Irish Setters UK & Ireland
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POISONOUS ITEMS TO DOGS

Chocolate-Tea-Coffee-Cola

It is not chocolate itself that is poisonous to dogs, it is the theobromine,
a naturally occurring compound found in chocolate, tea, coffee and cola.
Theobromine causes different reactions in different dogs: dogs with health
problems, especially epilepsy, are more affected by theobromine than healthy
dogs. Theobromine can trigger epileptic seizures in dogs prone to, or at risk
of epilepsy. The size of the dog will also be a major factor: the smaller the
dog, the more affected it is by the same amount, than a larger dog.
Therefore, toxicity is described on a mg/Kg basis.

Furthermore, theobromine can cause cardiac irregularity, especially if the
dog becomes excited. Cardiac arythmia can precipitate a myocardial infarct,
which can kill the dog! Theobromine also irritates the GI tract and in some
dogs can cause internal bleeding, which in some cases, kills them a day or so
later.

Theobromine is also present in differing amounts in different kinds of
chocolate. Milk chocolate has 44-66 mg/oz, dark chocolate 450 mg/oz and
baking/bitter chocolate, or cocoa powder, varies as much as 150-600 mg/oz.
How much chocolate a dog can survive, depends on its weight and other known
circumstances. Under 200 mg theobromine per kg body weight, no deaths have
been observed.

Theobromine will stay in the bloodstream for between 14 and 20 hours. It goes
back into the bloodstream through the stomach lining and takes a long time
for the liver to filter out.

Within two hours of ingestion, try inducing vomiting, unless your dog is
markedly stimulated, comatose, or has lost the 'gag' reflex. If your dog has
eaten a considerable amount of chocolate, or displays any of the above
symptoms, TAKE IT TO THE VET WITHOUT DELAY!

In the absence of major symptoms, administer activated charcoal. The
unabsorbed theobromine will chemically bond to this and be eliminated in the
faeces. At a pinch, burnt toast, as in thoroughly burnt, crumbling in the
hand, will do.

Here is some more info for the 'Poisonous Items To Dogs' article.

Nuts

Walnuts are poisonous to dogs and should be avoided. In particular, there is
a type of fungus common to walnuts, especially wet, deadfall nuts, that will
cause severe episodes of seizuring. Many nuts are not good for dogs in
general, their high phosphorous content is said to possibly lead to bladder
stones.

Miscellaneous

Onions, especially raw onions, have been shown to trigger haemolytic anaemia
in dogs.
Ref: Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine Vol. 2pg
By: Stephen J. Ettinger D.V.M. & Edward C. Fieldman D.V.M.

Also: Six Cases of Heinz Body Haemolytic Anaemia Induced By Onion and/or
Garlic Ingestion.
By: C.M. Edwards & C.J. Belford, Aust.Vet. Prac. 26 (1) March 1996, 18-22

Potato poisonings among people and dogs have occurred. Solanum alkaloids can
be found in green sprouts and green potato skins, which occurs when the
tubers are exposed to sunlight during growth, or after harvest.
The relatively rare occurrence of actual poisoning, is due to several
factors:
Solanine is poorly absorbed.
It is mostly hydrolysed into less toxic solanidenel.
The metabolites are quickly eliminated.

Note that cooked, mashed potatoes are fine for dogs and are actually quite
nutritious and digestible.

Turkey skin is currently thought to cause acute pancreatis in dogs.
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POISONOUS HOUSEPLANTS

In assessing the risk to your dog from these plants, you need to consider
both the age of your dog and it's propensity to chew on plants. Many of the
toxic plants mentioned below, rarely cause problems, because most dogs don't
chew them, the exceptions being, of course, young puppies, who are inclined
to explore the world with their mouths, teething dogs, who may chew on
everything and older dogs, that are simply fond of chewing. Oleander, for
example, is rather toxic, but most cases of poisoning involve 1) cattle &
other grazing livestock, 2) puppies and 3) human babies and toddlers.

Dumb Cane is one plant that should always be kept out of reach, as it only
takes one nibble to cause a potentially fatal situation!

Rashes
After contact with the skin or mouth.

Chrysanthemum
Weeping Fig
Poinsettia
Spider Mum
Creeping Fig
Pot Mum

Irritants (toxic oxalates)
Especially causing the mouth to swell, tongue pain, sore lips; some swelling
so quickly, a tracheotomy is needed to prevent asphyxiation.

Arrowhead Vine
Neththytis Ivy
Emerald Duke (Philodendron)
Marble Queen
Majesty
Colodium
Red Princess Split Leaf (Philodendron)
Boston Ivy
Pathos
Heart Leaf
Saddle Leaf (Philodendron)

Toxic Plants
May contain a wide variety of poisons. Most will cause vomiting, abdominal
pain & cramps. Some cause tremors, heart, respiratory and kidney problems,
which can be difficult for the owner to interpret.

Amaryllis
Asparagus Fern
Azalea
Bird of Paradise
Creeping Charlie
Crown of Thorns
Elephant Ears
Glocal Ivy
Heart Ivy
Ivy
Jerusalem Cherry
Needlepoint Ivy
Pot Mum
Ripple Ivy
Spider Mum
Sprangeri Fern
Umbrella Plant

POISONOUS OUTDOOR PLANTS

Causes Vomiting & Diarrhoea

Delphinium
Daffodil
Castor Bean
Indian Turnip
Larkspur
Poke Weed
Bittersweet Woody
Ground Cherry
Fox Glove
Indian Tobacco
Wisteria
Soap Berry
Skunk Cabbage

May Cause Vomiting, Abdominal Pain & Diarrhoea

Horse Chestnut Buckeye
Rain Tree Monkey Pod
Privet
Japanese Plum
Balsam pear
English Holly
Wild Cherry
American Yew
Apricot
Almond
Peach
Cherry
Mock Orange
Bird of Paradise
Black Locust

Causes Varied Toxic Effect

Rhubarb
Spinach
Sunburned Potatoes
Tomato Vine
Loco Weed
Lupine
Dologeton
Dumb Cane
Buttercup
Nightshade
Poison Hemlock
Jimson Weed
Pig Weed
Water Hemlock
Mushrooms
Moonseed
May Apple
Dutchman's Breeches
Mescal Bean
Angel's Trumpet
Jasmine
Matrimony Vine

Causes Hallucinations

Marijuana
Peyote
Periwinkle
Nutmeg
Morning Glory
Loco Weed

Causes Convulsions

China Berry
Water Hemlock
Nux Vomica
Moon Weed
Coriaria
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POISONOUS HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Acetaminophen
Antifreeze
Aspirin
Bleach
Boric Acid
Brake Fluid
Carbon Monoxide
Carburettor Cleaner
Christmas tinsel
Cleaning Fluid
Deoderants/Deoderizers
Detergents
Disinfectants
Drain Cleaner
Dye
Fungicides
Furniture Polish
Gasoline
Hair Colourings
Herbicides
Insecticides
Kerosene
Laxatives
Lead
Lye
Matches
Metal Polish
Mineral Spirits
Mothballs
Nail Polish & Remover
Paint & Remover
Perm Solutions
Phenol
Photo Developer
Rat Poison
Rubbing Alcohol
Shoe Polish
Sleeping Pills
Soaps
Suntan Lotions
Tar
Turpentine
Windshield Fluid
Woodstains