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WARNING!
Hello to anyone else with a dog with COPD or a breathing problem (or just has a Dog). Please Do Not feed your dog Garlic and/or Onions.
The following is a Copy n Paste info; 'All close members of the onion family (shallots, onions, garlic, scallions, etc.) contain compounds that can damage dogs' red blood cells if ingested in sufficient quantities. A rule of thumb is "the stronger it is, the more toxic it is." Garlic tends to be more toxic than onions, on an ounce-for-ounce basis. While it's uncommon for dogs to eat enough raw onions and garlic to cause serious problems, exposure to concentrated forms of onion or garlic, such as dehydrated onions, onion soup mix or garlic powder, may put dogs at risk of toxicosis. The damage to the red blood cells caused by onions and garlic generally doesn't become apparent until three to five days after a dog eats these vegetables. Affected dogs may seem weak or reluctant to move, or they may appear to tire easily after mild exercise. Their urine may be orange-tinged to dark red in color. These dogs should be examined by a veterinarian immediately. In severe cases, blood transfusions may be needed.'
Second Copy n Paste info; 'Onions/Garlic cause toxicity by oxidizing an oxygen-transporting protein called hemoglobin in the red blood cells. When oxidized, hemoglobin forms clumps which can't carry oxygen as well. These small clumps, called Heinz bodies can be seen in the red blood cells when the blood is viewed under a microscope, especially when the cells are stained with a special stain called New Methylene Blue. Although a number of other compounds can cause Heinz bodies, when a veterinarian sees Heinz bodies in many cat or dog red blood cells, onion toxicity is the first differential that leaps out on the list.'
I only wanted to put this out there because my little Westie - Oscar has COPD. I nearly killed my little guy on Monday by giving him a very small handful of chopped up cooked chicken in his food. I never thought about the dehydrated onion and garlic powder I had used on the meat when I gave him the food :( . I had used a lot :( . The response to the food was immediate. His throat almost closed completely before he even got to lick his plate. It makes me cry to even think about it. Due to several reasons there is no vet available. I was on the net immediately trying to figure out what was going on. The above copy n paste was info I had found. Five yrs. ago Oscar had his spleen removed, the only defense the little guy had to help clean his blood on his own. If you google 'dogs and onions' and do some reading you will know what I mean. Over time the marrow in his bones will help to clean his blood from the Heinz bodies.
In the mean time - I have been giving him Turmeric 1/4 tsp. every four hrs. to help with swelling/inflammatory air way. 1/2 tsp. Organic Virgin Cold - Pressed Coconut Oil for healing properties and to help bowel movement. Two eyedropper drops of Food grade Hydrogen Peroxide 3% in Two liters of filtered water. It is helping. I also turned the heat in the house up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit for two reasons, 1) To induce panting, he could not breath on his own unless he panted. 2) Panting cools a dog down. I had to make him breath. I also didn't want him to get sicker because the panting gave him the chills.
Monday evening and Tuesday I thought I was going to lose the best little guy I had ever known. Wednesday, the panting was not as intense, there was a sliver of hope. Today, Thursday, he is walking on his own from one end of the house to the other (then rests for a bit). His breathing today is better. The heat is at 78 and he does not need to pant now when laying down. He can drink his water with out choking. It is now 11:30pm he has slept almost peacefully for three hrs straight. I think we are going to make it.
I must go now, it is time to wake him up and give him his medicine and a bathroom break. If this happens to you, I recommend your FIRST response should be to take the dog to a VET but sometimes that option is not available. So this was the action I took. Also - do not encourage your pet to move, walk or exercise in any way. Carry your buddy everywhere, including the bathroom. If you can, put soft food with medicine mix on a plate not a bowl so the nose is not pushing against anything. Hold food up for dog to eat so the head is not forced into a down position blocking food or air consumption. Hold water up for dog to drink. Encourage your dog to lay down while feeding or drinking. And of course Try your best to keep your cool. They are scared enough already and having them watch you cry is not going to help their stress level at all. Do what I did, after medication wait a few minutes to make sure they are okay. Go to the bathroom and release your own stress, don't be long. Then go back and cuddle your pooch. It will do you both good.
Thanks to God and to Earthclinic for the help. I would not have known about using the Hydrogen peroxide if I hadn't been guided to this site two weeks ago looking for Borax information. Thank you Ted for the effort you put into this place. You are an invaluable person and I appreciate your help. From Oscars mom.
