A Hard Pet lesson learned...**Update added**

[Dax]

Well today I learned something new about my dogs....They cannot eat Pork products.

First let me say I love my dogs...as most of you know...As does my DH. Against my better judgement, he gives them table food once in a while...Who can resist those adorable faces...Well on Sunday, we had some bacon...and some was given to them...not a lot...but a few pieces each. We have done it in the past with no issues.

Well yesterday, poor Miracle seemed sick. She was hot to the touch, and seemed lethargic. She would vomit her food. She just wasnt her normal self. I took her to the vet this morning, and she was running a light fever, but otherwise normal. Well come to find out after a blood test, her white blood cell count was elevated. They asked about the pork and said this causes issue with the pancreas...They pumped her full of fluids to reduce the fever, gave me an antibiotic, and told me no food for 24hrs, then only bland foods, chicken or rice, for the next few days. If she improves, we are ok...if not, then will need a more aggressive treatment.

I feel horrible....my poor little baby...but the good news is she is keeping the pills down, no vomiting yet.. and also she seems a bit more alert and happy...so lets hope she gets better...Please keep her in your prayers.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Wow, I didn't know that about pork. My dog loves bacon! Thanks for the heads up and I will keep cute little Miracle in my prayers.

 

[stinkerbelle]

awww...I'm so sorry...I hope she gets better soon!!

DH did the same thing (against my better judgement), gave her some pork fried rice...yeah, she wasn't too pleasant to be around after that. She was fine after a few days...

also - I know stupid to say - but here are common things that dogs just shouldn't eat:

raisins (or grapes? hell - both are bad I believe)
pork products (as you now know)
chocolate

I'm sure there are others - but these are the 'big' ones.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I didn't know that, bout dogs and pork products. Whiskey often gets a treat after a meal, but I will warn DH to not offer anything derived from a pig. I hope Miracle lives up to her name and pulls through this episode.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by iNTeNSeBLue98
I didn't know that, bout dogs and pork products. Whiskey often gets a treat after a meal, but I will warn DH to not offer anything derived from a pig. I hope Miracle lives up to her name and pulls through this episode.

yeah - I don't even give Jazz hot dogs...don't even want to try it!

we give our dog WAY too much table food...I think she's developing an adversion to dairy...she spit out cheese I gave her last night and threw up last weekend when DH shared cereal with her (either that or she anti Frosted Flakes and Apple Jacks! heheh)

 

[Pooh67_68]

Awww poor Miracle, hope she is feelin better soon.

 

[KathyTX]

I had no idea that dogs had trouble with pork products!

We don't normally feed Sambuca table scraps, but once in a while, if she looks at me a certain way with those big brown eyes, I might "accidently" drop a bit of cheese or turkey or something near her...

(I just love those adorable Puggles faces! And Jazz could probably get me to do just about anything with that sweet look...)

 

[Pugdog007]

Wow I had no idea about pork, and I consider myself an overly conscientious pet owner. Thanks for the heads up and prayers for Miracle.

BTW I'm also owned by 4 pugs. 2 black, 2 fawn, all adopted from Alabama Pug Rescue & Adoption.

And here I thought I was the only pug nut on this board.

 

[Otto's Doll]

I feed my dog pig ears, that doesn't seem to bother him. Should I stop?

 

[Pugdog007]

Originally posted by Otto's Doll
I feed my dog pig ears, that doesn't seem to bother him. Should I stop?

I wouldn't feed your dog pig ears. Not because of the pork, but because they are a choking hazard.

 

[phillybeth]

If dogs get pork products regularly they can handle it- some dog foods even have pork in them. It's the dogs that rarely get pork or table scraps that get sick. Turkey and other poultry can effect some dogs the same way.

 

[skuttle]

Poor Miracle...I hope she's feeling better soon.

 

[christineann]

Poor puppy - hope she feels better very soon. I had heard that dogs have trouble with pork, and I read on a vet website that raisins are toxic for many dogs.

 

[Dax]

Well today was the day where she was allowed to eat again...I was a bit nervous as I didnt know if she would be able to handle it....Well she pigged down ...I was pretty happy, and her fever has also dropped...So I am happy...Not out of the woods yet...but getting there. Thanks for the prayers

 

[Celluloidgal]

Didn't know about pork
Just the usual fare: chocolate, grapes/raisins, onions

Glad she is doing better

My Great Dane doesn't eat people food (or at least shouldn't!) They're kinda fussy when it comes to their digestive system (Bloat). And boy howdy...they can pass some gas!

PS - My DH had a sweet three legged pug growing up. Your furry babies are awfully cute!

 

[Disney Doll]

I never knew about pork!!!! I knew about raisins, cooked bones, grapes, chocolate, and I also heard onions and garlic.

I have given Ted pork in the past, and other than a tad bit of "gas", he had no problem.

I'll have to be more careful...thanks for the warning!!!!!

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Hmm. My dogs eat a raw, whole food, natural diet. Raw chicken, vegetables, sweet potatoes....there is not one ingredient you can't pronounce. It's dog food in that it is packaged and sold for dogs, but it is not that crud that is usually sold as dog food...I have long since learned my lesson there.

However, the one big no-no I've always gotten in all my books about preparing your dog a natural diet is pork. Something about pork being too fatty for their little arteries. It is very, very bad for them, and an absolute no-no, along with chocolate. Especially dark chocolate. Whoever posted grapes...yes, I've heard that too! As for pigs ears and feet...they are no-nos because of what they are usually treated with..all sorts of bad chemicals to preserve them.

However, I do not hesitate to give little bits of apple to my dogs, and I don't freak out if they steal some broccoli and cauliflower from the floor if I am doing my usual messy job of cutting it up for dinner. My dogs deserve a fresh food diet as much as I do, and in truth, they probably eat much healthier than DH and I. We just know what foods they are not allowed to have. However, we have gotten creative. There is a dog bakery where we live that makes carob instead of chocolate treats...all of them good enough for health-conscious humans to eat. Its so nice to be able to give them sweet treats as well (and watch as DH fights with them over who gets the carob brownie).

Also, turkey can be very greasy, and can cause stomach upset, I've heard. That's something else my dogs don't eat.

eta: as for garlic, I've heard too much is bad for them, but a little is an excellent natural flea repellant. Garlic has so many health benefits, for humans and animals, but you shouldn't go overboard

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by theSurlyMermaid


eta: as for garlic, I've heard too much is bad for them, but a little is an excellent natural flea repellant. Garlic has so many health benefits, for humans and animals, but you shouldn't go overboard

ITA - My mom puts garlic powder on top of her dogs food...just a little sprinkle...at each meal time. Yes the kitchen is stinky for a little while...but it's never been known to hurt them.

now WHOLE garlic I wouldn't do...but powder is actually reccommended by vets.

 

[TEENEE]

I have also heard the bread is very bad for dogs. If I remember right it can cause diabetes in dogs.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Originally posted by stinkerbelle


ITA - My mom puts garlic powder on top of her dogs food...just a little sprinkle...at each meal time. Yes the kitchen is stinky for a little while...but it's never been known to hurt them.

now WHOLE garlic I wouldn't do...but powder is actually reccommended by vets.

Yes, garlic powder. They sell it in natural pet stores...we used to use one that was a natural preventative for fleas, ticks and heartworm.

However, one time my yorkie stole a garlic clove. Luckily she spit it out in horror within two seconds. She is too fast for us.