This post is dedicated to my dog Lexie who decided a nasty slug would be a tasty treat for her to bring in the house and eat on the kitchen floor.
Do you ever ask yourself these questions: Are some bugs worse for my dog than others? Can bugs, when ingested, be toxic? Why does my dog eat bugs? Well here's the scoop on the dreaded bug affair some dogs seem to have with insects and what dog parents need to know.
Slugs:
Slugs are not dangerous but dogs can catch lungworm through eating slugs and snails which carry the larvae of the parasite.
Wasps, Hornets, and Bees:
These flying insects not only hurt when they sting a dog, but facial swelling can ensue as well as severe hives and allergic reaction that include vomiting and diarrhea. Always keep Benadryl handy if you are an owner of a bug chaser.
Stinkbugs:
This smelly creatures are named after the odor they emit when disturbed or crushed, the stinkbug has been known to cause intestinal upset and producing symptoms of vomiting, nausea, excessive salivation and loss of appetite.
Caterpillars:
These creepy crawlies are a tempting mobile snack for many dogs. Teaching your dog a command like "leave it" is very helpful in these situations. Some caterpillars can be toxic or their bristles can cause irritation in the mouth or GI tract if eaten. The exact type of toxin varies depending on the type of caterpillar, if you fear your dog has eaten a caterpillar, seek veterinary care.
Spiders:
In our part of the United States, there are both brown recluse and black widow spiders, both capable of potentially fatal stings.
Flies and Mosquitoes:
Flying insects like flies and mosquitoes are not toxic and generally do not cause a problem for dogs. Flies have been known to carry roundworms, which can be passed to a pet when the insect is eaten, so watch for signs.
Ladybugs:
These cute little beetles can be toxic if ingested. They cause what amounts to a chemical burn when swallowed.
Ants;
Ants, especially fire ants, cause stings that product a lot of swelling. And of course, the dog usually encounters a nest of ants, so gets stung by hundreds. seek veterinary care immediately.
Fleas:
The dreaded fleas carry disease and can be potentially toxie to your furry friend. Fleas can carry tapeworms and can pass them on to pets when ingested while grooming.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Friday, September 9, 2016
Loving & Caring for Your Pets: Pica and Coprophagy Disorder
Loving & Caring for Your Pets: Pica and Coprophagy Disorder: Pets with pica or coprophagy eat substances that are not considered fodo. Pica involves the eating of objects. Dogs may be more likely to ea...
Pica and Coprophagy Disorder
Pets with pica or coprophagy eat substances that are not considered fodo. Pica involves the eating of objects. Dogs may be more likely to eat objects such as rocks and toys, while cats may eat clothing, strings, and kitty litter. Oriental breeds of cats are more likely to eat fabrics and wool.
Coprophagy is the consumption of feces. It is a natural behavior for nursing mothers to eat the feces of their puppies or kittens. Coprophagy is more common in dogs than in cats, and female dogs are more likely to display this behavior than males. While coprophagy is generally more distasteful than it is harmful to the pet, eating of nonfood objects may result in vomiting, diarrhea, or a blockage in the digestive tract, which may require an emergency surgery or use of an endoscope to retrieve the object while the pet is under anesthesia.
The exact cause of pica and coprophagy is unknown. Some pets chew on objects out of stress or boredom. Dogs may eat feces because they are not being fed enough or if they go too long between meals, but it is usually they are lacking a nutrient in their diet. Dogs that have been punished for defecating in the house may eat their feces to avoid further punishment. Rarely, an underlying condition such as anemia, intestinal parasites, gastrointestinal disorders, or liver disease may lead to an animal eating strange objects.
If there isn't an underlying medical problem leading to the behavior, the best thing to do is to eliminate access to objects the pet likes to eat. Make sure to store clothing, plastics, wool, and linear objects where your pet cannot find them. If your dog eats objects in the yard, consider a basket muzzle. However never leave a dog with a muzzle unattended. You can also try covering the objects with an unpleasant-tasting substance, such as cayenne pepper or bitter apple products, which are available at most pet stores.
For dogs with coprophagy, remove and dispose of feces from the yard immediately. Better yet, increase the number of daily leash walks and reward your dog with a treat after he or she defecates to distract him or her from the feces. Then pick up and dispose of feces appropriately. Some owners may try sprinkling feces with cayenne pepper or bitter apple so the dog experiences an unpleasant taste, but it's generally a better idea to just remove the feces.
Coprophagy is the consumption of feces. It is a natural behavior for nursing mothers to eat the feces of their puppies or kittens. Coprophagy is more common in dogs than in cats, and female dogs are more likely to display this behavior than males. While coprophagy is generally more distasteful than it is harmful to the pet, eating of nonfood objects may result in vomiting, diarrhea, or a blockage in the digestive tract, which may require an emergency surgery or use of an endoscope to retrieve the object while the pet is under anesthesia.
The exact cause of pica and coprophagy is unknown. Some pets chew on objects out of stress or boredom. Dogs may eat feces because they are not being fed enough or if they go too long between meals, but it is usually they are lacking a nutrient in their diet. Dogs that have been punished for defecating in the house may eat their feces to avoid further punishment. Rarely, an underlying condition such as anemia, intestinal parasites, gastrointestinal disorders, or liver disease may lead to an animal eating strange objects.
If there isn't an underlying medical problem leading to the behavior, the best thing to do is to eliminate access to objects the pet likes to eat. Make sure to store clothing, plastics, wool, and linear objects where your pet cannot find them. If your dog eats objects in the yard, consider a basket muzzle. However never leave a dog with a muzzle unattended. You can also try covering the objects with an unpleasant-tasting substance, such as cayenne pepper or bitter apple products, which are available at most pet stores.
For dogs with coprophagy, remove and dispose of feces from the yard immediately. Better yet, increase the number of daily leash walks and reward your dog with a treat after he or she defecates to distract him or her from the feces. Then pick up and dispose of feces appropriately. Some owners may try sprinkling feces with cayenne pepper or bitter apple so the dog experiences an unpleasant taste, but it's generally a better idea to just remove the feces.
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