I gave my puppy a meatball that onions in it - please help!

[spikerules]

I didnt realise that my mother cooked meatballs with onions and garlic in them. I gave my dog just one ball earlier today and when my mother told me I became very worried about him. He is a choc lab, about 3.5 months old and was 11kg when I weighed him at the local vet around a two weeks ago.

He hasnt shown any signs of tiredness and hasnt collapsed or been sick since digesting the onions around 5hrs ago. From the look of the meetballs (same batch) they were tiny thin sliced peices around .5cm to 1cm at most in length and from what I saw (within a meatball I checked from same batch) no more than a paper width for some to a mm at most in width. The meatballs arent BIG, they are just average sized to smallish with, at most, 6 peices at the size mentioned above in each ball. Also, my mother mentioned that only one onion went into a batch of around 25-30 meatballs.

This was just one meatball, so am I just being paranoid or is there a real concern for my beloved puppy? Also, I phoned the emergency vet and she said there was nothing to worry about unless I started to see some symptoms. She also said I should try to make him sick if I was THAT worried. I tried squirting salt water (as suggested by the VET) but my dog only gagged a bit but wasnt sick.

Can someone please help me?
Thanks
Spike

[katherine93]

I dont think you should worry to much, my beagle ate a full bottle of jet dry earlier today and hes fine. My dogs have eaten onion and garlic before and they are all fine!


Welcome to pets.ca! You will meet alot of wonderful people here!

[spikerules]

Thank you Katherine93,
I am on nights at the moment here in the UK, and I am making some silly mistakes just thinking about the poor little one at home. I have been ringing home every 30mins checking on him.

This seems like a brilliant forum for pet lovers, so I hope to make a lot of new friends. I just hate that I've had to introduce myself with this particular story

[LavenderRott]

Take a deep breath and relax. I seriously doubt that your dog will become ill.

Back in the day - before the internet - I had a collie that got a tsp. of garlic powder on her dog food every single day. It worked great for keeping fleas and ticks off of her. Other then some killer breath, she was fine.

Some dogs can eat onions and garlic with no issues. While I don't think the meatball will hurt your dog - I wouldn't suggest letting him eat a big Vidalia.

[katherine93]

Your welcome- Sounds to me like you have one lucky pooch to have somebody caring about him as much as you do! Alot of people introduce themselves on here with a story like yours, Accually i had to introduce myself because my mouse was dying. Unfortunatly, even with the help of these wonderful people, My mouse died a few weeks later. Give your pup a nice big hug for me when you get home!

[rainbow]

My husky ate almost a whole onion when he was about a year old and he was fine although I was a nutcase for a day or two worrying.

[spikerules]

Thanks guys!
It's a relief to hear that I was being a little too paranoid! I will still be ringing home and waking everyone up though... I just need to check on him

[spikerules]

Originally Posted by katherine93

Your welcome- Sounds to me like you have one lucky pooch to have somebody caring about him as much as you do! Alot of people introduce themselves on here with a story like yours, Accually i had to introduce myself because my mouse was dying. Unfortunatly, even with the help of these wonderful people, My mouse died a few weeks later. Give your pup a nice big hug for me when you get home!

Sorry to hear about your mouse Katherine. You sound like a keen animal lover, which is always a good quality in my book! And dont worry, when I get home I'm going to give little Rizo the biggest hug in the world

[rainbow]

I'm sure he will be okay.

Btw.....welcome to pets.ca and we would love to see pics of your little guy as soon as you can post some.

[spikerules]

Originally Posted by rainbow

I'm sure he will be okay.

Btw.....welcome to pets.ca and we would love to see pics of your little guy as soon as you can post some.

No problem! I have some pics on me from about a month ago, but I havent got any recent ones due to my memory on my phone running out. I will post them in a couple of hours

[Winston]

Welcome Spike rules! dont worry we all come here with questions, emergencies and just general animal chat! Hope to see pics of your furry family soon!

