Chocolate Poisoning

Its that time of year when there are many festive treats in your house, but do you know that what might seem like a treat to you could actually end up costing your pet its life?

Chocolate products contain high levels of cocoa and the chemical theobromine. As little as 100mg of theobromine per kg of your dogs weight can be fatal.

To put this another way 200g of dark plain chocolate is enough to kill an average sized Lab.

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, excessive drinking, lethargy and incoordination. In extreme cases these signs may be accompanied by muscle rigidity, panting, fever and convulsions, and may ultimately lead to kidney or heart failure.

There is no antidote for theobromine poisoning and treatment needs to be given for any amount of chocolate your dog has eaten. Usually vomiting is induced to slow down the rate of chocolate absorption from the gut. Also activated charcoal is given to absorb any theobromine left in the gut.

If you think that your dog may have eaten chocolate and you are concerned about them then call us immediately for advice.

Fortunately, with treatment most cases will recover but it is worth remembering that the safest place to store all you Easter treats are out of your dogs reach.