On Bark Avenue

We at On Bark Avenue  have heard 1000's of times from numerous pet parents that they are guilty of adding a tiny bit of table food to their pet's bowl. 

Each time you do this - it is as if you are playing Russian Rulette with your pet's life.   

I was guilty of playing this very game myself with my dog, Gigi.

Just a Taste  

That was all it took to nearly kill my dog.

Maybe it’s because we love them so much?

Think they get bored eating the same thing?

Or, we just want to give our pets a special treat...

Almost all pet-parents are guilty----of feeding people (table) food.  A mere tablespoon nearly killed my precious dog----worst of all, I had given it to her!

My husband, Anthony and I usually go out for dinner on Saturdays, it’s our weekly ritual.  I purposely leave something on my plate, so I can bring it home, to Gigi, our five year old Yorkshire terrier.   She’s more excited about the doggy bag, than our return. Hearing   “Let’s go set the table”, Gigi races into the kitchen.  I mix her food with “just a taste”, from the restaurant.  Tonight is her favorite, fish!  She quickly eats her dinner, drinks some water, and joyfully jumps into her bed. I love seeing her so happy.

During the night, I awaken to Gigi being sick.  Maybe she just ate too quickly?  The next day she is always back to her active self.   However, Sunday she was not!

Monday we had a long-awaited, photo session with a dog-loving, dear friend. Gigi could not have been more excited to see “Aunt Tina”.   While a very cooperative model, Gigi did vomit some water and a small holistic treat she earned. A small bump appeared near Gigi’s left eye.  Thinking it was a bug bite, I quickly applied “Soothing Mist”, which relieved it.

Mid-Tuesday morning, yellow bile and some blood were found on the rug.  Loose bowels followed.  I was scared.  It seemed like food poisoning or even a virus.   Tina called to check on the condition of the little model, I explained the chain of events.   Mom to five dogs, and active in rescue, she said it sounded like colitis (which one of her dogs has), and probably was caused by the fish. Since Gigi was still drinking water, we decided to let her stomach rest, for the next 12 hours. Most importantly, I had to remain calm.  I was kindly told, “Do not feed table food to your dog. It is NOT good for them!”

Although I felt nervous leaving Gigi home, my Mom (who was visiting) assured me it would be okay.  I left our mobile number ---even though my mother knows it, by heart.  That evening, we attended a meeting regarding the pet food recall. I wondered if her symptoms were similar to those pets ingesting the tainted food.  

The special guest speaker was Dr. Jane Bicks, an award-winning holistic vet and the formulator of a holistic pet food. Dr. Jane fielded questions from concerned pet owners, what they were feeding their pets and the importance of a fresh, holistic pet food, made in small tested batches in an FDA and APHIS approved facility.

Fearful of feeding tainted pet food, many pet owners admitted to cooking for their pets and/or feeding them “people food”.  Dr Jane had tapped in to my Gigi’s situation.  She explained that both of these options could be dangerous.  She taught us how to read a pet food label, paying close attention to the first five ingredients; and to steer away from foods containing by-products, corn, soy, or wheat, sugars, and artificial preservatives. A good pet food should be balanced, and include animal fat, vegetables, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and pro-biotics. 

As the meeting concluded, I had learned a lot.  Upon returning home, we were not greeted at the door by Gigi.  Instead I found bloody diarrhea and vomit throughout the house and Gigi lying in her bed. Knowing it was after hours, for our vet, I called Tina.  When I heard her voice on the other end of the phone I blurted out, “My dog is really sick!  I don’t know what to do.  I don’t want her to die!  Please help me!”   Tina did her best to try to calm me down. She said I needed to be the pack leader.

That night, our roles reversed.  I had to look after Gigi, and patrol the house, so she could rest.  The night seemed like an eternity.  By morning, Gigi’s condition seemed to have improved slightly.  I contacted the vet, explaining what had happened.  He asked me to bring her in, just to be safe.

Gigi was diagnosed with hemorrhagic gastro enteritis – HGE, a disease characterized by sudden vomiting and bloody diarrhea.  The symptoms are severe and if not treated can lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation - DIC.  The progression of HGE can be so rapid that shock and death may occur within 24 hours.  The cause of HGE can be bacterial infection, bacterial toxins, stress or diet, colitis, bacteria such as salmonella, or a reaction to an intestinal parasite.  The “doggy bag” fish was most likely the cause.  Gigi was treated with intravenous fluid therapy and antibiotics, with strict instructions of no water for 12 hours and no food for 24 hours.  Any variance could cause a relapse.  The next three days were crucial because we ran the risk of DIC. Luckily, she responded quickly and got to come home, the same day.  

The “daughter we never had”, Gigi is also my certified therapy dog.   I want to keep her as healthy and happy as possible. We owe her that.  I learned a hard and scary lesson: People food might smell and taste yummy to a dog—but it is not good for them.   I now show Gigi how much I love her with a holistic dog treat, an extra long walk, a car ride, a nice scratch behind the ears, or a new toy. But, no more doggy bags!