#United States #Minneapolis #Pet Poison Helpline #Bloodhound #Garlic Onions

The Holiday Cooking Nightmare for Pets

As the holiday season approaches, many pet owners are preoccupied with festive cooking and celebrations. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to dangerous situations for our furry friends. Kiana Sutherlin from Minnesota discovered this the hard way when her beloved Bloodhound, Snoopy, became gravely ill after some careless kitchen moments.

In preparation for Thanksgiving last year, Kiana was frying up some delicious chicken wings. To bring out the flavors, she added generous portions of garlic and onion powder—two ingredients that are notoriously harmful to dogs. Unbeknownst to her, this would lead to a frantic trip to the emergency vet.

Snoopy, known for his mischievous behavior and impressive counter-surfing skills, seized an opportunity that would change everything. Kiana had left a pan full of used cooking oil on the stovetop, properly covered to keep it away from prying paws. However, when her husband, Joe, stepped out of the kitchen for a brief phone call, Snoopy saw his chance. Upon returning, Joe found that Snoopy had devoured nearly all of the oil, inadvertently consuming a massive amount of toxic garlic and onion seasoning in the process.

Upon realizing what happened, Kiana watched in horror as Snoopy began retching, unable to keep the oil down. Concerned for her pet's health, she contacted the Pet Poison Helpline, where a knowledgeable toxicologist explained that both onions and garlic can be incredibly toxic to dogs, with garlic being five times more potent.

The Pet Poison Helpline advised Kiana to take Snoopy to the veterinarian immediately, emphasizing the need for swift action to prevent any potential upsets or long-lasting damage. At the BluePearl Pet Hospital, medical staff responded quickly, preparing a treatment plan based on the information Kiana had already gathered when she called the helpline. This foresight allowed the medical team to administer the appropriate care promptly.

Snoopy's treatment included anti-emetics to control vomiting, fluid therapy for rehydration, and medications to protect his gastrointestinal tract. The veterinarian also conducted bloodwork to track any effects the garlic and onions could have had on Snoopy’s red blood cells.

Fortunately, the attentive care from the medical team proved effective, and after a difficult day, Snoopy made a full recovery. Kiana gleefully noted his return to his usual rambunctious behavior but admitted that the entire experience left a lasting impression on their household.

Since the incident, Kiana and Joe have taken strict measures to ensure that Snoopy’s counter-surfing days are behind them. They’ve secured all potential pet hazards in the kitchen and maintain a more vigilant watch during cooking sessions. Ironically, they haven’t fried food since the scare, highlighting how deeply the incident impacted their relationship with culinary preparation.

Pet Poison Helpline stresses the importance of being aware of common toxic food items that can threaten pets during not just the holidays but year-round. Their initiative, "Toxin Tails," aims to educate pet owners and veterinarians about the risks of animal poisoning—so that stories like Snoopy's end well, as his did.

As we gather around our holiday tables, let us remember to keep our furry friends safe from the hidden dangers lurking in our kitchens. The joy of cooking should be enjoyed by all members of the family, pets included—but only when their health is fully protected. The lessons we learn from Snoopy's harrowing experience serve as a gentle reminder to stay educated and cautious during random cooking adventures.