Dogs And Chocolate

Article Title: Dogs And Chocolate
Author: David Beart

Most dog owners are aware that chocolate should not be given to
pets. We hide our chocolate treats in high cupboards and sealed
containers because we know that it can be harmful if ingested by
our animals. But, what if a candy bar gets left within the dog's
reach, and you come home to find an empty wrapper? What if your
dog eats a bit of chocolate that has fallen on the floor while
you are baking? We know that chocolate is harmful, but we need
to know the amounts to worry about, the signs to look for, and
what to do for treatment in the case that our dogs and chocolate
find each other.

The chemical compound that makes chocolate toxic to pets (yes,
dogs and cats, even horses), is theobromine. Theobromine, found
in products of the cocoa tree, is a xanthine compound belonging
to the same family as caffeine and theophylline (an ingredient
found in tea). Pets metabolize this chemical very slowly, and it
affects their heart, central nervous system, and kidneys.
Typically, although the level can vary depending on individual
sensitivity, it takes one hundred to one hundred-fifty
milligrams of theobromine per kilogram of a dog's body weight
(that's 2.2 pounds) to cause a toxic reaction. Now, theobromine
levels vary in different types of chocolate, because some
chocolates have a higher cocoa content than others. Milk
chocolate has approximately forty-four milligrams of thoebromine
per ounce, semi-sweet chocolate has one hundred fifty milligrams
per ounce, and baker's chocolate has three hundred ninety
milligrams per ounce. While the conversion can be tricky,
especially when you are panicking because your pup just ate your
daughter's candy bar, here is a guide to follow. Roughly, a
toxic dose would be: one ounce of chocolate per one pound of dog
body weight for milk chocolate, one ounce of chocolate per three
pounds of dog body weight for semi-sweet chocolate, and one
ounce per nine pounds of dog body weight for baker's chocolate.
For example, two one-ounce squares of baker's chocolate would
cause great risk in a fifteen pound dog. However, two one-ounce
milk chocolate pieces would only cause mild digestive upset. It
would take two or three milk chocolate candy bars to poison a
fifteen pound dog.

Early signs of theobromine poisoning in your dog may include
vomiting and diarrhea, restlessness, and increased urination. If
your dog is exhibiting these symptoms, contact your veterinarian
immediately. If left untreated, theobromine can cause increased
heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures, coma, and even death. You
may even want to start treatment before the symptoms present
themselves in the case that you know your dog has ingested a
harmful amount of chocolate, because early treatment is best.
Dogs and chocolate can be a very scary combination, so do
everything you can to make sure that the two are kept apart.

There is no `antidote' for chocolate poisoning in dogs. The
best means of treatment includes induced vomiting, and the
administration of activated charcoal. To induce vomiting, use
three percent hydrogen peroxide, and administer one or two
teaspoons by mouth every fifteen minutes until vomiting begins.
You can also use Ipecac; administer two or three teaspoons one
time only. Activated charcoal, which is usually given by the
vet, is a powder of processed charcoal that binds to many types
of poisons, keeping them from being absorbed into the
bloodstream of the dog. There is usually a good outcome if the
dog can be treated within three to five hours of ingestion, but
the effects of the chocolate can last upwards of twelve hours,
meaning that your pet may need to be hospitalized.

Knowing the signs of chocolate poisoning, as well as the toxic
dosage amounts of each type of chocolate for your dog, can be
very helpful in determining whether or not your dog needs
medical treatment for the ingestion of chocolate. Though small
amounts of chocolate may be safe for your dog to consume, it is
best to avoid giving chocolate to your animal altogether. Dogs
and chocolate, two of life's greatest gifts, are to be carefully
kept separate.

About The Author: David Beart is the owner of
http://www.professorshouse.com , a site that covers pets, family
issues, cooking and relationships.

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