Why are macadamia nuts toxic to dogs

Dogs will readily eat the plain nuts, salted nuts, nuts in baked goods and those covered in chocolate or candy. Many nut containing products also contain the sweetener xylitol, chocolate and grape products sultanas and raisins that are also poisonous to dogs. The prognosis for recovery is excellent, however veterinary assessment may be required. A tailored risk assessment should be performed for each individual dog that has ingested macadamia nuts, including consideration of the other ingredients that may be in the nut containing product and any concurrent illness a pet has that may make poisoning more likely or more severe e.

Macadamia nut toxicosis is a syndrome that occurs in dogs after ingestion of macadamia nuts. It is characterized by vomiting, weakness, hyperthermia, and CNS depression. Ingestion of macadamia nuts by dogs has been associated with a nonfatal syndrome characterized by vomiting, ataxia, weakness, hyperthermia, and depression.

Dogs are the only species in which signs have been reported. Macadamia nuts are cultivated from Macadamia integrifolia in the continental US and M tetraphylla in Hawaii and Australia. The mechanism of toxicity is not known. Dogs have shown signs after ingesting 2.

Tremors may be secondary to muscle weakness. Macadamia nuts may be identified in vomitus or feces. Mild, transient increases in serum triglyceride, lipase, and alkaline phosphatase concentrations were reported in some dogs experimentally dosed with macadamia nuts; these values quickly returned to baseline. Clinical signs generally resolve within 12—48 hours. Diagnosis of macadamia nut toxicosis is based on history of exposure and clinical signs.

Differential diagnoses include ethylene glycol toxicosis Overview of Ethylene Glycol Toxicity All animals are susceptible to ethylene glycol EG toxicity, but it is most common in dogs and cats. Most symptomatic dogs recover without any specific treatment. Remember if you are uncertain if something is safe to give to your pet, please contact your nearest Vetwest Animal Hospital for advice. Skip to main content.

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