Garlic

[myrocky]

I am getting a lot of static from someone because I give Rocks garlic. This person is telling me how I am hurting my dog and just causing him problmes in the long run I explained that large enormous sums of garlic would have to be given to cause a dog harm. She is not listening to me and has slapped me with a study showing how garlic causes anemia in dogs, a study done by US Davis.

Now do any of you know some links I can provide her that talk about garlics good properties? One refuting this study would be best LOL LOL I guess I am annoyed because I know I am doing the best I can and to have this person tell me I am harming my dog makes me want to bring out the big guns

http://www.mcwatters.org/medicinalval.htm - this one refers to garlic as the active ingredient - Allicin.

http://blueprint.bluecrossmn.com/top...ic100587787#P4

I searched the web for "benefits garlic allicin dogs" and I got a ton of sites!! I feed barf (and lots of garlic too, so reading up on this makes me better prepared for when I have to "explain" my dogs diet to somebody, someday.....

[JulieM]

I thought I posted on this before but I can't find it. I know that one of my books - I think Herbs for Pets - talks about onion and garlic toxicity (they are in the same family, but onions have a higher concentration of the problem substance), and approximate percentages of body weight that would cause a problem. I'll try to remember to look tonight.

Is the UC-Davis study online?

Actually, UC-Davis has a pet care poster that includes the statement:
"Products like garlic powder or Stewart's flavor enhancer can be sprinkled over the food for added appeal [for picky eaters]."

www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vmnews/14-2/14-2p06.pdf


What does your friend feed?

[myrocky]

Thanks guys

Julie I have no idea what she feeds. This is on another board regarding my kitty of all things and garlic came up. I mentioned I give garlic to my dog as it is a very healthy thing for them to have and I got flamed for it They pretty much said I am making my dog anemic. So I wanted to slam them back Plus I want to print out some stuff for my own files

Thanks tons!

[JulieM]

Here is what the Tilfords say in "Everything You Wanted to Know About Herbs for Pets" (emphasis theirs, typos mine )

Although toxic side effects from consumption of garlic are rare in animals and humans alike, the possiblity of harming your dog, cat, or herbivore with garlic does exist, and there is a growing controversy about how much garlic is enough and how much is too much. At the root of this controversy is a dangerous misconception: the notion that more garlic is always better. Despite all of the grand attributes we have just described [in a previous section], moderation--the cardinal rule of herb use--applies strictly to garlic, particularly when used in cats.

When misused (used excessively or over an extended period), garlic may cause Heinz-body anemia, a potentially life- threatening blood disease....[skipping some stuff about what HBA is and how it affects the blood, if you want that let me know]....Fortunately, this nightmare is easily prevented with some common sense and a few precautions....

First, it stands to reason that animals with pre-existing anemic conditions should not receive garlic internally in any quantity. Puppies don't begin reproducing new red blood cells until after six to eight weeks of age. Until then, they need every red blood cell they are born with, so a diet that includes garlic is not appropriate for young puppies.

It's important to know that the possibility of Heinz-body anemia is dose dependent, meaning the more garlic fed, the greater the chances of a problem developing. While we still don't know exactly how much is too much, most recorded instances of Heinz-body anemia in animals involve the ingestion of large quantities of onions and other garlic relatives, many of which are likely to contain much larger percentages of enzyme-depleting constituents than a typical dose of garlic. Recorded cases of allium poisoning typically involve onion doses exceeing 0.5 percent of the subject animals' body weight--this means that a healthy 60-pound dog would have to eat a whole 5-ounce onion, or several cloves of garlic, just to start the Heinz-body process. And since red blood cells are regenerated quickly from the bone marrow, this grotesque overdose would probably have to be repeated several times on a frequent basis to cause permanent harm. In further defense of garlic, several other foods can cause Heinz-body anemia as well--large amounts of turnips, kale, rape, or anything rich in vitamin K may lead to the disorder, especially in herbivores.

Small doses of garlic added to your companion animal's food three or four days per week, perhaps 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder per pound of food fed, are probably going to be of great benefit to the overall health of your pet. Just don't overdo it.

Cats are much more sensitive to the side effects of garlic than dogs are, so they require more caution and attention with its use. Watch for digestive upsets and behavioral changes. Andi f your cat simply doesn't want any garlic, don't force the issue. your cat's behavior may be more than just a finicky attitude--animals know their needs better than we do. Remember to use common sense and moderation and have respect for garlic as more than just a table condiment. No two animals are alike; one person's miracle cure is another one's poison. If you wish to use garlic in a therapeutic capacity, get to know your animal first, then consult a professional (or carefully read the label on your garlic product) before you proceed.

The reason I ask what she feeds is that many, many, many commercial kibbles contain garlic. It's very possible she's feeding it, too, and doesn't even realize it.