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Can
Chocolate Really Kill Your Dog?
Most
of us love chocolate and love the taste, so do our dogs
but the problem is that the same chocolate we love to indulge
in is not good for our best friend. In this article we will
explain why the consumption of chocolate is so detrimental
for our dogs.
We
have all heard this all of our lives but how big a threat
is it really? Is it life threatening or will it just make
him sick? How much chocolate does the animal have to eat
for it to cause a negative reaction?
The
ingredient in chocolate that makes it toxic to dogs is theobromine
that is toxic to dogs in too much quantity. Theobromine
is a xanthine compound in the same family of caffeine, and
theophylline.
Thankfully,
it takes a lot of chocolate to make a dog sick though the
exact amount will differ according to the dog's individual
sensitivity, its size, and the concentration of the chocolate
consumed.
Different
types of chocolate have varying amounts of theobromine with
milk chocolate having about 44 mg of the substance per ounce,
semisweet chocolate 150 mg, and Baker'S chocolate 390 mg
per ounce making it the most dangerous to your pet.
With
this in mind, here are some guidelines to consider:
1
ounce per 1 pound of body weight for Milk chocolate
1 ounce per 3 pounds of body weight for Semisweet chocolate
1 ounce per 9 pounds of body weight for Baker's chocolate.
So,
for example, 2 oz. of Baker's chocolate can cause great
risk to an 15 lb. dog. Yet, 2 oz. of Milk chocolate usually
will only cause digestive problems.
Because Xanthines affect the nervous system, cardiovascular
system and peripheral nerves, consumption will result in
visible effects on your dog. It has a diuretic effect as
well. Some of the signs include hyper excitability, hyper
irritability, increased heart rate, restlessness, increased
urination, muscle tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea.
There
is no specific antidote for this poisoning. Administering
activated charcoal may inhibit absorption of the toxin.
An anticonvulsant might be indicated if neurological signs
are present and needs to be controlled. Oxygen therapy,
intravenous medications, and fluids might be needed to protect
the heart.
Milk
chocolate will often cause diarrhea 12-24 hours after ingestion.
This should be treated symptomatically (fluids, etc..) to
prevent dehydration.
If
you suspect your pet has ingested chocolate contact your
Vet immediately! They can help you determine the the proper
treatment for your pet.
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