I have a choc lab at home too and when he was about 8 weeks old he decided the kitty litter box was a snack! let me tell you I freaked out! because it was clumping litter I assumed when all the liquids in his tummy hit the litter it would create a great BIG clump in him! needless to say he was fine! or maybe I was just really lucky! all I know is they are so much fun when they are pups but look out! they want everything in their mouth!

Cheers
Cindy

[spikerules]

His Daddy When I first went to see him @ 6 weeks

[spikerules]

Originally Posted by Winston

Welcome Spike rules! all I know is they are so much fun when they are pups but look out! they want everything in their mouth!

Cheers
Cindy

Thanks Cindy! Yeah tell me about it... he's like a walking tummy

[Dr Lee]

While I agree with everyone that one meatball with some onions it in is not very likely to cause a problem, however I do not want anyone reading this thread walking away with the idea that garlic and onions are 'okay'. I believe the problem has more to do with repetitive and chronic exposure however single episodes can be fatal however the amount does need to be a lot. Here is the info on onion toxicity.

Onions are members of the genus Allium (Other members of this genus include garlic, leek, shallot, and chive). Pieces of onion, onion powder, or even cooked onion, can cause damage to red blood cells which could result in anemia in both dogs and cats. The primary toxic component is n-propyl disulfide, which causes oxidative damage to erythrocytes, resulting in hemolysis. Toxicoses from fresh, dried, or, powdered plant material have been reported in dogs and cats. In one study, dogs developed hemolytic anemia after being fed 30 g/kg of onions once daily for 3 days. Feeding commercial baby food containing onion powder has also been reported to cause toxicity in cats. Clinical signs associated with onion poisoning include hemolytic anemia, hemoglobinuria, vomiting, weakness, and pallor. (information from Jill Richardson, DVM)

Because any small amounts of garlics, leeks, onions etc... will cause some anemia, giving it on a regular basis is not a good idea. Even low amount of red blood cell loss may decrease a pet's immune system and energy and thus reduce the quality of life. Pets that are very old or very young, have any anemia for other reasons or any other diseases are more susceptible to having problems from ingesting plant members of the allium family. It is important to note that a low grade anemia by itself would be unnoticed by the owner or on a physical examination. In fact it may not be easily apparent on blood tests. However I do not think there would be any argument that a low level, even if sub therapeutic, anemia is not good for anyone.

So bottom line, an occasional low exposure of onions or garlic is not likely to cause apparent sickness and does not necessarily mean that we need to rush to the vet, but it will cause some level of red blood cell loss, so lets keep it to a minimum!

[hazelrunpack]

Our littlest dog, about the size of a beagle, developed a taste for my spring onions. I finally had to dig them up because I was afraid she'd get sick. I know she ate a lot more than your dog did before I managed to get the offending veggies out of the garden, though, and she didn't get sick. Once the onions were gone, the little dickens started on the chives... *sigh*

At any rate, I'm sure your dog will be fine. Good thing, too, cuz he's a real cutie!

Welcome to the board, spikerules!

[hazelrunpack]

Dr Lee, do you know if the toxicity of chives and onions is about on par? The vet told us Grace would need to eat an ounce of chives for every pound of body weight before they'd be toxic--that would be about 2 pounds of chives... Would that be true of onions, as well, or are they more 'potent'? I only asked the vet about the chives cuz I was still sore from digging up the onions and was hoping I wouldn't have to wield any more spades for a while.

[kathryn]

One time my old rottie got into my Christmas candy when I was about 10 years old. Ate an entire bag of Hersheys kisses, WITH the wrappers on, and some of the plastic bag too. He pooped it right out and was completely fine.

Just to show sometimes dogs can be tough (but dumb!).

Don't think you have anything to worry about.

He's cute by the way.

[spikerules]

Thanks all, I appreciate the quick responses! I am now sure that Rizo will be fine as long as I dont make the same mistake again.

When I bought him I had the intention of never allowing him to beg at the table or give him anything other than the dog treats from the pet store (for training) or his usual dried doggy food.

