Strep throat is caused in people by Lancefield’s Group A B-hemolytic Streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes). The primary host is humans and it is passed by airborne droplets that are mostly inhaled. Contamination of food and possibly water is also possible. Dogs and cattle are susceptible to infection mostly by people, but cows used to pass strep in epidemic proportions to people via unpasteurized milk. The cow would develop a mastitis, strep would pass into the milk, someone would swallow it – you get the picture. Most chronic strep’s are usually due to a virus colonizing the tonsils, with periodic secondary strep infections.

Many pediatricians recall a paper published in Postgrad Med. 1983 titled: “Recurrent pharyngitis in family of four. Household pet as reservoir of group A streptococci.” In this paper, numerous attempts using conventional methods of treatment failed to permanently rid the family of strep throat. Their pet dog was finally discovered to be a carrier of group A streptococci and was treated. This paper is now considered irrelevant because the methodology they used would not differentiate group A strep (the one that causes strep in people) from group G strep (canine cause). Most likely, the dog got strep from a human family member, just like the rest of the family!

My recommendation is to save your money and not test the dog for strep. I have agreed to treat a dog with antibiotics, just in case, to ease a client’s mind, but along that path I feel the pediatrician should insist all human family members go on antibiotics too!

RIBBONS & TINSEL

These are of special interest to playful cats and kittens who see these materials as toys (or prey) to be chased, pounced upon, chewed or swallowed. While chasing and pouncing pose no health threats, chewing and swallowing do, as these strings or “linear foreign bodies” can catch in the GI tract, leading to bunching of intestine as the body tries in vain to move the string or ribbon through. This is a life-threatening condition requiring surgery for correction. Supervise animals who play with string closely.

ELECTRIC LIGHT CORDS

These are also tempting to cats who like to play with string as well as to puppies who are teething and interested in chewing. If a pet bites through an electrical cord, it could result in a severe burn to the tongue, which causes the pet’s lung to fill with fluid, causing respiratory distress. This is also an emergency requiring immediate veterinary attention.

CHOCOLATE

Many people do not realize that chocolate can be a poison. Unsweetened baking chocolate and dark chocolate carries a much higher dose of the toxin “theobromine” than does milk chocolate, but even normal milk chocolate can be dangerous; a small dog sharing candy can wind up in big trouble. Clinical signs of chocolate poisoning include hyper excitability, nervousness, vomiting, and diarrhea and death.

ONIONS

Pieces of onion, onion powder, or even cooked onion, can cause damage to red blood cells, which could result in anemia in both dogs and cats.

MACADAMIA NUTS

Macadamia nuts may cause problems if ingested by dogs. According to a retrospective study, clinical signs commonly reported in dogs ingesting macadamia nuts include weakness, depression, vomiting, ataxia, tremors, and hyperthermia. In most cases, dogs developed clinical signs within the first twelve hours post ingestion. These signs have only been seen in dogs and the exact cause for their sensitivity is unknown.

HOLLY, LILIES & CHRISTMAS ROSES

Holly is considered moderately toxic, with vomiting and diarrhea most often seen in a pet who has ingested a small amount.  When a large amount is ingested, holly can be fatal.  The Christmas rose is moderately toxic, with vomiting and diarrhea most often seen.  Lilies are potentially fatal to cats, as they can cause acute kidney failure.  Any lily — Stargazer, Asian, Easter, Tiger, and some day lilies can be fatal to cats.  In fact, even the pollen from lilies can be hazardous to cats and kittens.

RAISONS & GRAPES

These contain an as-yet-identified toxin that can cause acute kidney failure in susceptible pets.  Although not all dogs and cats who eat raisins and grapes develop life-threatening kidney failure, amounts as little as 0.22 ounces of raisins per pound of the pet’s body weight or 1.4 ounces of grapes per pound of body weight can cause toxicity.  For a 10-pound dog, that would be just over two ounces of raisins or 14 ounces of grapes.

XYLITOL

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar substitute. Use of xylitol has recently expanded in popularity, and xylitol is found in many sugar-free gums, candies, and other foods. Dogs appear sensitive to xylitol, as ingestion of 100mg/kg xylitol can result in rapid, life-threatening hypoglycemia (no known toxicity exists for humans).

POINSETTIA

Consuming this festive-looking plant can be irritating to the mouth and stomach of the dog or cat that chews on or eats it. Contrary to popular belief, poinsettia is not specifically toxic.

MISTLETOE

The fact that there are several types of mistletoe makes it difficult to predict the clinical signs of poisoning. Some mistletoes produce only stomach upset while others may lead to liver failure or seizing. Consider mistletoe to be a hazardous substance and keep it inaccessible to pets and children.

We’ll be writing about topics important to you as a pet owner. From diet and exercise to safety advice and recommendations for the overall wellness of your pets, we want to make this blog a place for valuable, helpful information. Just one of the ways we make our motto of “Innovative Medicine, Compassionate Care” work for you.

And if there’s anything you’d like us to write about specifically, please feel free to email us at info@auroraanimalhospital.com with your thoughts.

Thanks, and we hope you join the conversation and our community!