Dog Community

walnut shell poisoning?

Posted : 3/25/2012 11:11:27 AM

I have an italian greyhound chihuahua mix and a chihuahua that are both a year old. For the past 4 days they have had severe cases of diarhea. The male chihuahua got it first and his anus is so red and swollen. The female mix has only had it for a couple days and is not as severe. They have been eating hamburger and rice for a couple of days with liquid probiotics. They both are eating normal and drinking normal, but they are just squirting all over the place. They do have a habit of chewing and eating everything but I have been keeping a close eye on them. The only thing I have noticed is what I thought was wood outside that they have been chewing has been walnut shells from the squirrels digging them up. Could this possibly be whats causing their problems?

JackieG

Posted : 3/25/2012 11:21:45 AM

Four days of severe diarreah would have me at the vet's office for a diagnosis.

Freedom

Posted : 3/25/2012 12:11:48 PM

With diarrhea, the concern is dehydration. For a chi, that happens quickly! I'd been heading off to the vet as well.

I'd stop the hamburger, rice and liquid probiotics, and return to what they were eating.

Can you gather up the shells and put them in a bag in the trash, out of the dogs' reach?

calliecritturs

Posted : 3/25/2012 12:44:23 PM

Honestly, what everyone said .. "VET NOW". Certain varieites of nut shells are literally fatal -- I'd gather up a handful of whatever you suspect and put it in a ziplock baggie and show the vet. But I would sure be at the vet's. That's way way too long to let that go on.

Rexy

Posted : 4/3/2012 2:51:56 AM

Yikes!

Just wanted to add that a couple of months ago I went through a pretty big scare with Rexy and black walnuts.

The nuts and shells are poisonous due to a specific type of mold that is found in walnuts. This mold is poisonous for dogs and horses but people and cats are not susceptible.

Rexy managed to eat about 60 of them one night while we were asleep. We were very, very lucky and she threw up shells the next day, and pooped out shells and walnut meat the following day. No blockages, lethargy, discomfort etc.

Note: we were in regular contact with our vet and were under instruction to bring her in at the first sign of anything being "off".

outdoorschik

Posted : 4/3/2012 7:37:34 AM

Definately get them to the vet with a stool sample + sample of the nuts/shells.