Dogs And Chocolate

[lonewolf]

I know that some of you are dog experts. How poisonous is chocolate for dogs? I would NEVER allow Buddy to have chocolate, but he somehow managed to get two packs of Junior Mints off the back of the counter while no one was watching and eat them. The ripped packages on the family room floor served as conclusive evidence. I know he's not going to die, but is this going to make him really sick? He weighs about 45 pounds.

[Guhlia]

I think that it's usually an allergy that causes dogs to have a reaction to chocolate. This means that not all dogs will react. I believe the same thing happens with raw onions. I read that in a dog book a long time ago. Both can cause a fatal reaction, but it's not likely. Keep a look out for any warning signs and if he appears to be having a reaction, get him to the vet right away.

[ravenwoodglass]

I would call my vet right now. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

[Cottage-Soul]

I know that some of you are dog experts. How poisonous is chocolate for dogs? I would NEVER allow Buddy to have chocolate, but he somehow managed to get two packs of Junior Mints off the back of the counter while no one was watching and eat them. The ripped packages on the family room floor served as conclusive evidence. I know he's not going to die, but is this going to make him really sick? He weighs about 45 pounds.

Chocolate can kill dogs, although I doubt your dog ate enough to do that.

I found this: "Milk chocolate: 1 ounce per pound of body weight. Approximately

one pound of milk chocolate is poisonous to a 20-pound dog;

one-half pound for a 10-pound dog. The average chocolate

bar contains 2 to 3 ounces of milk chocolate. It would take

2-3 candy bars to poison a 10 pound dog. Semi-sweet

chocolate has a similar toxic level."

You are probably okay unless your dog starts to vomit or act unusual, then I would get him to a vet.

[2kids4me]

Yes chocolate is a poison to dogs...not an allergy. It is the theobromine, and caffeine that affect them. The amount of chocolate in junior mints would not be enough to cause serious issues- because it is not solid chocolate...the center is the mint portion.

I have seen a small dog (about 12 pounds get quite sick from eating a jersey milk bar)...and labrador (75 lbs) wag his tail happily unitl we made him throw up what he ate - an entire box of tofeefay chocolate.

Do check in with your vet - and see what they say.

The amount of chocolate is also considered together with the type - pure chocolate (baking squares), semi sweet, and bittersweet are much higher in the parts toxic to dogs than say: a caramilk bar or a filled bar - snickers /mars bar etc

Mild symptoms of chocolate ingestion - diarrhea and hyperactivity...otherwise seems normal. Dog is fine within 24 hours with some soft stool for day or 2

Moderate signs - a vet should be called - nervous signs - incorodinated, stumbling, hyperactivity alternating with stupor ( not wanting to get up), diarrhea, excesive urination and drinking. Treatement would be IV fluids, drugs to combat seizures and close monitoring for cardiac arrythmia.

Severe signs - amount of chocolate varies - seizures, loss of bowel and bladder control, vocalizing along with the symptoms mentioned earlier.

I have worked emerg medicine for animals over the years and have lost one lady's dog to chocolate. The small dog had eaten squares of baking chocolate and the owner did not call the vet until the dog was comatose.

It is difficult to make a dog throw up chocolate - it forms a "ball" in the stomach, and doesnt always come back up. We do perform gastric lavage with activated charcoal in all cases where it is known the dog ingested an amount capable of causing problems.

Sandy

This means that not all dogs will react. I believe the same thing happens with raw onions. I read that in a dog book a long time ago.

Onions cause a heinz body anemia in dogs, it affects their red blood cells

Chocolate affects the central nervous system of dogs and cause neurological issues as well as dehydration from the diuretic effect

Tylenol will kill a cat in one dose - their metabolism is different and the metabolites bind the hemoglobin, making it impossible for the red blood cell to carry oxygen

grapes are considered toxic to dogs now but no one knows exactly why - they cause kidney failure.

Lillies cause kidney failure in cats if they eat the plant or parts of it.

** If I can pass on one message, it is for people to remember that dogs and cats are not little people with fur. They DO metabolize drugs differently, they do react differently to drugs and there are even breed differences. We do not administer certain sedatives to particular breeds - (atravet and boxers can cause fatal arrythmias, yet in most other breeds it is the drug of choice for pre-anesthetics) Border collies (any collie actually - are sensitive to drugs with ivermectin).

There is nothing more frustrating for me on the end of the phone at the vet clinic - when someone phones to ask if they can give a certain med ot their pet - I say no, and they respond with - what happens if I already gave it?...or a pet has been very sick for days, they bring it in and say - yeah well I gave him this drug or that drug to see if it would help. Now we have sick animal with multiple drugs on board that made the condition worse...

Totally different than accidental ingestion, but please call your vet if you are not sure about any med, whether the dog ate the ritalin or chewed on a houseplant.... or you think the cat has an abscess and want to give it leftover antibiotics...

[Viola 1]

I know that some of you are dog experts. How poisonous is chocolate for dogs? I would NEVER allow Buddy to have chocolate, but he somehow managed to get two packs of Junior Mints off the back of the counter while no one was watching and eat them. The ripped packages on the family room floor served as conclusive evidence. I know he's not going to die, but is this going to make him really sick? He weighs about 45 pounds.

Liz, the advice to check with your vet is a good one!

I just finished doing an article about chocolate for the Kennel Club newsletter, if you wish to see a copy, PM me with your email address and I'll send it along.