Bork bork nom nom onion

My dog is an idiot. Mind, he's nothing like my mother's idiot savant dog, but there are days when I start to wonder if Demon Dog is rubbing off on Hershey. And then Hershey dispels that thought by doing something utterly stupid.

Today's stupidity involves an onion.

A brief detour here: onions, like most bulbs in the Allium family, are toxic to dogs. Onions contain compounds called disulfides (N-propyl disulfide) and thiosulphates which can be toxic to dogs (an cats) if ingested.

The ingestion of onions causes conditions called hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia, and methemoglobinemia which are all manifestation of damage to red blood cells.

Consumption of as little as 15 to 30 g/kg in dogs has resulted in clinically important hematologic changes. Onion toxicities are consistently noted in animals that ingest more than 0.5% of their body weight in onions at one time. Consumption of as little as 5 g/kg of onions in cats or 15 to 30 g/kg in dogs has resulted in clinically important red blood cell damage. Onion toxicosis is consistently noted in animals that ingest more than 0.5% of their body weight in onions at one time. So, think that one fourth of a cup can make a 20-pound dog sick.

Please note that a pet's weight, breed, and prior health history can vary the toxicity level of ingested onion. If you suspect your pet has consumed some type of onion, call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-289-0358 (the helpline does charge a small fee). - "Pets and Onions", Nationwide Pet Health Zone

So what does all that mean?

N-propyl disulfide damages the oxygen-carrying substance found in red blood cells called hemoglobin. This kind of damage can cause red cells to rupture and be cleared from circulation faster than normal. This condition, hemolysis, results in anemia and red or brown urine. - "Are Onions and Garlic Bad for Your Dog" - Caitlin Ultimo, PetMD 

Symptoms of Allium poisoning:

• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Ataxia (lack of coordination)
• Pale gums
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Increased heart and/or respiratory rate
• Red or brown discolored urine
• Hyper-salivation

 Contact your veterinarian or emergency clinic as soon as you identify ingestion of anything in the Allium species of plant or herbs. Treatment should be immediate. In severe cases, oxygen therapy and a blood transfusion may also be required. The outlook is generally good with early and aggressive treatment, but may not be as effective in severe cases or in pets that were not immediately treated by a veterinarian.

Now we come to my pet peeve: feeling your dog table scraps.

Try to avoid exposure of onions and garlic in any form to best prevent your dog from becoming ill. Don't serve food from your plate containing onions or garlic and don't serve prepared human foods without checking the label. And keep the trash covered to prevent your dog from eating the discarded onions from the Sunday roast or any onion scraps from cooking beef stew. - "Are Onions and Garlic Bad for Your Dog" - Caitlin Ultimo, PetMD  

As for Hershey? He ate a small amount of the first onion layer, as well as scattered the damn "paper" all over the basement landing.

It's my mother's onion bag. And a potato bag, and a metric crapton of Publisher's Clearing House junk. It's a wonder that none of us have died by falling down the stairs. More to the point, we have a dog that consumes everything. Her clutter and junk could kill Hershey if we don't keep a sharp eye on him.

        At all times.
                  Which is annoying as hell.
                             Ugh.

A humorous aside to this all: Better Half commented on Hershey's stinky onion breath. It is pretty intensive.