Cooked turkey

Turkey is not inherently toxic to dogs. The AKC calls it a good source of protein, riboflavin and phosphorus, and it shows up as a main ingredient in plenty of commercial dog foods. The problem on Thanksgiving is that the bird on your table is not turkey meat, it is a recipe, and every part of that recipe is a separate hazard. Start with the skin. The AKC's guidance is blunt: remove it. Between the butter or oil used to baste and the fat that renders into the skin itself, that is the fattiest part of the bird. Merck names dietary indiscretion as a common risk factor for canine pancreatitis and recommends a ration under 20 g of fat per 1,000 kcal, which a strip of basted skin blows past. Miniature Schnauzers are dramatically overrepresented, with Yorkshire Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds and Poodles also more affected. Watch for anorexia, repeated vomiting, weakness, abdominal pain, dehydration and diarrhea. VCA describes the classic posture as rear end in the air with the front legs and head lowered to the floor. Signs can start within hours and usually appear inside a day. Then the seasoning. Brine, herb rubs and stuffing built on onion and garlic are the standard American preparation. Merck reports clinical signs in dogs from 15-30 g/kg of raw onion, with garlic three to five times more toxic, and stresses that most real cases come from concentrated forms: dehydrated flakes, powders and dry soup mixes. Red blood cell damage starts within 24 hours and peaks around 72, but hemolysis shows up 3-5 days later, so a normal-looking dog on Thursday night proves nothing. Finally the bones. Cooked poultry bones are brittle, splinter, and cause choking, obstruction and perforation. Give plain roasted white meat only, off the bone, skin removed, nothing added, and keep all treats inside 10% of daily calories. If your dog got into the seasoned bird, the skin, the bones or the stuffing, write down what and how much and when, and call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic now. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is at (888) 426-4435; a consultation fee applies. Do not induce vomiting at home.