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Contacts |
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Corresponding Secretary:
Sandy Dickens,
ndickens1126
@yahoo.com
Rescue Contact: Janet Quick,
roch4d @earthlink.net or
816-250-2574
Breeder Referral: Joy
Lobato, jjlobato @earthlink.net |
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Health &
Welfare |
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July 2010 - From the Dr. Jon (Petplace.com)
newsletter: Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant cancer of the
cells that form blood vessels. Because these tumors start in blood
vessels, they are frequently filled with blood. Consequently, when a
blood-filled tumor ruptures, it can cause problems with internal or
external bleeding. It comes on fast. Often the first sign of a
problem is a dog that was fine - never appearing sick - and then
suddenly the dog just collapses. Hemangiosarcoma is considered to be
a very aggressive tumor and it can spread rapidly to other organs.
Hemangiosarcoma occurs in middle-aged
to older dogs 9 to 11 years of age, and German shepherds appear to
be predisposed to developing this cancer. The most common primary
location of this cancer in dogs is the spleen. Signs of this disease
are usually the result of the tumor rupturing, which causes
bleeding. This may occur without any warning, and the symptoms will
depend upon where the tumor is located. When a tumor in the spleen
or liver ruptures, the signs are usually due to bleeding into the
abdomen. This causes anemia, weakness and, if the bleeding is
severe, collapse. The dog's gums may appear to be pale or white. In
relatively few animals the diagnosis is made before the tumor
ruptures. It is frustrating and terrible. Many dogs die. And it
comes on so fast. So, if your dog collapses look at his gums. Are
they pale? Does he seem weak? Take him to your veterinarian for an
evaluation. Tests can be done to help identify these tumors. |
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May 2010 -
Spring will be here soon and the ticks will soon be showing
their heads. Here is a good way to get them off you and your
pets. This works in those places where it's sometimes difficult to
get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of
dark hair, etc. Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover
the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few
seconds (15-20), the tick will come out on its own and be stuck to
the cotton ball when you lift it away. Insects breathe through their
skin; this actually suffocates them. |
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May 2010 -
Rabies: the bad news—55,000 people worldwide die every year
from rabies. The good news— the U.S. has been declared canine
rabies-free. However, Mexico and Canada still have incidents of
canine rabies and even here in the U.S., wild animals still carry
the disease. |
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April 2010 - Beware of giving your
pets children’s stuffed toys. The stuffing inside may contain a
flame retardant material which turns into a toxic gel if
ingested. A dog in Minnesota was operated on to remove a
suspected bowel obstruction after he ate a child’s teddy bear, but
the vet instead found his intestines were black and dead from his
stomach to his colon. The vet called the manufacturer and was told
about this flame retardant material. Make sure your dog’s toys are
actually meant for dogs. |
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April 2010 - For a list of everyday foods that
are toxic to dogs, go to this site:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/pet-health/dangerous-foods-for-youpet.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthWomensHealth_20100308.
It includes chocolate, avocados, beer and other alcohol, grapes and
raisins, etc. |
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April 2010 - Toxic Plants -The
springtime plants that can result in gastrointestinal upset in dogs
and cats include: Amaryllis, Ferns, Caladium, Calla lily, Hyacinth,
Iris, Tulip, Plants that are considered very toxic and can result in
severe illness or even death include: Crocus, Azalea, Rhododendron,
Tiger Lily, Easter Lily, Bittersweet, Clematis, Daffodil, Day lily,
Foxglove, Lily of the Valley, Narcissus, Morning Glory, Death Camas.
Another item toxic to dogs is cocoa mulch which contains a lethal
ingredient called Theobromine, which is in all chocolate, especially
dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells
contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine
compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that
ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean
shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later.
Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells
revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine. |
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April 2010 - You may now be able to
diagnose cancer in a dog with a simple blood test. BioCurex has
announced the availability of the OncoPet RECAF test, which has
detected 85 percent of a variety of cancers in dogs at the standard
95 percent specificity level in premarket studies. The test detects
whether RECAF, a universal marker for malignant cell growth in
animals and people, is present in the blood. RECAF's expression is
related to rapid cell growth, which is characteristic of cancer and
fetal development. The same blood test is used in people.
