Pom Prints Rescue

Alcoholic beverages: Alcohol can cause gastrointestinal irritation, drunkenness, tremors, difficult breathing and/or panting, coma and even death

Avocados: Avocados can result in respiratory distress and the accumulation of fluid around the heart

Chives: If fed in excess, these can lead to GI upset and perhaps damage red blood cells

Chocolate: Chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity and increased thirst, urination and heart rate

Coffee: Coffee (including the grounds and beans) can cause the same symptoms as chocolate.

Grapes and raisins: Depending on the amount ingested, clinical signs can range from vomiting to life-threatening kidney failure.

Spices: If fed in excess, these can lead to GI upset and perhaps damage red blood cells.

Spoiled food: Spoiled food may contain food-borne pathogens, molds, and mycotoxins that can result in GI irritation, tremors, seizures, and death. All food, regardless of shelf-life claims, loses value and may grow toxins over time.

Onions: If fed in excess, these can lead to GI upset and perhaps damage red blood cells.

Salt and salty foods: Excess salt and purified salt can result in sodium ion poisoning with symptoms of regurgitation, tremors, excessive thirst, diarrhea, high temperature and seizures. On the other hand, moderate amounts of natural salt can be healthy.

Tomato: Fruit is not a problem in moderation, but the leaves, stem and unripe fruit are. Ingestion of these can cause GI upset, excess salivation, drowsiness, dilated pupils, and weakness. The same symptoms can be seen with the ingestion of any green plant parts of the potato and many household plants.

Xylitol sweetener: This sweetener in candies and gum can also cause a fairly sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression and seizures.

Yeast dough: Dough can be double trouble in that as it rises, the dough can expand the GI tract, possibly causing the intestine to rupture. The yeast can also form alcohol as it rises, leading to alcohol poisoning.