 Everyone has heard that dogs and chocolate can be a
deadly combination so what should you do if your dog eats chocolate?
It seems
that chocolate makes the world go around and in almost every household you will
find this delicious delicacy. Eating chocolate seems to be the great American
pastime. It gives us a sense of well being and is a favorite comfort food. In
over sixty percent of the homes that have this delicious treat available ,you
will also find a hungry and curious dog.
Unfortunately that combination does not mix well. So what can chocolate do to
your dog, and why is it considered poison?
Dogs and puppies do not have the ability as we humans do to digest a
simple chemical found in chocolate called "Theobromine". When theobromine is
ingested by an animal it effects are horrific on the central nervous system and
the cardiovascular system. This effect of the chemical has a very harsh effect
on the animals body causing severe trauma and often times death.
How much chocolate is to much ? It is important to know just how much
chocolate can produce toxic effects on your dog and that amount is one hundred
to one hundred and fifty miligrams.That measurement to most does not mean much
so to simplify it if you have a twenty pound dog that means to reach the level
of becoming poisoned they have to eat approximately ten ounces depending on th
type of chocolate. Bakers chocolate and unsweetened chocolate are harsher types
for any dog to eat only because the chocolate is purer therefore they contain a
higher dosage of Theobromine than the regular candy bar type chocolate.
If you suspect your animal has eaten chocolate what signs do you look
for? Toxic signs occur quickly so even if there is any question if your animal
has consumed chocolate or not, take the animal to the vet. Do not wait to see if
the animal will be alright because any delay in treatment can be devastating.
Your dog, if untreated, can quickly go into convulsions, have arrythmia, stop
breathing and go into a coma.
First your dog may start vomiting on its own. If not you can induce
vomiting with a hydrogen peroxide solution of half peroxide and half water.
The animal will also experience severe diarreah which can cause the animal to
dehydrate quickly.
Seek medical help immediately. Be sure to take to the vet the unfinished
chocolate if any is left, and any wrappings from the chocolate. This will help
the vet to identify the type of chocolate and the concentration of the candy.
The vet will begin treatment and induce vomiting if vomiting has not
already occured. Usually the vet will use activated charcoal to induce. The vet
will also start an IV for hydration and also to administer medication. The vet
will also administer anti-seizure medication because animals that have ingested
chocolate have a ninety eight percent chance of having severe seizures. If your
animal is having extreme symptoms or cardiac problems he will easily be able to
give those cardiac medications through the IV. The stay after this treatment in
an easy case is usually two days, although in more extreme instances the
hospital stay for your animal could be weeks.
The best medicine in these cases is prevention.If sweets such as
chocolate are a frequent snack in your household take care to remove them from
anywhere your pet happens to be traveling in your home.An ounce of prevention
"is" in this case, worth a pound of cure. Copyright 2002 by PageWise, Inc
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