The tests will be available through OncoPet Diagnostics Inc., a
subsidiary of BioCurex—check with your vet about this if you’re
interested Canine Health Concern, a British pet charity, asserts
that vaccines given to dogs are making them ill and that
profit-driven drug companies and vets are pressuring dog owners to
allow these inoculations. CHC states it is “not anti-vaccination.
What we are saying is that currently our pets are receiving far too
many. The latest scientific research shows that after the first
course of injections as a puppy most dogs are immune against these
diseases for at least seven years, if not for life.” Puppies are
vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis
and parainfluenza up to three times by the age of four months. They
may also be immunized against coronavirus, rabies, Lyme disease and
bordetella or kennel cough. Booster shots are given every year or
every three or four years. But some have suffered dramatic changes
in behavior or been diagnosed with cancer within months of the
injections and some puppies have developed conditions including
autism and epilepsy after a raft of injections. But, another British
animal charity, The Dogs Trust said a study looking for a connection
between vaccines and sudden illhealth failed to find a link. A
spokesperson for British regulatory agency stated that the 80
millionplus doses of vaccine since 1985 had generated fewer than
7,000 reports of side effects. To clear up this confusion, be sure
to come to our May membership meeting for Dr. Ward Brown’s
presentation on this subject. |
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March 2010 - The January issue of the
AKC Gazette reports on the new laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy
technique now available which will result in less trauma and a
faster recovery time. Small incisions are made to insert a small
camera and tubes containing the surgical instruments while the belly
is inflated with gas to provide better visibility inside the
abdomen. Prophylactic gastropexy of any type can “reduce the chance
of dying from GDV by a factor of up to 30 times...” |
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March 2010 - From the Dr. Jon newsletter
(petplace.com), here’s what to do if your dog is choking:
STEPS TO
PERFORM THE HEIMLICH MANEUVER FOR DOGS:
1. After
determining that your dog is choking, remove any item that may be
constricting the neck. Examine inside the mouth and remove any
foreign object you see. Do not blindly place your hand down your
pet's throat and pull any object you feel. Dogs have small bones
that support the base of their tongues. Owners probing the throat
for a foreign object have mistaken these for chicken bones. Do not
attempt to remove an object unless you can see and identify it. If
your pet is small and you cannot easily remove the object, lift and
suspend him with the head pointed down. For larger animals, lift the
rear legs so the head is tilted down. This can help dislodge an item
stuck in the throat. Another method is to administer a sharp blow
between the shoulder blades using the palm of your hand. This can
sometimes dislodge an object. If this does not work, a modified
Heimlich maneuver can be attempted.
2. Grasp the
animal around the waist so that the rear is nearest to you, similar
to a bear hug.
3. Place a
fist just behind the ribs.
4. Compress
the abdomen several times (usually 3-5 times) with quick pushes.
5. Check the
mouth to see if the foreign object has been removed.
This
maneuver can be repeated one to two times, but if it is not
successful on the first attempt, make arrangements to immediately
take your pet to the nearest veterinary hospital. Even if you are
successful in removing a foreign object, veterinary examination is
recommended. Internal injury could have occurred that may not be
apparent. |
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March 2010 - Pets being evacuated from
Haiti may be infected with screwworm, so if you have
pets that have been in contact with any animal coming from Haiti,
notify your vet immediately. For more info, go to
http://www.wsvma.affiniscape.com/associations/2620/files/Screwworm%20letter2.pdf. |
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February 2010 - Some
Tylenol, Benadryl, Motrin, St Joseph and Rolaids products have been
recalled. If you have
any of these in your medicine cabinet, you might want to check the
lot numbers against the FDA list. Many of us have Benadryl for our
dogs, so you might want to check it.
