Coconut oil?

[Nancyj]

Has anyone every had a dog get sick after giving them coconut oil?  Brinna weighs 15 pounds and I gave her 1/4 tsp with her morning meal. I had read about how great it was for dogs in a wellness magazine. She could have 1 tsp, but it said to start slowly.. By afternoon, she was arching her back and had her normally perky, straight up tail between her legs.    At 7 PM, DH and I took her to the ER and she was given blood tests and a shot for pain. Her tests came back normal and they even did an extra one to double check her pancreas.   We opted not to have her x-rayed last night, as she had not vomited or had diarrhea.  She slept in her kennel all night, as we were afraid she would fall off of the bed.  She was a little perky this morning, but refused to eat the chicken and rice I had fixed.  She finally did lick plain Greek yogurt off of my finger throughout the day.  Tonight, she is mostly back to normal and finally ate the chicken and rice and took her 5 mg of Pepcid AC. Has anyone fur baby ever gotten sick from coconut oil? 

Last Friday, we had Brinna's teeth cleaned using the non-anesthetic procedure. I had given her less than 1/4tsp of coconut oil with breakfast .  On the way home from getting her teeth cleaned she threw up and seemed off over the weekend.  I thought it was because her teeth were sore.I held off giving her anymore coconut oil after Friday until Tuesday.   Now, I think both incidents were from the coconut oil.

Thanks for listening!  . 

[Autumn & Lola]

I've not given it to any of my dogs before, but three times in my life I got violently ill from Thai and Indian dishes that had lots of coconut oil in them. Brinna may just be highly sensitive to it, as I am.

[Idaho Cairns]

I did a cursory search under "coconut oil for dogs" and saw several articles extolling the benefits of the oil for dogs--all of them from vendors selling coconut oil, "whole dog" sites, "natural food" sites, etc.  I saw some anecdotal evidence from unidentified dog owners, but what I did not see was one scientific study by a university of veterinarian science or from a licensed veterinarian that suggested coconut oil was beneficial for dogs.  That is not to say that these legitimate studies don't exist, only that I couldn't find any.  However, given the enormous amount of misinformation on the internet on a whole raft of matters pertaining to both human and animal health, I think I would never give my dogs a dose of any product, manufactured or natural unless I knew that the product had been rigorously tested and recommended by individuals/companies/organizations that weren't in the business of selling that product and who were qualified to state the product was beneficial for dogs.

Obviously coconut oil was a somewhat toxic for your Brinna and may well be with all dogs.  Please be careful of what you read, always ask, "who are these people, what is their interest in this product, and what are their qualifications to make such claims?".

Edited November 7, 2013 by Idaho Cairns

[Hillscreek]

I look to see if any additives will give more than what is already in the food I give Angus. 

[LindaMC]

When my 13 month old German Shepherd Tess was a puppy, I use to put Salmon Oil on her kibble every morning and she appeared to love it, but then one day she got sick after eating her breakfast and I wasn't sure why she'd been sick.  She vomited a couple of times and then bounced back to her normal energetic self.  The next morning, she wouldn't eat her kibble, walked right over to her bowl when I released her to eat, sniffed and walked away.  I stopped putting the Salmon Oil on her kibble and never had another problem.  I believe the oil was just too rich for her.

 

I'm not sure if that's the case with Brinna, but I wanted to put it out there.  It's so odd when a German Shepherd can get sick from Salmon Oil and yet chow  down on cut grass and dirt outside without any problems whatsoever. 

 

Hope Brinna is doing well now, poor baby.

[Nancyj]

LindaMC, The ER vet suggested that the coconut oil was perhaps too fatty for Brinna. It sounds like the salmon oil was also too rich for Tess. She definitely decided it wasn't something she wanted to eat any longer.  Brinna is back to her old self and waiting for me to take her for a walk. I'm very much relieved she is doing well today. 

 

Idaho Cairns, I found the article in November issue of The Whole Dog Journal concerning the coconut oil, which was written by: a woman named: CJ Poutinen. I found some links to her when I googled that name. She has a disclaimer on her EFT site. Ahh the things I learn from my mistakes.  I have never heard of EFT until I googled her name, which is probably a good thing.

 

My take on reading about her is: she can throw stuff out there that has no scientific backing, so reader be aware. I'll always ask my vet about information I read,  concerning my dog's health and well being. 

[Hillscreek]

Whole Dog Journal is a bible to lots of dog owners but your experience with Brinna just goes to show you have to check on every suggestion wherever it comes from.

After some research I used salmon oil in Angus's food for a while as he had very dry coat when I got him. Once he was on the dog food I use and had grown a little his coat was fine and I discontinued it.

So good Brinna is back to her old self!

[Nancyj]

Thanks Hillscreek. I am glad she is too. I still can't find any fresh poop in the back yard, but then it isn't easy with leaves as thick as fleas. 

It's probably there and I can't see it. 

I was concerned I had given TMI about where I got the coconut oil, information, but hoped Brad would edit out what I should not be saying.

That's great that salmon oil agreed with Angus and even better yet, you could finally discontinue it.

Indeed, I learned my lesson concerning information I take in from reading articles, even out of  respected journals.

[Islander]

My vet is a great believer in daily doses of salmon oil - not just for the coat, but for the joints, brain, etc. I wonder if the oil that disagreed with Tess was rancid. I get the capsules and squeeze one on Gus's breakfast every day. It's never been a problem.

 

The vet did tell me never to give him olive oil as it could cause pancreatitis. 

[hheldorfer]

This is good information.  You think all oils are pretty much the same but there are apparently significant differences between them.  I guess, as Idaho suggested, you need to really research these things before tossing them in the 'ol food dish.

