Macademia Toxicosis in Dogs

Recently, Mom Charlene had a scare with cairn Tasha, thinking she had a torn ACL or some other type of paralysis. A local Vet visit only added to the confusion so they mae a trip to UC Davis. Here is her story (it has a VERY happy ending) with an important message for all dog owners.

We are very, very impressed with the Veterinary Speciality Hosptial/ UC Davis. Their care and concern was above and beyond any that we have seen regarding our four legged friends. We arrived early by 30 or so minutes to our appointment (didn't know how traffic was going to be).They checked us in and told us to take a seat.In the waiting room.

They have a big flat screen TV going and it is all about the different things that can harm an animal. Up pops "Macadamia Nuts". The following was what was televised: "Dogs develop a weakness with the inability to stand on their rear legs. Often unable to rise. They are stressed and will usually pant. Sometimes followed by vomiting or Ataxia (walking wobbly)."

I asked Bill if he just saw that and he said he didn't. I told him what I had read and he said 'so'........ I said the dumb crows/ravens have been dropping the macadamia nuts from our neighbors tree into the backyard and Tasha has been picking them and playing with them and chewing on them.

We get called into see Dr. Jackson (UC Davis doctor). His exam of Tasha was every which way but loose. Poor girl. She was a true trooper of being pulled, twisted, stretched, bent, pushed upon, pulled upon, walked, ran, you name it - he did it to her. We talked and questioned each other for a good 30 minutes of her background, her activities, sleeping, eating, pooping and such. At which time he said that this NOT ONE THING WRONG with Tasha..... maybe a little arthritis in her hips, but that is minimal. She is good to go.

We talked more about the hole in her left tibia (where the other vet's thought she had a previous ACL repair). He said that he could not see any signs (shading) of any repair damage would have been if she had had a ACL repair. The only way he could really know was to go in and we all said no.

Anyway - long story short - Towards the end of the exam, I asked him about what I saw on the TV regarding the macadamia nuts and how Tasha was always playing with them and then chewing on them.He said that could have been it. As the toxicosis wears off in 24 to 48 hours. But too much time had gone by to run any tests to determine it.

We are in LOVE with this place! We will still go to our regular vet for all routine services. But we will never, ever step foot into that other "specialists" place, even tho they are much, much closer. Thank you for all your wonderful thoughts, prayers and best wishes........ Our Tasha girl will be with us for a long, long time to come, without the need for surgery.

Here are two very good sites regarding Macadamia Nuts and other poisonous plants, etc. to dogs. http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/toxbrief_0402.pdf?docID=115

http://www.entirelypets.com/toxicfoods.html

Just when we all think we know it all - something comes up and we don't. --
Charlene, Bill and the T-n-T girls
Tootsie - Tasha - Oceanside, CA.