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Safety/Recalls/UCM197769.pdf
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/uc
m195704.htm |
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February 2010 - The San Francisco
Chronicle reports two veterinary drugs made by Teva Animal
Health have been recalled by the FDA, which shut the company
down in July; however, this was not widely publicized until
December. The recalls involve two commonly used injectable
veterinary drugs: butorphanol, a fast-acting opioid used to control
pain from surgical procedures in dogs and cats, and the anesthetic
agent ketamine, which is part of a "cocktail" of drugs that induces
anesthesia in animals, including dogs and cats. It can be used,
usually with valium, prior to surgery, a dental cleaning and
sometimes as a form of restraint for procedures such as an imaging
scan. It's not the only drug that can be used in this way, but it's
one of the most common. |
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December 2009 - Got the Swine flu? You might
pass it along to your pet, according to Dick Hesse, “a flu expert
and director of virology in Kansas State University’s Veterinary
Diagnostic Laboratory” who states that “a small number of companion
animal H1N1 flu cases have been confirmed in the U.S” in
animals known to have been in contact with infected persons;
however, “there is no evidence of pets passing H1N1 to people at
this time.” Companion animals can be tested for the flu by use of
nasal or oral swabs, which you can obtain from your vet and submit
to a lab for testing. |
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December 2009 - Blastomycosis is an infection
found in dogs, people, and occasionally cats. It is caused by the
fungal organism Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is found as a
mold in the soil or at room temperatures and as a yeast in
tissues or at body temperatures. The mold occurs in sandy, acid
soils near river valleys or other waterways. Endemic in Ohio,
Mississippi, and St. Lawrence river valleys, the Great lakes region,
and along the eastern seaboard, veterinarians report blastomycosis
more frequently in the fall. While any dog may contract
blastomycosis under the right circumstances, certain populations are
at greater risk. These include the hunting and sporting breeds since
their use involves exposure to soil in wet areas, and young adult
dogs, which are more likely to be used in hunting or field trials
than old dogs or pups. For unknown reasons, male dogs are more
likely to contract blastomycosis than females. One study found that,
while female dogs may have better survival rates with therapy, they
are more likely to suffer relapses than males. So, while all dogs
are susceptible to blastomycosis, those at greatest risk for
infection are two-to-four year old intact males of hunting or
sporting breeds that weigh 50-75 pounds and are exposed to river
valleys or lakes during late summer or fall. For more info, go to
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/blstomyc.html.
At least one Dane has recently been diagnosed with this infection. |
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November 2009 - Pennies minted after
1982 are toxic to pets if ingested. They’re made of zinc
surrounded by copper; stomach acids quickly break down the zinc and
feed it into the bloodstream where it attacks red blood cells,
causing them to rupture, a condition known as hemolytic anemia.
Kidney failure can also be a result of ingesting the post-1982
pennies. |
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November 2009 - Another article by Dr.
Powell can be found at
http://greatdanereview.com/html/bloat_article.html
regarding preventing GDV through use of prophylactic
gastropexy to tack the stomach into place. The different types
of gastropexy surgeries are listed and when it should be done, as
well as addressing the controversy over whether breeding dogs should
have the surgery since that could perpetuate the incidence of
bloating in those bloodlines. Another article which goes into a
little more detail about the different procedures available is by
Dr. Karen Leshkevich and can be found at
http://members.fortunecity.com/houndfancy/procon.html/. |
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August 2009 - Cardiomyopathy is a common
heart disease that can be fatal in both humans and animals. Dr.
Kathryn Meurs, a Veterinarian Cardiologist at Washington State
University, has discovered the gene mutation that causes
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy in Boxers. A DNA
test is now available for boxers which “not only helps Boxer
breeders avoid this disease but it also provides an extraordinary
advancement to the study of human heart diseases resulting from
electrical conduction defects and the resulting heart muscle changes
that occur.” Similar tests for other breeds will likely follow soon.
For more information, go to
http://americanboxerclub.org/heart-gene.html. |
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August 2009 - Many people
leave the TV or radio on when they leave home so their pets
won’t feel so alone, but studies suggest that practice may actually
create more stress for our pets because of the drastic changes in
programming and the random mix of music; it creates noise, but
not necessarily a relaxing environment. Studies show that dogs
and cats prefer classical music played softly; in fact, classical
harp music is being used to alleviate stress and heal sickness. Cats
will relax in front of speakers when classical music is playing and
dogs will bark less, especially when listening to Bach. A CD was
created in 2006 especially for pets by a Disney composer; it’s
called “Music My Pet”. I checked Amazon.com and found they had that
CD along with a variety of other music CDs designed to soothe pets.