However, a week ago my brother started to feed him at the table (when I told him not to - grrrr) and now he just sits there whilst I eat, with his head tilted until I give in, which is probably how I made the onion mistake. I am normally very strict on his diet and its a shame to see that I have caved in only after a short time with him.

I will be going back to my normal strict diet routine with him now, no matter how much he begs or whines. For training I will only use treats from the pet store or carrots from the local market. I've already trained him how to sit and give me his paw, next step is getting him to stay as he always has a little trouble with staying put.. he stays, but only until I am out of site and then he comes and finds me And when I tell him to come he kinda stays put. haha. Getting there though!

[Dr Lee]

Originally Posted by hazelrunpack

Dr Lee, do you know if the toxicity of chives and onions is about on par?

I don't know actually. I did a search on VIN and the toxicology lectures and threads all lumped chives in with onions and garlic. They did say excerpts like, "Allium species include onions, garlic, leek, shallot, chives, and a number of ornamental flowering plants. Animals can become exposed to Allium species through ingestion of plants in gardens or grown in the home, by onions or garlic fed directly to the pet, or in food additives. Garlic is sometimes advocated as a dietary supplement to deter flea infestation. Alliums are toxic regardless of whether the consumed plant is raw, cooked, or dehydrated."

Sorry that I can't answer that one. If I come across that answer I will try to make a new thread on it.

[hazelrunpack]

Thanks for checking, Dr Lee. I'll keep looking, too...

[hazelrunpack]

So, spikerules, when are we going to get to see more pics of your little darlin' Rizo? I think we need to see some more, just to make sure that he's as cute as he looks, eh?

[spikerules]

Originally Posted by hazelrunpack

So, spikerules, when are we going to get to see more pics of your little darlin' Rizo? I think we need to see some more, just to make sure that he's as cute as he looks, eh?

I will try to take some pics tomorrow, but I cant be sure if I will have enough time. Will try as best as I can though!

[rainbow]

Originally Posted by hazelrunpack

So, spikerules, when are we going to get to see more pics of your little darlin' Rizo? I think we need to see some more, just to make sure that he's as cute as he looks, eh?

Originally Posted by spikerules

I will try to take some pics tomorrow, but I cant be sure if I will have enough time. Will try as best as I can though!

WOO HOO, cuz Rizo is sure adorable ....and we need bigger pics next time in the Photo Forum.

[katherine93]

Hey spike rules..any updates? i assume everythig is fine wit him!

[spikerules]

Hi Katherine,
Rizo is just fine, he's running around like a lunatic still trying to eat anything he can get his mouth on. Thanks for asking I will try and post some pictures that I took a little earlier today, if time and work permit.

Thanks
Spike

[rainbow]

WOO HOO.....I hope they are bigger cuz he's such a cutie.

[spikerules]

rainbow,
Sorry cant attach bigger files atm because I dont think I have been given the privileges yet I can use imageshack as I did yesterday, but I think its best to wait or we'll have broken links on threads in the future I didnt realise we werent supposed to use third party image websites! OOOPS

[spikerules]

Well today my poor Rizo has been sick a few times, but I think its more to do with the sudden change of food the vet purscribed than the onion thing. Basically she purscribed the soft food to settle his tummy, but it seems to have made it worse? I was told to give it to him 4 times a day for 2 days. Was this done on purpose to clear his system or was it a mistake by the vet to change Rizo's diet so suddenly?

I always thought changing his diet instantly (this is from dried to soft food) would make him sick?

[Sylvie]

What a cutie!

What happened to make the vet change the food? I thought that he was O.K.

In my experience, changing the food all at once can leadto an upset tummy.

I have had rescues that could eat anything and not show any signs of upset and others that just a little change upsets their tummies. Not sure why it was such a sudden change.

Hope everything is O.K. with the little cutie!!

[spikerules]

Thanks Sylvie,
The change happened because he was looking a little worse for wear, but the vet didnt think it was due to the meatball. So she decided to change the diet for a couple of days. My mother has taken Rizo to the vet again, so fingers crossed!

Update: - He's back at home now and everything will be ok. Just an upset tummy from the change of food.