My Dog Ate A Pistachio Shell

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My Dog Ate A Pistachio Shell What Should I Do?
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• Did your dog eat a pistachio shell? Worried what
  to do next?
• Quite a lot of foods that are considered to be
  safe for us human beings are toxic for our dogs.
  For instance, chocolates, grapes, pistachios
  theyre extremely delicious but can turn out to
  be lethal for dogs.
• Nuts and seeds are purely healthy and a big
  source of protein. Undoubtedly, they can activate
  some allergies as well. What about pistachios and
  dogs? Are these delicious nuts safe to consume
  for our little furry friends?
• You will know further.

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What Should You Do If Your Dog Ate A Pistachio
Shell?

• Talking about pistachios being toxic for dogs, it
  is not 100 percent toxic for dogs. Various dogs
  have various reactions to ingesting them. There
  are some dogs that show just some discomfort
  which last for a day or two days maximum.
  Whereas, there are dogs that react to this
  situation horribly. They go through obesity,
  pancreatitis, etc.

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• We bet, the first solution that must have come to
  your mind to deal with this situation is to
  induce vomiting. And yes it makes sense why you
  thought of this solution, because when it comes
  to our dogs swallowing non-edible foods inducing
  vomiting is a common solution. In animal clinics
  this solution is used everyday.
• But sadly, inducing vomiting in the case of
  pistachio shells being ingested by your dog is
  not the right solution. Why? Pistachio shells
  have sharp edges which may tend to produce new
  wounds in your dogs esophagus while coming back
  up along with the vomit. So, abstain from
  inducing vomiting in your dog.

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When should you call your veterinarian?

• Your dog shows signs of discomfort or any other
  unusual symptoms
• Your dog consumed a heavy amount of pistachio
  shells or pistachios.
• Your dog ate pistachio shell and puked
• If your dog has consumed just one pistachio
  shell, then most probably they will turn out to
  be fine. If your dog is on the big side and has
  eaten just one pistachio shell then they will
  mostly turn out to be fine too. If in any case
  your dog has consumed a pistachio shell, and is
  not showing any signs of discomfort then it is
  best to observe them for the rest of the day and
  see if they show any unusual signs, if they eat
  and pass stools like before.

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Are Pistachio Shells Safe To Consume For Dogs?

• NO!!!
• Pistachio shells are not safe for dogs to
  consume, no doubt. But if your dog has eaten some
  amount of pistachios without its shells and as
  long as it is a one time thing which is not going
  to be turned into an everyday snack you do not
  have much to worry about. But, when it comes to
  pistachio shells it is a different matter
  altogether.
• You must be aware of how people use pistachio
  shells to make ornaments or for art and craft
  work because of its solidity. And thats why it
  is pretty simple to understand that your little
  furry companion will not be able to digest them
  at any cost which will eventually bring problems
  in your dogs organism.

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• If in any case, your dog comes across pistachio
  shells that appear to be broken from your food
  leftovers or even just fallen on the floor, your
  dog and so are you in big trouble. These small
  pieces are good enough to be stuck anywhere in
  your furry friends body. Let us put this for you
  straight and simple THE MORE AMOUNT OF PISTACHIO
  SHELLS THEY CONSUME, THE MORE THE DAMAGE WILL BE.

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Choking Hazard

• The first thing you want to make certain is upon
  the consumption of pistachio shells is your dog
  having any trouble breathing or having an unusual
  behaviour. A big quantity of shells can manage to
  be an obstruction in the airways.
• A dog that is hugely suffering will make it
  prominent enough for you to know by gasping for
  air, constantly touching their muzzle with their
  paw. You might also come across their gums
  turning blue or pale.

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• You should be aware that in such times, your dog
  can be aggressive so make sure you do not let
  them attack you. Understand they are panicking at
  the moment and act accordingly. Remove any type
  of collar from around their neck.
• Choking is very common in some of the cases like
  rib bones since they are really harmful for the
  internal organs of your dog.
• Later, you can either try the heimlich maneuver
  or remove it with your hand to make sure the
  airways are clear. You must also make sure to not
  let the object get to the back of your dogs
  throat.
• To avoid this you can stretch their neck and pull
  their tongue ahead, so the object does not reach
  the back of the throat. If your dog is fine or
  not after this, either way, you take your dog to
  the vet for a check-up.

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Dental Issues

• Pistachio shells, especially broken pistachio
  shells can turn out to be really dangerous for
  your dogs mouth. The shell pieces can get stuck
  anywhere between the teeth or underneath the
  gums. This will be uncomfortable as well as
  really painful for your dog. Your dog will not be
  able to eat.

If your four-legged friend does not have a proper
oral care then these dangerous shards will slowly
destroy the tooth and bring about dental issues
that will cost you a lot to get fixed. There are
dog chew toys that are designed especially for
oral care. These toys can be used to get the
shells out of their teeth if you cannot remove
them manually.
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Is Pistachio Toxic To Dogs?

• Pistachios are definitely a good source of
  protein as well as have a high fat content. If
  consumed in large amounts, the high fat content
  in pistachios can lead to greater damages. Since
  there is no proof that says pistachios benefit
  dogs the way they benefit us humans, there is no
  need to feed your dogs pistachios.
• Pistachios have contents that are made just for
  human beings, there are certain additives that
  are not good for the health of your dog. Again,
  if your dog ate a pistachio, just watch themif
  they ate many then call the vet first.

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Pancreatitis

• This is a disease that is confusing and can also
  cause great harm to your dog. Due to bad dietary
  choices, the inflammation of the pancreas
  happens. Basically, when your dog consumes
  something out of the ordinary. Other causes can
  be infections or obesity.

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• Foods that have high fat content can provoke
  pancreatitis. Nuts like pistachios have high fat
  content and should not be fed to your dogs. If
  your dog consumes pistachios on a daily basis or
  in large quantities it will lead to pancreatitis
  in your dog.
• Symptoms of pancreatitis
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Poor appetite
• Lethargy
• Abdominal pain
• Until the disease is widely spread, some dogs do
  not show any of these symptoms. Get in contact
  with your veterinarian if your dog tends to show
  a combination of at least two or more symptoms
  together.

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Aflatoxin

• When you store nuts like pistachios, almonds or
  walnuts in places that are too damp for way too
  long, aflatoxin comes into the picture. It is a
  cancerogenic chemical that is produced by
  aspergillus mold.
• Normally, the pistachio shell protects the
  pistachio from being contaminated by this
  chemical. But there are times where the shell
  cracks open unknowingly, way before time and gets
  the nut contaminated.
• It can cause diseases like anemia,
  gastrointestinal symptoms, diseases of the liver
  and various other problems.

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• Symptoms of intoxication by aflatoxin include
• Blood in the stools passed or vomit
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Jaundice
• Lethargy
• Discoloured urine
• Your dog will need to be taken to the vet for
  immediate medical action if it shows any of the
  symptoms above.

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Conclusion

• As a pet parent, it is wholly your responsibility
  to make sure your dog does not consume such
  dangerous foods like pistachio shells. Pistachios
  as well as pistachio shells should be kept away
  from your pets due to the harm they can cause.
• If your dog happened to eat pistachio shells
  once, make sure that was the first and last time
  it happened. They are not aware of what is good
  or bad for them, thats where our responsibility
  to keep them safe comes in.
• Remember, to instantly throw away the pistachio
  shells after youre done eating. Store them in
  tight containers and lock them away in your
  kitchen. Do not be careless and put your little
  furry friends life into danger next time.

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