Cuddly Retrievers, furry Poms, chic Labradors or coated German shepherds – whatever be the breed, these bubbly darlings continue to keep our spirits high with just a lil wag or may be an angry nudge with the tiny wet nose the moment you step in home. I know people who first play with their dogs and then with their kids (…and then with their wives…see priority rules everywhere) when they return home after a tiring day.


What’s more? Some even treat their furry doggies with chocolates and caramel pudding! Yes, my neighbour has an ailing dog; it’s just 5 years and has a tumour on its front foot and gasps even after walking ten steps. My Andhraite neighbour makes sure it has a daily dose of sambar rice and spicy Pappu (dal in Telugu) in every meal.


Back in Kolkata, I knew somebody who’d treat her dog with mishti doi and even Nolen Gurer shondesh quite meticulously in winter saying, “So what if it’s a dog? Does it not have the right to eat well?” Considering my sweet tooth, I wished if I was born her dog, but jokes apart, your dog surely has the right to eat well but more often than not in an effort to show our severe pangs of love, care and concern for those little dumb beings we actually end up doing more harm to them than good.


The ground rule that follows with pet care is (Dogs in this case): dog food is for dogs and people food is for people! However much as we think them as our best friend, their digestion is certainly not same as ours. Vets say that they actually cannot tolerate a large number of ‘Human products,’ including the sugar-free and low-calorie sweetener xylitol (often found in gums, breath mints, candies, toothpastes and baked goods). In fact, xylitol in dogs can be down right deadly.


I read recently about this report regarding dogs and xylitol as said by Eric K. Dunayer, VMD, veterinary toxicologist at the Animal Poison Control Center of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), where he specified that dogs actually have a sweet tooth and seem especially attracted to xylitol. BUT, this sweet tooth can get dogs into serious trouble, even turn out to be lethal. With their powerful sense of smell, dogs can ferret out xylitol products in seconds and have been known to consume an entire jumbo-sized pack of xylitol sweetened gum lickety split, according to Dr. Dunayer. The details of the report is stated below:


DANGERS OF XYLITOL AND DOGS

For reasons unknown, dogs metabolize xylitol differently than humans, their insulin levels increase which is why their blood glucose levels drop — which can lead to hypoglycemia. The dog becomes sleepy, weak and unsteady on the feet and may collapse and seize. This cascade can develop rapidly, says Dr. Dunayer, starting within 30 to 60 minutes after xylitol consumption, depending on the size and age of the dog.

The second danger, however, is even more insidious — fatal liver failure and internal bleeding can develop in dogs who did not show hypoglycemia initially. These reactions have occurred in dogs of various breeds, mixes and both genders, says Dr. Dunayer. Consequently, he says, anyone whose pet has ingested the sweetener must call the vet immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless the vet tells you to do so.

The reason: The symptoms move quickly and if the dog should collapse, it could choke on its vomit.So, all you softies who pamper your doggies little yum-yums, stick with the ones that are doggie approved and keep the xylitol along with any chocolate (including cocoa), raisins and grapes far from Rexy’s reach. And in case you didn’t know, chocolate can cause rapid heartbeat (heart attack) and excitement… and raisins and grapes can trigger kidney failure in dogs. So next time, you break that Cadbury piece and throw it towards Tommy dear, think twice…you surely don’t want to lose him so soon…do you?

This is a guest post by Debasmita Ghosh. Debasmita is a member of the People For Animals group and a well known journalist from Hyderabad, India. You can read articles written by her at http://epaper.timesofindia.com

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