Seizures in Dogs

Here are some tips on what to do to help your dog after the seizure:
Observe your dog's post-seizure behavior.
Do not allow your dog access to the stairs until he is fully recovered.
Offer water if he wishes to drink.
Be prepared for vocalization and stumbling after the seizure ends.
You need to be strong and offer support and comfort to your dog.
He will be confused and may feel as though he did something wrong.
Speak softly and with a soothing voice.
Always call or see your veterinarian if you witness your dog having a seizure.

Is Chewing Gum Toxic To Dogs?

The answer is yes - some of it is! It is actually the sweetener used in some chewing gum products that can be toxic to dogs. The toxic ingredient is called xylitol. Many pet owners have no idea about this, but if you chew this type of gum and your dog happens to ingest it, the consequences could be quite serious. I first found out about this several years ago when I treated a dog that got into his owner's purse and ate some different vitamins and medications. There were several different pills with complex combinations of minerals and herbs, and as well as some heart medications. We were not sure if this particular mix of ingredients was toxic. The owner thought the dog was acting a little "funny", so she called to say that she was on her way to the clinic. Before she arrived, we called poison control. They handle tons of calls about dogs ingesting substances which may or may not be toxic. I told them about the drug combination and asked for their best treatment recommendation for the dog. Luckily, the dog hadn't ingested enough of the medications for them to become toxic. The toxicologist had answered all my questions, but fortunately he probed a litter further asking if there had been any chewing gum in the owner's purse. I put the toxicologist on hold, called the owner and asked about the chewing gum. She told me that she carried sugar-free gum in her purse. Some sugar-free gum contains xylitol, an ingredient that can be toxic to. When the owner arrived at the clinic, the dog was indeed acting a little lethargic. We checked his blood sugar and it was low. This is a common side effect from the xylitol. I had never heard of this before that phone call to poison control. They had seen only one or two cases before this, so they were on the lookout for this problem. Luckily for us the toxicologist asked the question and as a result we were able to help the dog. That was several years ago. However, since that time, they have documented several more cases and have also found that xylitol can also cause liver problems. Xylitol is commonly found in sugar-free products like gum, candies and baked goods. It seems that some pets are more sensitive to it than others. The exact amount that needs to be ingested to cause problems is still being determined. Signs can develop quickly. So yes, something as simple as your dog eating a piece of your gum can lead to a critical emergency and a costly vet bill. Many of you have told me that you thought pet insurance might be too expensive for you. Please do not make assumptions - get the facts. I encourage you to take a minute to educate yourself about pet insurance and understand the costs. Find out how pet insurance can save you money and give you peace of mind, knowing that you will be able to provide the best medical care for your dog in case of emergency. This is so important because as well all know, dogs are way too curious and they are always getting into things they shouldn't.So take a few minutes to get the facts about pet insurance and to get a free personalized price quote. Go to: purinacare.comFinally, it is best not to feed your dog anything but dog food. If you must feed a human treat, avoid all treats with artificial sweeteners. If you want to give your dog a treat - stick with dog treats! Until next time, Dr. Jon