Can Dogs Have....
Thanksgiving Turkey?

Dogs and turkey bones aren't a good combination.

When placing the meat in your dog's bowl, be sure to remove all pieces of bone. Just like chicken bones, turkey bones splinter and can cause blockage or perforation of the intestine.

Also use caution when feeding your dog turkey skin. It's great for a treat, but too much can cause a case of canine pancreatitis.

What are causes of canine pancreatitis? There are many factors that can contribute to the development of pancreatitis in dogs:

• A higher incidence of this disease has been observed in dogs whom are fed table scraps or greasy "human food"...a diet high in fat


• Dogs that are overweight or obese appear to be more at risk


• Hyperlipidemia (high amounts of lipid in the blood) and hypercalcemia (high amounts of calcium in the blood) both metabolic disorders


• Hormonal diseases such as Cushings disease (hyperadrenocorticism), hypothyroidism, and diabetes mellitus


• Situations that could affect blood flow to the pancreas such as: abdominal surgery, trauma to the abdomen or shock


• Anti-cancer drugs, some antibiotics and potassium bromide


• Genetically, Schnauzers and Yorkshire terriers appear to be more prone to pancreatitis


• Previous pancreatitis