Read About Dog Chocolate Poisoning
- Common Disease Name:
- Chocolate poisoning
- Medical Term for Disease:
- Chocolate toxicity- acute gastrointestinal, neurological, and cardiovascular toxicosis caused by excessive intake of methylxanthine alkaloids (primarily theobromine and caffeine) present in chocolate.
- Species Affected by Disease:
- Dogs
- Age Animal Usually Affected:
- Any, but puppies and young dogs may be more likely to eat large amounts of unusual foods.
- Commonly Affected Breeds:
- Any, but small dogs may be more at risk because of the amount of chocolate available relative to body weight.
- Sex Usually Affected:
- Any
- Disease Symptoms:
- Vomiting and diarrhea are often the first signs reported from 2-4 hours after ingestion; Dog may be restlessness and excitation. There may be excessive urination. Advanced signs include stiffness, excitement, seizures, and exaggerated reflexes, increased body temperature, erratic and racing heart rate, Advanced signs lead to cardiac failure, weakness, coma, and death. Death occurs 12-36 hours after ingestion.
- Method(s) of Diagnosis:
- History and symptoms
- Disease Causes:
- Excessive ingestion of methylxanthine alkaloids (mostly theobromine and caffeine) present in chocolate, leads to constriction of blood vessels, rapid heart rate, and stimulation of the central nervous system.
- Treatment:
- If you catch your dog eating chocolate, you should induce vomiting.(hydrogen peroxide at 1-5 ml/kg by mouth can be used. Do not try and induce vomiting if he is already seizing. Try to determine how much chocolate was eaten and what kind. Small doses in a big dog will probably not cause a problem, however; baking chocolate, semi-sweet, and dark chocolate contain high levels of theobromine, which is poisonous. Product: Methylxanthines (mg/ounce) Cacao bean has 400-1500 mg/ounce of methyxanthines; Baking chocolate 450 mg/ounce; Semi-sweet chocolate 260 mg/ounce; Milk chocolate 60mg/ounce; Hot chocolate 12 mg/ounce; White chocolate 1mg/ounce.
The minimum lethal dosage of caffeine and theobromine in dogs ranges from 100-200 mg/kg of body weight. One-quarter ounce of baking chocolate or 2 ounces of milk chocolate per kilogram of body weight is a potential lethal dosage in dogs. Thus, 1 pound of milk chocolate or four ounces of baking chocolate could be lethal to a 16-lb dog.
- Prognosis:
- Good if treated within 2-4 hours of ingestion. Prognosis may be guarded in dogs with advanced signs of seizures and arrhythmias.
- Complications:
- Gastrointestinal upset and possible pancreatic inflammation
- Prevention:
- Keep chocolate out of your dog's reach
- {mosimage}Medicines Used for Treatment of Disease:
- Activated charcoal to absorb toxins, apomorphine to induce vomiting, diazepam for seizures, fluids, lidocaine or propanolol for heart arrhythmias
- Helpful Products:
- Hydrogen peroxide and a large syringe to administer by mouth to induce vomiting. Dose is 1-5 ml/kg or approx 0.5-2.5ml per pound of body weight administered by mouth slowly.