Be sure to use the link on our website
to shop at
,
our
Great Dane Rescue will receive 5% of
your order. |
August 2009 - The Sago Palm or
Cycad, commonly used in landscaping and as
a houseplant, is toxic to pets and humans alike if any part
of the plant, seeds or roots are ingested. Signs of illness first
appear about 12 hours after ingestion and include vomiting, diarrhea
and lethargy. The toxins in the plant lead to severe liver failure
with progressive weakness, jaundice, bruising and bleeding and other
signs of liver failure that lead to death. It is estimated that
75-80% of animals ingesting this plant will die in spite of
aggressive medical treatment. If you have one of these plants in
your home you will want to be sure to keep it away from pets and
children, preferably by disposing of it safely in a covered trash
can or “rehome” it with someone who does not have pets or young
children in the household. |
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August 2009 - Home remedies:
1. Eliminate ear mites - All it takes is a few drops of
Wesson Corn Oil in your dog's ear. Massage it in, then clean with a
cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the skin,
smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.
2. Kills fleas instantly - Dawn Dishwashing
Liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and
shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations.
Good-bye fleas. |
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The people
responsible for importing the pet food from China contaminated
with melamine in 2007 have
agreed to plead guilty. The Kansas City couple and their company,
ChemNutra, imported 800
metric tons of contaminated wheat gluten and sold it to pet food
manufacturers knowing it
had not been properly inspected. They were charged with multiple
misdemeanor counts of
introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce, introduction of misbranded food into
interstate commerce and one felony count of conspiracy to commit
wire fraud. Thousands of dogs and
cats reportedly died. |
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Cocoa mulch
is highly lethal to dogs; it’s made from crushed shells of cacao
beans and contains theobromine,
which is present in all chocolate, especially dark chocolate. Dogs
are attracted to the
chocolate smell, but ingestion can lead to severe convulsions and
death. |
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The American
Kennel Club wants to get the word out about these summer safety
tips:
Heatstroke can be the serious and often fatal result of a dog's
prolonged exposure to excessive heat. Below are the signs of
heatstroke and the actions you should take if your dog is overcome.
Early
Stages:
Heavy
panting
Rapid
breathing
Excessive
drooling
Bright red
gums and tongue
Standing
4-square, posting or spreading out in an attempt to maintain balance
Advanced
Stages:
White or
blue gums
Lethargy,
unwillingness to move
Uncontrollable urination or defecation
Labored,
noisy breathing
Shock
If your dog
begins to exhibit signs of heatstroke, you should immediately try to
cool the dog down:
Apply
rubbing alcohol to the dog's paw pads
Apply ice
packs to the groin area
Hose down
with water
Allow the
dog to lick ice chips or drink a small amount of water
Offer Pedialyte to
restore electrolytes |
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An article in the April 2009 issue of Dogs in Review
discusses heart problems in dogs, including dilated
cardiomyopathy in which the heart muscle becomes flabby and
inefficient and muscle contractions are not sufficient to empty the
heart with each beat. Traditional drug therapy has involved a
combination of drugs—diuretics to reduce the fluid overload,
medications to dilate blood vessels and drugs to help the heart beat
more strongly and efficiently. A new drug on the U.S. market,
pimobendan (trade name Vetmedin) accomplishes two things—dilation of
blood vessels and sensitizing “the cardiac muscle contracture sites
to the presence of calcium, making the heart beat more efficiently.”
Side effects caused by more traditional drugs, such as arrhythmias
and increase in oxygen demand of the heart muscle, are not present
with this drug, making it safer for the dogs. Although new to the
U.S., this drug “has been used in Europe, Great Britain, Canada and
Australia for years.”
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If you feed Eagle Pack or Wellness dog foods,
be aware both companies have been acquired by Berwind Industries
and merged into a single company, so watch for any changes in
formulations. |
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There’s an interesting article about the genetic
determination of Dane coat and nose colors on the HealthGene
website; go to
http://healthgene.com/canine/colortest.asp?breedid=31.
It’s all about “a” and “d” and “k” alleles at the E locus, so I
won’t attempt to provide a synopsis here, but you can have your dog
tested via blood sample for $65. |
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A disturbing article about adverse reactions to
vaccines has been written by Catherine O’Driscoll and can be
found at
http://www.dogsadversereactions.com/scienceVaccineDamage.html.
