Onions Are Toxic to Your Dog

March is Pet Poison Prevention Month:                                        Onions are Highly Toxic to Your  Dog

Dogs:  Onions are very toxic to dogs.  It actually takes a couple of days, after ingesting the onions, to show signs and symptoms.  All types of onions including raw, cooked or dehydrated are toxic.

Signs/Symptoms:

• Haemolytic Anemia (this causes the pet's red blood cells to burst while circulating in the body)
• Labored Breathing
• Liver Damage
• V/D  
• Discolored Urine
• Pale Mucous Membranes 
• Elevated RR & HR

Treatment:

• Evac to your vet immediately if you suspect Onion Toxicity 
• The vet will induce vomiting by giving activated charcoal to decontaminate
• The vet may perform a daily blood smear test to evaluate the level of anemia 
• A blood transfusion may be necessary if severe anemia is present
• IV Dextrose (sugar) if needed

Cats are more susceptible to Onion Toxicity 

Safety 1st: When cooking with onions, it is best to make sure your pets are safely away from the kitchen counter.  Cats love to jump on counters and see what you are up to.   Never walk away and leave the onion(s) on the counter....cats and dogs are curious creatures, especially if it means food.

Teri Ann Tate is a Pet Tech Instructor and teaches Pet CPR, First Aid and Pet Care Classes in Arizona.  She is also a certified Emergency Animal Medical Tech I (EAMT I); certified Large Animal Rescue Tech II (LART II); and a certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR).  She runs a pet care business, Comfy Pets of AZ and has a passion for animals as well as the great outdoors.  To learn more about her business and classes, go to http://www.comfypetsofaz.com