Category: vet approved

Star fruit or carambola is an appropriately named southeast Asian fruit of the tree of the same name. It’s a global food item grown in the warmer USDA Plant Hardiness Zones of 10 and 11 in the United States.¹ Its unusual shape and brightly colored flesh make it a unique culinary addition, whether eaten raw, cooked, or pickled. If your dog likes fruit, you may wonder if you can offer it to your pup.

Unfortunately, the answer is no. It can have severe health effects, especially if it’s a regular treat.

The Problem With Calcium Oxalate

Star fruit is part of the Oxalidaceae or wood sorrel family. The fruit’s toxicity is in this name and its oxalate content. The word “oxalic” comes from the Greek word “oxys,” which means sharp.² Oxalates are either insoluble, as in pothos and Calla lily, or soluble, like rhubarb and star fruit. The former are crystals that can cause painful skin irritation in the mouth, throat, and esophagus. Soluble oxalates are more dangerous as they are absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract and bind with calcium in the bloodstream reducing the amount available to be used.

Scientists refer to oxalate as an anti-nutrient for this reason. It can cause a dangerous drop in calcium in a dog’s bloodstream or hypocalcemia. This mineral is vital for canines and other organisms, including humans. Deficiencies can adversely affect the nervous and muscular system function.³ It can also lead to kidney failure if the pet consumes a lot of oxalate-containing foods.

It may take a day or so before you notice that something is wrong with your pup. It can make the diagnosis more challenging when you don’t see an evident cause and effect. However, a sudden onset of signs in an otherwise healthy pet is often a red flag pointing toward poisoning.

Other Red Flags

Veterinarians typically see oxalate toxicity more often in livestock than in small animals. Research shows they may be more tolerant of these chemical compounds because of their digestive systems. While many unknown factors exist in pets, we can learn from the cautionary tales of the effects of oxalate on other animals.

Best Practices for Introducing New Foods

We strongly urge you to consult the Pet Poison Helpline before offering any new food to your dog. Just because you can eat it doesn’t mean the same thing applies to your pet. Think chocolate, onions, garlic, and grapes—all are toxic to your pup.

You should also offer a small portion the first time you give your dog something new. Then, wait for at least a day before allowing your pup to eat any more. GI distress and vomiting are common signs of many poisonous substances. Notably, an allergic reaction presents quickly with swelling, hives, and redness once it’s triggered, which means you should get them to an animal hospital quickly.

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, star fruit is not on the list of safe foods you can give your dog. We don’t recommend offering your pet even small bits of this otherwise tasty fruit. Instead, offer your pooch treats formulated for canines and make sure to limit them to no more than 10% of its daily caloric intake. If your dog has eaten a star fruit contact your veterinarian straight away for advice.

Featured Image Credit: ignartonosbg, Pixabay

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If you have ever wondered how many teeth your dog has, you’ve come to the right place. Most dogs have 42 teeth by the time they mature into adults. Here, we look at the different types of dog teeth and discuss their use and structure. We also provide tips for keeping them clean and slowing the progression of dental disease.

Basic Dog Tooth Structure

Crown

The crown is part of the dog’s tooth that protrudes above the gums and is exposed. There is a small tubercle at the edge of every tooth. The crown is covered by the hardest substance of the body, enamel, which is made of 90% minerals and is irreplaceable.

Dentin

The layer underneath the enamel is a 70% mineral substance that provides support to the tooth and is constantly being formed. The dentin extends from the crown to the root’s tip (called the apex). Underneath the gumline, the dentin is covered by cementum.

Neck

The neck of the tooth is the slightly constricted area of the tooth right at the gums. It is where the enamel ends and where you will find the cementoenamel, which is the anatomical border of the tooth. This area is the most common location of cavities in dogs and cats.

Pulp

The pulp contains blood vessels and nerves and is responsible for the sensation of pain in the tooth. In fact, all sensations in the tooth are perceived as pain. Whenever the pulp’s nerves are stimulated, whether due to heat, cold, or trauma, the feeling is painful.

Root

A tooth’s root is below the gum and holds the tooth to the jawbone by embedding the tooth’s socket, or alveolar bone. Many dog teeth can have more than one root.

Deciduous Teeth

Deciduous teeth are the dog version of baby teeth and fall out as the dog develops. These teeth start to develop about 2-3 weeks after birth, and your puppy will have 28 fully grown deciduous teeth after 10 weeks. When your pup is 4 months old, these teeth will then start to fall out, to be replaced by permanent canine teeth by the time the dog reaches 8 months old. If these puppy teeth don’t all fall out, you might need to visit the vet to have them pulled.

Types of Adult Dog Teeth

Incisors

Incisors are the small front teeth that your dog uses to tear meat from bones and groom themselves. They will have six incisors on the top and six on the bottom.

Canines

Canines are the sharp, pointy teeth on the top and bottom and each side of your dog’s mouth and resemble fangs. Your dog will have four in total and use them to puncture and hold items securely. It’s these teeth that give your dog an advantage in the tug-of-war games.

Premolars

Premolars make up the bulk of your dog’s teeth, and there are 16 in their mouth, with eight on the top and eight on the bottom. Your dog will use these teeth to shear and grind up food, and it’s these teeth that are used when you see your dog chewing on something with the side of their mouth.

Molars

Molars are big, flat, heavy teeth in the back of your dog’s mouth. They will have four on the top and six on the bottom. Since your dog can’t move their jaw from side to side, they can’t use the molars to grind food. Instead, they use them like premolars, to shear the food into smaller pieces.

