Even though veterinarians frown upon giving dogs any kind of people food, they are adamant about keeping chocolate away from their canine friends. It is more important than ever to be careful about your pet eating chocolate during Easter when it is more likely to be found around the house.
Why is chocolate so toxic for dogs?
Theobromine and caffeine are found in chocolate and can accumulate in the animal's body, where they can cause problems.
The severity of chocolate's negative impacts on a dog are determined by the levels of theo bromine and caffeine in the chocolate product, how much of it the dog ate, and the dog's weight and sensitivity to chemical stimulants. Milk chocolate has a lower concentration of theobromine per ounce than dark chocolate, which has a higher concentration. White chocolate has less of theobromine per ounce than the other chocolate, which poses a lower toxic threat to dogs.
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Initial symptoms of chocolate toxicity include excessive drooling and panting, increased thirst and urination, and an upset stomach, according to the American Kennel Club. The dog may experience an increased heart rate and become restless, nervous and excited like a person who has downed too many cups of coffee.
In severe cases, chocolate consumption can cause a drop in body temperature. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, extreme symptoms include weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, weakness, Symptoms of chocolate poisoning can persist for days because theobromine takes longer for the body to break it down.
The Office for Science and Society at McGill University in Ontario, Canada says that some dogs show no symptoms when they eat chocolate, but the size of the toxins can affect their response to being poisoned.
Administering activated charcoal, which purges toxins from the dog's digestive system before they can be absorbed by the animal's bloodstream, is one way veterinarians treat chocolate toxicity. The AKC says that depending on the severity of the poisoning, medication or fluids may be required.
The size of the animal can affect how a dog reacts to chocolate. A square of chocolate will have a more pronounced effect on a chihuahua than a Saint Bernard, which can weigh as much as 180 pounds.
Nelson told Live Science that a dog's weight is enough to kill it. Different chocolate products have different levels of theobromine and caffeine, and the worst offenders are baker's chocolate. One ounce of baker's chocolate per kilogram of the dog's body weight can be lethal.
Nelson warns that if your dog has eaten any type or amount of chocolate, you are always better off being safe than sorry, because milk chocolate is less dangerous than baking chocolate.
Nelson said that clients should come in instead of second-guessing and possibly creating an emergency by not having the dog looked at right away.
While chocolate poisoning may affect dogs at any time, pups are more likely to find and consume chocolate on holidays such as Christmas and Easter when plentiful chocolate is available as figurines (such as bunnies and Santa Claus), as well as in bars, eggs, liqueurs, cakes and decorations, researchers wrote During Christmastime, dogs are four times more likely to need a vet visit for chocolate poisoning than during other times of the year, and on Easter, dogs are twice as likely to be poisoned by chocolate as other times of the year.
If you want to learn more about how to save your pet's life in the event of a toxic exposure, you can visit the website of the ASPCA. The Veterinary Emergency Group has tips for identifying chocolate toxicity in dogs and what to do in an emergency. A list of other human foods that are hazardous for pets to eat was compiled by the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The article is only for informational purposes, and not for medical advice.
It was originally published on Live Science.
Chocolate Poisoning In Dogs is a topic on VCA Animal Hospitals.
What to do if your dog eats chocolate is covered by the staff of the American Kennel Club.
My dog ate chocolate and he was fine, so what is the big deal?
There is an increased risk of chocolate exposure at Christmas and Easter. The no. 25, 2017, pp.
Toxicology and Poison Control can be found at www.aspcapro.org.
The veterinary emergency group has a post about chocolate toxicity in dogs.
People foods to avoid feeding your pets.
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