However, some people are allergic to hazelnuts and have had serious allergic reactions, such as life-threatening respiratory problems (anaphylaxis). Dogs that eat macadamia nuts often experience weak hind legs, vomiting, and diarrhea. Experts from the ASPCA Animal Toxicology Control Center (APCC) state that, in most cases, these negative effects are mild and can be controlled at home with a little guidance from a veterinary professional. But in more serious cases, side effects may require veterinary attention.
The most common sign is weakness, especially in the hind legs. Other symptoms include lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, and fever. Some cases are mild, show only a few symptoms, and resolve on their own within a few days. However, there are serious cases involving constant tremors, high fever, and inability to walk.
. The ingestion of macadamia nuts by dogs has been associated with a non-fatal syndrome characterized by vomiting, ataxia, weakness, hyperthermia and depression. Dogs are the only species in which signs have been described. Clinical signs usually appear within 12 hours after ingestion and will resolve within 48 hours.
Vomiting and abdominal pain may be the only signs you notice when you eat low doses of the nut. Other signs may include lethargy, ataxia (wobbling), weakness in the hind limbs, hyperthermia (rise in temperature), and mild, temporary changes in the levels of blood components, such as triglycerides and certain enzymes. When dogs ingest high doses of macadamia nuts, tremors and reclining may be observed, as well as pale mucous membranes. If the moldy nuts were recently ingested, gastric decontamination can be performed.
This may include inducing vomiting, washing the stomach, and administering activated charcoal to bind the toxin and limit absorption. Other treatments will depend on the symptoms that occur. They may include fluid therapy, anti-nausea medications, gastrointestinal protectors, liver protectors, muscle relaxants, and anticonvulsants. If liver damage occurs, supportive care may also be needed to prevent abnormal bleeding.
If clinical signs of liver damage are observed, the prognosis remains poor. The vet may perform X-rays if your dog has been vomiting, as the signs may be related to an obstruction rather than toxicity. When walnuts have been ingested in higher doses, dogs may experience neurological and muscular effects. Very high doses can cause constipation and kidney damage.
If the horse chestnut was recently ingested, gastric decontamination can be performed. This may include inducing vomiting, washing the stomach, and administering activated charcoal to bind the toxin and expel it from the body. Other treatments will depend on the severity of the condition. They may include fluid therapy, anti-nausea medications, gastrointestinal protectors, and anticonvulsants.
Supportive care may also be needed to prevent kidney damage, blood clots, and electrolyte disturbances. However, with early intervention, most recover and have a good prognosis. Since macadamia nuts are high in fat, they can also overstimulate the pancreas and cause pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a serious inflammation of the pancreas and causes abdominal pain, vomiting, depression, decreased appetite and can become so serious that it can affect other organs.
Macadamia nuts can be toxic to dogs if they eat enough. If your dog ate one or part of one, it should be fine. Keep a close eye on them for signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or loss of appetite, and if you see any of the signs, it's best to consult your vet. I hope everything is going well.
Dogs should stay completely away from nuts, but macadamia nuts, specifically, are extremely toxic. They are known to cause muscle tremors, paralysis, weakness, fast heartbeats, vomiting, and even death. When it comes to the wide variety of snacks on the market, macadamia nuts aren't the worst choice for an afternoon snack. Because macadamia nuts are a very fatty food, dogs can rarely experience inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) after eating them.
However, many brands of macadamia nuts are sold with additional ingredients, which add flavor, but can cause sodium, sugar and calorie content to skyrocket. Prompt treatment can reduce absorption and accelerate the passage of nuts through the dog's system. If your dog ate macadamia nuts along with chocolate, raisins or artificial sweeteners such as xylitol, go to the vet right away. Like raisins and grapes, which are also toxic to dogs, individual sensitivity to macadamia nuts can vary, as can the amount of nuts needed to cause a toxic reaction.
However, they are not exactly the dream of dieters either, thanks to their high calorie and fat content, and the fact that they can pose a serious health risk to people suffering from allergies to nuts. The Animal Toxicology Center received 48 calls between 1987 and 2001 in which dogs showed similar symptoms after ingesting macadamia nuts, and the results were repeated in a study. Almost all of the known cases in which the macadamia nut was the only toxin ingested have resulted in complete recovery. Discard old or spoiled nuts in a sealed trash can and, if possible, train your dog to avoid unfamiliar foods.
For some people with severe allergies, even touching foods that are contaminated with nuts or breathing airborne particles can cause a reaction, so it's best to avoid them completely in the company of people with food allergies (via Medical News Today). Its owner reported that while she was eating macadamia nuts the night before, she shared them with Candy, who gladly accepted them. And that can definitely lead to accidental overeating, as just one cup of macadamia nuts contains close to 950 calories, which is about half the daily calorie needs of the average person. .
