ATTENTION PET OWNERS

Mulch made by Hershey

Attention GDB Alumni,

Graduate Services and the Veterinary Department would like me to pass on this information regarding concerns about the safety of using Cocoa Mulch made by Hershey.

Recent postings on list serves have expressed concern about the danger to dogs presented by a gardening product, called Cocoa Mulch. Essentially, our GDB Vet Staff think it is a valid concern, as dogs will eat this attractive smelling mulch which can be toxic to them if ingested. In their opinion, the dog would have to eat 5oz (about ½ pound) to become seriously ill, but it could happen. If you buy this product and place it in your yard you should not let your dogs have unsupervised access to it for prolonged periods, especially at first. Once it breaks down a little in the sun and weather it should be less attractive and less toxic, but you should still be careful. The recommendation from the vet staff is that grads avoid using this product.

Theresa Duncan

Bread dough a no-no

As the holidays descend upon us, there'll be many cooks in the kitchen--but don't spoil your pet by giving him bread dough. According to Jill A. Richardson, DVM, of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), when bread dough is ingested, an animal's body heat causes the dough to rise in the stomach. As alcohol is produced during the rising process, the dough expands. Pet's who've eaten bread dough may experience abdominal pain, bloat, vomiting, disorientation and depression.

"We once had a case in which a Labrador retriever ate several rolls that the owner had placed on the oven to rise. The owner didn't think much of this, and was just upset that the dog ate part of the holiday feast," Richardson recalls. "A few hours later, the owner noticed the dog looked very lethargic. He was resistant to move, uncoordinated and was retching." As the symptoms increased, the owner brought him to an emergency clinic, which contacted the APCC. Unfortunately, the dog's stomach was so severely distended that the only option at the time was to surgically remove the dough; he was also treated for alcohol toxicosis, caused by the fermentation of the dough. The Labrador was kept at the clinic for the weekend and recovered completely. Although he had ingested quite a bit of dough, an animal needs to eat only a small amount to cause a problem, because bread dough can rise many times its size. Please take care not to let Fluffy or Fido in the kitchen unsupervised when you're baking this holiday season--especially if you've got a professional chowhound who's always on the lookout for food.