Dental Care

Some reports suggest that as many as 80% of dogs over the age of 3 have some form of dental disease. Unfortunately, there are usually no symptoms, so you will need to take your dog for regular checkups to ensure that no problems develop. It’s also a good idea to start a dental cleaning routine when your pet is still a puppy. Use a pet-safe toothbrush and toothpaste to brush your pet’s teeth frequently.

Summary

Most dogs have 42 teeth, consisting of 12 incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars, and 10 molars. They will start with 28 deciduous teeth, which begin to fall out when the dog is about 4 months old. Your dog uses different types of teeth for various tasks, so it’s important to ensure that they stay healthy by keeping them clean with regular brushing and a diet of crunchy pet food. Regular checkups will also help you keep an eye on your pet’s dental health, so you will know if any problems are developing.

Featured Image Credit: Klaus Hausmann, Pixabay

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If you’re a dog parent, you know how important it’s to keep your canine healthy. However, like humans, dogs are prone to various diseases and conditions that could jeopardize their health. One of the common conditions that occur in dogs is pancreatitis.

As you can guess by the condition’s name, it affects your dog’s pancreas and could be life-threatening. Because of this, it’s essential to learn more about the signs and causes of this condition, as well as how to care for your dog if it has pancreatitis.

What Is Pancreatitis?

Every dog has a pancreas in its abdominal cavity that produces enzymes that allow it to digest food. However, your dog’s pancreas could get inflamed, meaning it suffers from pancreatitis.

When a dog has pancreatitis, its pancreas is not functioning as supposed to, so instead of the digestion enzymes reaching the small intestine; they activate inside the pancreas. That damages both the pancreas and the organs around it, which could cause a lot of pain in your furry friend.

It’s a widespread condition in dogs, so every canine is prone to this condition regardless of its breed, age, and sex.

Both types of pancreatitis are painful for your dog and can vary from mild to severe.

What Are the Signs of Pancreatitis?

There are various signs that indicate your dog is suffering from pancreatitis, although some resemble other diseases, which may make it difficult to determine if your dog has pancreatitis.

While just one of these signs can indicate numerous health issues if you notice multiple of them, remember that your dog may have pancreatitis. Of course, you should always get your dog to the vet, who will perform blood tests and do more testing to find out if your dog has this condition and teach you how to treat it.

What Are the Causes of Pancreatitis?

A strange thing about pancreatitis is that most of the time, veterinarians don’t know the cause of pancreatitis in dogs.

However, some specific causes affect the pancreas and therefore may lead to pancreatitis, including:

How Do I Care for a Dog with Pancreatitis?

If your dog suffers from pancreatitis, you should immediately involve your vet and start treatment. The treatment for your dog will typically depend on the severity of the signs your dog is experiencing.

Treatment	Moderate and Mild Pancreatitis	Severe Pancreatitis
Antinausea medication
Stomach protectants
Pain-reliever medication
Low-fat diet
IV fluid
A feeding tube for nutritional support
Antibiotics

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which Dog Breeds Are Prone to Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is a condition that can affect dogs of all breeds. However, some breeds are more susceptible to this condition than others, including:

Also, older dogs, overweight dogs, and dogs that already have a history of illnesses and health conditions typically have higher chances of getting Pancreatitis.

Is Pancreatitis Painful for Your Dog?

Pancreatitis is an extremely painful condition for dogs. The condition itself causes pain in your dog’s abdomen, but due to other signs that follow this condition, your dog will be in more pain. Pancreatitis commonly causes vomiting, diarrhea, and overall weakness in your dog, which leads to pain in its whole body.

What Kind of Prognosis Do Dogs Suffering from Pancreatitis Have?

The prognosis for a dog suffering from pancreatitis depends on the severity of the condition. Most of the time, if the condition is mild, your dog can easily recover. However, when the condition is severe, your dog might not be able to recover entirely.

Is There a Way to Prevent Pancreatitis in Dogs?

While there are precautionary measures you can take to lower the chances of pancreatitis in your dog, there’s no way to prevent the development of this condition entirely.

A low-fat diet and food supplements can help your dog and lower the chances of this health problem. Also, it’s best to keep your dog active and prevent it from becoming overweight because overweight canines have higher chances of getting pancreatitis.

Another thing to remember is to avoid giving human food to your furry friend. Instead of random foods, give your dog high-quality dog food with enough nutrients that are suitable for your furry friend.

Are There Long-Term Problems After Pancreatitis?

Most of the time, dogs don’t suffer any long-term problems after pancreatitis. However, if your dog has severe pancreatitis, it could experience the following long-term health issues:

Of course, the problems will depend on your dog’s overall health, agility, and age. If your dog does experience long-term problems after pancreatitis, it’s best to speak to your vet about the treatment your canine will need.

Which Foods Make Pancreatitis in Dogs Worse?

If your dog has pancreatitis, you should avoid giving it high-fat foods and high-carb foods. Also, dogs with pancreatitis shouldn’t consume human food, scraps, and foods high in sugar.

While dogs can consume plant-based protein, it’s still better to choose natural protein coming from high-quality meat when your dog has pancreatitis.

Conclusion

Pancreatitis is a widespread disease in dogs, which is why it’s up to you to observe your dog and react promptly to any signs. If you act on time, your dog won’t suffer any long-term damage, and you’ll be able to treat the condition quickly.

Featured Image Credit: Alice Rodnova, Shutterstock

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