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Pet Peeves: Garden concerns, dangers

Spring is a great time for people to play in the yard with their pets and relax together in the garden.

While many dogs are delighted to spend time outdoors, veterinarians from BluePearl Veterinary Partners say it is important to be mindful of toxic plants and other garden dangers.

Cocoa Mulch:

It might be a surprise to learn that one of the biggest front yard dangers is actually a variety of mulch. Cocoa mulch, known for its rich chocolate-brown color and nutritional benefits for soil, is very dangerous and toxic to dogs. It contains cocoa shells and various chemicals that can make a dog very sick if ingested. Unfortunately, the chocolate aroma appeals to many dogs, making cocoa mulch a huge threat in the gardens of pet families.

Cocoa mulch ingestion can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, muscle tremors, weakness, seizures and even death. While cocoa mulch may look appealing, pet owners may want to choose a safer alternative such as dirt, stones or mulch without dangerous cocoa hulls or chemicals.

Commercial and Natural Fertilizers:

Fertilizers also can be highly toxic to dogs. Commercial fertilizers may provide nutrition for plants, but they contain harmful chemicals which are toxic to dogs. When sprinkled or sprayed over a lawn or garden, it is often easy for a dog to come in contact these dangerous chemicals. Signs that a dog ingested fertilizer include drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, neurologic signs such as tremors and seizures, and abdominal pain.

Organic fertilizers sound safe. But surprisingly, many of them actually are more dangerous. Organic, or “natural,” fertilizers often contain various “meals” leftover in the farming or meat industries. These products, such as bone meal, blood meal, feather meal and fish meal, are very attractive to dogs, but also very unhealthy for their digestive systems. Complications in dogs who ingest organic fertilizers include vomiting, diarrhea, obstruction and severe pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas).

Plants and flowers:

Call your veterinarian if your dog or cat ingests a plant from your yard or garden. Specifically - Lily of the Valley (toxic to dogs and cats), Stargazer/Tiger etc. Lily (toxic to cats - don't clip and bring inside), tulip and daffodil bulbs, and specific garden plants that can be trouble like onions, garlic, and tomato plants.

BluePearl veterinarians urge pet owners to actively supervise their dogs outdoors. If your pet ingests a harmful toxin in the garden, seek immediate emergency veterinary care.

Compost bins or piles:

Piles of decomposing organic matter or molding food can create tremorogenic mycotoxins, which are very toxic to pets. Dogs may be tempted to get into the compost pile, especially if you are composting food products.

Even small amounts of mycotoxins can result in clinical signs within 30 minutes to a few hours of ingestion. These signs include agitation, hyperthermia (high body temperature), panting, drooling, vomiting, tremors, and in severe cases seizures. Prompt decontamination if your pet is not yet exhibiting signs is the key to treatment.

Once symptomatic, aggressive supportive care is required including fluid therapy, muscle relaxant medications to control tremors, and cooling methods.

Mole and gopher bait:

Many people area aware that rat poison is a danger to pets - and this is important to keep in mind in the spring as sheds are opened and our pets are spending more time outside.

Mole and gopher baits are less well-recognized and just as dangerous. These baits often contain zinc phosphide or bromethalin. Neither of these active ingredients have an antidote and both can result in life-threatening symptoms. The most important thing to do if either of these products are ingested is to get to a veterinarian right away for decontamination before symptoms present.

Zinc phosphide is most often found in a poisoned "peanut" form but can also be found in a powder or pellet. Zinc phosphide reacts with the acid in the stomach to create a toxic gas, so make sure that pets are not fed anything if they do ingest this toxin.

Clinical signs can include vomiting, abdominal pain, depression, difficulty breathing, depression, and tremors.

The other toxin is bromethalin which is a neurotoxin and is often found in a pellet or gummy worm-shaped strip. These baits are often placed underground for moles but dogs can dig them up. Ingestion of bromethalin can result in seziures, incoordination and paralysis.

https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gifFor questions about outdoor pet safety and general pet health, please contact your family veterinarian.

Our specialty and 24/7 Emergency hospital is located in Grand Rapids on "Medical Mile" just East of Fuller @ 1425 Michigan St. NE. We're here to help and proud to be a part of the West Michigan community!

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