Danger to Dogs

[betula]

Dangers of Cocoa
Mulch to Pets

Read this recently and thought I would pass the info on


Please tell every dog or cat owner you know.  Even if you don't have a pet, please pass this to those who do.  Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by garden supply stores, contains an ingredient called 'Theobromine'.

It is lethal to dogs and cats.  It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs.  They will ingest this stuff and die.  Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks.

Over the weekend, the doting owner of two young labrador mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch to use in their garden.  The dogs loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden.  Their dog (Calypso) decided the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping.  She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way.

The next day, Mum woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk.  Halfway through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.

Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's website, this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats.

Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that "It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog).  However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it".

*Snopes' website gives the following information - http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp

Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs.  Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of Theobromine, a Xanthenes compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline.  A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later.  Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of Theobromine.

[betula]

[betula]

BLUE GREEN ALGAE risk



Another hazard to your dog may be lurking in his favourite swimming spot.  Blue green algae can thrive in stagnant ponds after a spell of warm, dry & calm weather and can prove fatal to your dog.  Pets can die after ingesting only a small amount of the toxin.  We have received reports of dogs that have died recently from contamination in the Richmond Park and Gloucestershire areas.



We would suggest that anyone whose dog swims or plays in ponds or lakes checks with wardens or their local authorities for up to date reports.  If you do see any green slime or scum like deposits around the edge of the lake don't let your dog in.  The authorities do their best to put up warning signs, but as the algal bloom can rapidly appear do not assume that no sign means that it is safe to go in the water.

Blue green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, thrives in stagnant or slow moving water like ponds, streams and pools.  It can also be found less commonly on rocks and soil.  The algae produces potentially lethal toxins which are highly poisonous to pets and can cause poisoning in a number of ways, like ingesting the water when swimming, or licking the water off their fur.

Signs of toxicity are generally rapid in onset, generally occurring 1-8 hours after digestion.  The hepapatoxin causes a rapid and severe destruction of the liver cells.  The symptoms can include vomiting and diarrhoea, the dog may also appear lethargic and weak.  The neurotoxins initially cause overstimulation, then depression of the nervous system.  Your pet may tremble, shake, salivate (drool) and may even have seizures.  As the nervous system becomes fatigued by the toxins the pet will become weaker and will suffer paralysis of the respiratory and other muscles.

Treatment for these toxins, even if caught early, is generally unsuccessful and sadly many animals each year die from blue green algae poisoning.  If you do come across anywhere with this algae, ensure that your dog does not drink, swim or play in the ponds or any puddles or streams leading from the ponds.

If for any reason you suspect that your dog has come into contact with contaminated water, rinse its coat immediately with clean water and call your vet IMMEDIATELY.

[Unwashed]

Timely advice betula, thanks for the reminders.

[Paulines7]

Thank you for bringing this to the attention of us dog owners. 

I don't use cocoa mulch but Meggie does like her swim.  I can't think of any time when she has swum in a lake, as we normally take her to rivers or the sea.  However, if there is a lake nearby when we are on holiday, I will definitely heed your advice.

[Sinbad7]

Many thanks for that advice betula, much appreciated.