In people and dogs, the level of blood sugar is controlled by the release of insulin from the pancreas. In people, xylitol does not stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas. However, when dogs eat something containing xylitol, the xylitol is more quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, and may result in a potent release of insulin from the pancreas.

This rapid release of insulin may result in a rapid and profound decrease in the level of blood sugar (hypoglycemia), an effect that can occur within 10 to 60 minutes of eating the xylitol. Untreated, this hypoglycemia can quickly be life-threatening.

Xylitol is lower in calories than sugar, this sugar substitute is also often labeled as sugar-free.  Products that may contain xylitol include:

• chewing gum
• chocolate bars
• breath mints
• baked goods
• cough syrup
• children’s and adult chewable vitamins
• mouthwash
• toothpaste
• some peanut and nut butters
• over-the-counter medicines
• dietary supplements
• sugar-free desserts, including “skinny” ice cream

So, please be extra diligent and know how dangerous Xylitol is to our pets.

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Halloween can be the spookiest night of the year, but keeping your pets safe doesn’t have to be tricky. The ASPCA recommends taking these simple, common sense precautions to keep your pet happy and healthy all the way to November 1.

Stash the Treats
The candy bowl is for trick-or-treaters, not Scruffy or Fluffy. Several popular Halloween treats are toxic to pets. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for cats and dogs, and sugar-free candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can cause serious problems in pets. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

Watch the Decorations and Keep Wires Out of Reach
While a carved jack-o-lantern certainly is festive, pets can easily knock over a lit pumpkin and start a fire. Curious kittens are especially at risk of getting burned or singed by candle flame. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered relatively nontoxic, but can produce stomach discomfort in pets who nibble on them.

Be Careful with Costumes
For some pets, wearing a costume may cause undue stress. The ASPCA recommends that you don’t put your dog or cat in a costume unless you know he or she loves it. If you do dress up your pet for Halloween, make sure the costume does not limit his or her movement, sight or ability to breathe, bark or meow. Check the costume carefully for small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that could present a choking hazard. Ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

Be sure to have your pet try on the costume before the big night. If he or she seems distressed or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting your pet wear his or her “birthday suit” or don a festive bandana instead.

Keep Pets Calm and Easily Identifiable
Halloween brings a flurry of activity with visitors arriving at the door, and too many strangers can often be scary and stressful for pets. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. While opening the door for guests, be sure that your dog or cat doesn’t dart outside. And always make sure your pet it wearing proper identification—if for any reason he or she does escape, a collar with ID tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver for a lost pet.

The post Halloween Safety Tips for Pets appeared first on K9 Nannies of San Antonio.

Some symptoms of a food allergy in a dog include:

• Chronic ear inflammation
• Itching
• Paw biting
• Poor coat quality
• Obsessive licking
• Skin rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Nausea
• Chronic diarrhea
• Itchy rear end
• Chronic gas
• Vomiting

The more the dog is exposed to the allergen, the more severe the reaction will be. Even if your dog is only irritated by the symptoms initially, they could be life-threatening the next time they eat the problem food.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it is extremely important to have them checked out by a vet to determine if the symptoms are indeed signs of a food allergy.

The post Symptoms of Food Allergies in Dogs appeared first on K9 Nannies of San Antonio.

Now that we are in “the dog days of Summer,”  remember that dogs are vulnerable to heat related illnesses and injuries.  These conditions include heat stroke, sunburn, and foot pad burns.

To protect your dog, remember the following:

• When the temperature is high, avoid hot surfaces like asphalt. Being close to the ground can heat their body quickly and can burn on sensitive paw pads.
• Giving your dog a lightweight summer haircut can help prevent overheating.  NEVER shave to the skin.  Your dog needs one-inch of protection to avoid sunburn. (NOTE: A summer cut can damage the coat of some breeds such as a Golden Retriever).
• Fresh water must be available at all times. Outside dog need shade and plenty of cool water.
• Limit exercise when temperatures soar, and do not muzzle the dog because it inhibits their ability to pant.
• Swimming, splashing or setting in a wading pool, or a run through a sprinkler will help bring your dogs body temperatures down.
• NEVER LEAVE A DOG IN A PARKED CAR.  Not even if your parked in the shade for a few minutes. The temperature inside of a car can reach oven-like temperatures in minutes.  This mistake could be fatal for your dog.

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