A Purdue University study has found that vaccinated dogs developed
“autoantibodies to many of their own biochemicals… This means that
the vaccinated dogs—‘but not the non-vaccinated dogs’—were attacking
their own fibronectin, which is involved in tissue repair, cell
multiplication and growth and differentiation between tissues and
organs in a living organism.” They also developed autoantibodies to
a chemical called laminin with the conclusion that “vaccines thus
appear to be capable of removing the natural intelligence of cells.”
In addition, the Purdue studies found that vaccinated dogs “were
developing autoantibodies to their own collagen” which constitutes
about one-quarter of all protein found in the body and explains the
mobility problems some dogs suffer after vaccination. |
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New AAHA Vaccine Guidelines The American
Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has developed new guidelines for
administering vaccines to dogs and cats. After the initial series of
puppy shots, parvo, distemper and adenovirus vaccines should be
given no more frequently than every 3 years; rabies vaccines should
be given according to state law, either every year or every 3 years;
parainfluenza vaccine should be given every 3 years; bordatella and
lyme disease annually; leptospira annually, but only when indicated
for a particular area; giardia vaccines are not recommended. The
entire article is 28 pages; if you’d like to read it, go to this
link:
http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/VaccineGuidelines06Revised.pdf.
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Rabies Vaccine Ordinances Wichita
KS has amended its rabies vaccination ordinance to require the
vaccine be administered at least every three years instead of
annually; let’s hope that catches on in Missouri. You can read the
news article about it at:
http://www.kansas.com/news/story/728918.html. |
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In 2007 researchers discovered the genetic panel
for hip dysplasia; new studies are now underway to confirm and
refine those findings with the hopes of developing a simple DNA test
that will provide a way to identify dogs at risk at a young age. For
more information, go to
http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/faculty/view.php?id=178. |
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Top 10
Health Problems Based on claims filed with pet insurance
carriers, the top 10 health problems experienced by dogs in 2008
were:
1. Ear
Infections - the most common symptoms are red, itchy or smelly ears
2. Skin
Allergies - the most common symptoms are red skin, hair loss,
itching
3. Pyoderma/Hot
Spots - the most common symptom is a hairless, moist, painful area
on the skin, often on the neck or rear end
4.
Gastritis/Vomiting - the most common sign is vomiting and/or lack of
appetite
5.
Enteritis/Diarrhea - the most common symptom is loose or frequent
stools
6. Urinary
Tract Infections - the most common symptoms are frequent urination,
inappropriate
urination,
or bloody urine
7. Benign
Skin Tumors - the most common symptom is an abnormal lump or growth
on or under the skin
8.
Osteoarthritis - the most common symptoms are lameness, trouble
getting up or walking
9. Eye
Inflammation - the most common symptoms are a red, irritated or
painful eye
10.
Hypothyroidism - the most common symptoms are hair loss and weight
gain
Common signs
of illness:
1. Lack of
appetite
2. Decreased
activity
3. Weakness
or loss of balance and coordination
4. Lethargy
(lack of interest in the environment)
5. Weight
loss
6. Increased
water consumption (a sign of kidney disease and diabetes)
7. Dull,
lusterless coat or dog not grooming itself
8. Bad breath (a sign of
dental disease and metabolic disorders) |
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Top 6
Skin Ailments The winter 2009 edition of the Barking Bulletin
has an interesting article on the top six skin ailments; this is
actually a reprint of a 2008 article which originally appeared in
the March/April 2008 edition of AKC Family Dog. It briefly discusses
various allergies, parasites, infections and other common problems.
Go to:
http://www.akcphp.com/BHIACMS/R/documents/Newsletters/2009/Q1/Newsletter.html
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Possible tick remedy?
This came through on the internet, so I don’t know if it works or
not. Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick
with the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds
(15-20); the tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the
cotton ball when you lift it away. This is great, because it works
in those places where it's sometimes difficult to get to with
tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair,
etc. |
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Toxic Plant The
Sago palm, a popular houseplant with dark green leaves and hairy
trunk, is highly toxic to dogs and cats; common signs of poisoning
include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures and liver
failure. |
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