heartworm/intestinal oral preventions for dogs, and you can order ANY heartworm prevention brand from VetSource, our online pharmacy with a link on our website front page. (http://gardenridgeanimalhospital.vetsourceweb.com/site/view/HomeDelivery.pml)


Some dogs are extra picky and require some “pill pockets” or human food to hide the medicine. Our goal is for your dog to just think he is getting a “special treat” once a month.


Or we have a 12-month injection to prevent heartworms called Proheart 12. https://www.zoetispetcare.com/products/proheart


For more information about heartworms: https://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources