Fact or Fiction

As I was walking with Eric Clapton tonight (on Pandora Radio) I reflected what an awesome weekend I experienced. It started with the NC State Championship Horse Show in Raleigh. One of my friends showed her Morgan Horse with Tara Farm. It was a thrill to be present for her blue ribbon winning performance as I reflected on prior years when I had more time to compete on the horse show circuit (A FACT). One big excitement was to see the Budweiser Clydesdale Horses perform with their 8 horse hitch.

Horse Shows are filled with lots of “horse tales” many of which are rumor rather than fact based. As I reflected on the culture, my thoughts turned to the many myths circulated on the internet about pets. For this blog episode I thought I would share the most common ones I receive from well-intentioned clients that consulted the unfiltered Dr. Google.

#1 A WARM AND DRY NOSE IS THE SIGN OF A FEVER- FALSE

A nose has no correlation with body temperature. The origins of this legend are probably related to when dogs had Distemper virus and the nose grew thick & dry. The most accurate way to take a temperature is rectally. Normal for pets is 101 to 102.8F

#2 SWIFFER WETJET WILL POISON YOUR PET- FALSE

This product from Proctor and Gamble has 4% propylene glycol n-propyl ether that is commonly used as a food additive & part of many safe, household cleaners, not ethylene glycol that is toxic antifreeze. As with any house hold cleaner follow directions for contact and pet exposure with wet floors.  Veterinarians recommend safer, Propylene Glycol containing antifreeze products for households with outdoor pets that may lick radiator fluid leaks on garage floors.

Jack Zadori

 #3 ONLY MALE DOGS WILL “HUMP” OTHER DOGS- FALSE

Such behavior only denotes dominance. It can be seen in intact or neutered male or female dogs. Often many female dogs will also lift there leg to mark their urination spot on walks.

#4 TYLENOL IS TOXIC TO PETS- DEPENDS- YES CATS, NO (not TOXIC) TO DOGS

So it depends on the species. Even for dogs, while safe it is not an effective pain reliever.

Molly Widmann the retired squirrel hunter

 #5 RAISINS ARE TOXIC TO PETS- TRUE

The method of the toxicity is unknown as little as one grape or one raisin per pound can cause kidney failure although the degree of toxicity varies between breeds.

#6 COCOA MULCH IS TOXIC TO DOGS - TRUE

This landscaping mulch is not very palliative to pets; however, if ingested the signs can mimic acute chocolate poisoning due to the theobromine: vomiting, trembling, racing heart rate, and seizures.

#7 EATING PENNIES CAN CAUSE KIDNEY FAILURE IN DOGS- TRUE

Yes, pennies minted since 1982 contain 97.5% zinc. Stomach acid releases the zinc that causes destruction of the red blood cells and kidney failure.

#8 ICE WATER CAUSES BLOAT IN DOGS- FALSE

Bloat is caused by stomach distension abnormally that may twice and lead to a twisted stomach called torsion.

Betsy T. Sigmon DVM

Hospital Director, Creature Comforts Animal Hospital

Chelsea from Saving Grace Pet Adoptions