![\"Allium](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1-1.png\")
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If you witnessed or strongly suspect your pet ingested onions, garlic, chives, or leeks, this is considered an \u201cORANGE\u201d \u2013 or urgent case \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage system. We recommend calling ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 for help determining if your pet consumed a toxic amount and for guidance on what to do next. If veterinary care is advised, call your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital ahead of your arrival.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n If\u00a0<\/span>you\u2019re<\/span>\u00a0a foodie like me,\u00a0<\/span>fall and the holiday<\/span>\u00a0season<\/span>\u00a0are an absolute joy!<\/span>\u00a0But\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0not just about the\u00a0<\/span>pumpkin crave<\/span>\u00a0or an apple kick \u2013\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0also about those\u00a0<\/span>savory<\/span>\u00a0favorites like grandma\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>classic\u00a0<\/span>hotdish<\/span>, garlic and chive mashed potatoes, stuffing, and more!\u00a0<\/span>Some of the most basic, universal ingredients we love to use for these delicious dishes though include onions, garlic, chives, and leeks \u2013 which are all members of the Allium species.<\/span>\u00a0But when\u00a0<\/span>you\u2019re<\/span>\u00a0in the kitchen<\/span>\u00a0with your<\/span>\u00a0allium of choice and see your dog\u00a0<\/span>begging<\/span>\u00a0with those puppy<\/span>-dog<\/span>\u00a0eyes,\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0important to ask:\u00a0<\/span>i<\/span>s\u00a0<\/span>this<\/span>\u00a0safe to share with my pet?\u00a0<\/span>Unfortunately, t<\/span>he answer is<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>no.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n All alliums have sulfur-containing oxidants (SCO), which give them their\u00a0<\/span>pungent<\/span>\u00a0smell and flavor.\u00a0<\/span>The SCOs cause oxidative injury to red blood cells, which leads to the destruction of the red blood cells (hemolysis) and results in\u00a0<\/span>life-threatening\u00a0<\/span>anemia.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Whether raw, cooked, dried, liquid, fresh, or over-the-hill, all forms of alliums can\u00a0<\/span>have this effect<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>on<\/span>\u00a0both dogs and cats.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Typically, pets experience allium poisoning after eating a raw or cooked plant.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Pets can still experience allium poisoning when pet owners give\u00a0<\/span>pets<\/span>\u00a0garlic as a flea\/tick repellant. Although these are often considered \u201codor-free\u201d and have many of the SCOs removed, their use can still cause anemia. Please speak with your family veterinarian to discuss safer and much more effective alternative flea\/tick preventatives.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n T<\/span>he more\u00a0<\/span>pungent<\/span>\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span>allium<\/span>, the more toxic it is.\u00a0<\/span>So,<\/span>\u00a0garlic is more toxic than onions, which are more toxic than chive<\/span>s or<\/span>\u00a0leeks. Onion and garlic powders are considered much more toxic than their raw forms because they are dried and concentrated.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Unfortunately, clinical signs of allium poisoning only become noticeable once the damage is done. In other words, the larger the dose your pet ate and the more obvious the symptoms, the more severe the internal damage!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The earliest clinical signs\u00a0of toxicity\u00a0are\u00a0gastrointestinal upset, followed by signs of anemia within several days. Common\u00a0signs of anemia\u00a0include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A diagnosis\u00a0<\/span>of<\/span>\u00a0allium\u00a0<\/span>toxicity<\/span>\u00a0is made based on blood test results, your pet\u2019s history, and clinical exam findings. There is no specific treatment, but patients often require oxygen supplementation and blood transfusions.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you suspect your pet may have eaten any form of an allium<\/span>\u00a0or dishes that contain an allium<\/span>, contact your veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital immediately for treatment. Veterinary professionals will be able to safely induce vomiting and monitor your pet for signs of anemia. DO NOT try to induce vomiting at home with hydrogen peroxide, as it has shown to cause severe ulceration of the lining of the stomach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We hope your fall is full of good smells in the kitchen \u2013 and no allium poisonings! Remember, <\/span><\/span>prevention is best so\u00a0<\/span>keep<\/span>\u00a0your pet away from these tempting foods whenever possible. Our best recommendation is to\u00a0<\/span>keep pets<\/span>\u00a0out of the kitchen while cooking with any allium or other toxic ingredient<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>It’s<\/span>\u00a0also\u00a0<\/span>a good idea<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0remind family and house guests not to share food with the pets without your permission. Happy cooking<\/span>!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
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\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\nWhy are onions, garlic, chives, leeks, & other alliums toxic to my pet?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
What about using garlic as a flea\/tick repell<\/span>e<\/span>nt?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Are all alliums equally toxic?\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\nWhat happens if my pet experiences allium poisoning?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
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How is my pet diagnosed and treated?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
What should I do if my pet\u00a0<\/span>does eat an allium?\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
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