[Sam I Am]

It does get confusing when you read and are told all sorts of things. Our vet is all for olive oil and or salmon oil. Rosie gets a squirt of salmon oil once a day along with her home made grub. Her coat went from dry, to lovely, soft and shiny. If there is lots of oil already in their kibble or what ever food you feed them, and are doubling up, I don't doubt there would be some ill effects. We are careful to get high quality salmon oil that has been de scented and has to be kept in the fridge once it's opened. Fish oil can get rancid very quickly.

[Hillscreek]

Yes when I used the salmon oil for Angus it was high quality and fairly expensive. And like Terrier Lover I kept it in the fridge. 

[Nancyj]

I'm not trying any more oils with Brinna. She gets turkey or beef and sweet potato raw dehydrated grain free dog food for breakfast and her afternoon meal and Acana wild prairie dry for her "treats."  Her coat is great, so the coconut oil was for "added health benefits," which instead made her terribly sick.  If down the road she needs something, I'll check it out with the vet, first. Tomorrow, I can start adding her regular food to the chicken and rice diet she has been on since Wednesday morning.  I'm still shocked over how sick the coconut oil made her.  You never know.

[Sam I Am]

Acana is high in fats so perhaps it was just to much oil. Who knows..she might have an intolerance for Coconut oil.

[Nancyj]

Terrier lover, perhaps you are right, even though she doesn't get much of the Acana "treats."  She won't ever get coconut oil again.  On the morning I added the small amount to her food and then she got sick, she had not had any Acana "treats." 

 Last night she was running around the house with her nose in the air, barking at something outside. It was most likely a skunk that has been seen in the neighborhood. This morning, she is back on high cat alert. 

[McLarensmom]

Thanks for the warning. I had heard that coconut oil was good for skin and coats. McLaren won't be getting any now.

[LindaMC]

I too kept the Salmon Oil in the refrigerator, after opening.  When I purchased the oil, it was on the shelf and it was pretty pricey.  I would love to start giving it to Tess and even Maisie but when Tess stopped wanting her food with the salmon oil, I didn't want to purchase anymore and waste it.  It very well could have been rancid, I didn't think of that at the time due to worrying about her.  I may just try it again.....it's supposed to be very good for the coat.

[Pepper Bug's Mom]

Pepper has been getting coconut oil for the last couple of months due to her 14 year old Beagle sister who has dementia.... however, I had to take her to the vet on Friday due to a lump on her abdomen - did three aspirations - two came back clear and one had some blood in it.  I don't know if the lump is a fatty tumor or what?  The vet said she is awful young to have something serious (2 1/2) but maybe he was just saying that to calm my nerves.  I will know in 3 more days the results....  So now I am wondering if the coconut oil could have caused the lump?  He said maybe an injury? She does fling herself at the dog park - jumping and twisting, etc.  I mentioned a hernia?  But because it is to the side, he didn't think so but didn't rule it out.  Wish us luck!

[Sam I Am]

I can't see how oil of any kind could cause lumps. Sending positive thoughts that all if fine.

[Nancyj]

I hope Pepper's tests come back negative. How big is the lump?  Beings she has been tolerating the coconut oil, I would not think it would be the cause of her lump. It seems like a good thing, if our fur babies can tolerate it.  I'm praying for good test results. Please keep us posted.

[Pepper Bug's Mom]

The lump is about 3/4" around and somewhat firm on the left side of her abdomen.  It just appeared a couple of days ago.  She is eating well and acting normal.  I will let everyone know the results....

[Hillscreek]

Pepper hope you'll be OK, Angus

[Pepper Bug's Mom]

Well.... the vet thinks the lump on Pepper's abdomen is a lipoma.  I have decided to stop the coconut oil and give Pepper Turmeric supplements for now to detox her system.  He said she is really young to have a lipoma so he suggested we "watch" it.  The aspiration showed mostly fat...hmmm...too much coconut oil? Options: 1)watch; 2)re-aspirate and surgically remove it.

 

So any suggestions?  I have noticed that her hair has gotten greasy from the coconut oil as well - maybe she just doesn't tolerate it very well.

[Nancyj]

You have an interesting point about Pepper's possible lipoma and coconut oil.  I always did two things with Lindy, after she was diagnosed with autoimmune mediated hemolytic anemia, seven years before she died of kidney failure. I did whatever the vets said to do, but I also went with my gut instinct.  I made a lot of calls to our specialist at CSU when I was worried, had questions, or felt something just wasn't quite right.  The only thing I ever did that was contrary to their advice, was take Lindy home, when we were supposed to be ensconced in a hotel with her, over night and the following day. We needed a change of clothes and beings Lindy had been in ICU for the week, I knew she would be happy to be in her own domain. We made the 70 mile drive back to Ft. Collins and tried to look "not guilty" when they asked how she did. 

 

I would definitely stop the coconut oil and follow the first two options.   If it keeps getting larger, removal will make a larger incision and longer healing time. It might just stay the size it is right now. Let us know what you and your vet decide.  Hugs to you and little Pepper.

[Idaho Cairns]

"I have decided to stop the coconut oil and give Pepper Turmeric supplements for now to detox her system."

 

Interesting, nothing like "fighting fire with fire".  "Turmeric supplements" are recommended by the very same "naturalistic" people with the very same agenda (selling a product) that push coconut oil--again without any clinical research to support the "detoxification" claims.  Probably the best way to clear up problems with your Pepper would be to get her off all chemicals, supplements, vitamins, except those recommended by your vet, give her good food, exercise, and clean water. Unless your vet specifically told you to administer this turmeric medicine to Pepper I would simply put her health in his/her hands and hope for the best.

 

Let me add this blog from a vet which discusses the use of turmeric as treatment for cancer in dogs and other currently popular "cures".  You might find it informative.

http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2013/09/turmeric-for-pets/

Edited November 14, 2013 by Idaho Cairns