Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs
by Kevin Fitzgerald, Ph.D., D.V.M.
Of Animal Planet's Emergency Vets
Each
holiday season, veterinarians witness an increase in accidental
chocolate poisoning in dogs. The majority of pet owners do
not realize the potential for intoxication that chocolate
possesses.
Theobromine, caffeine and theophylline are all naturally occurring molecules that are found in several foods, plants, beverages and human and veterinary medications.
Based
on the number of calls received by The National Animal Poison
Control Center and the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center,
one of the most commonly encountered poisonings in pet dogs
is theobromine, or chocolate, poisoning.
Theobromine
comes from the plant Theobroma cocoa and is present in chocolate,
cocoa beans, cocoa bean hulls, cola and tea.
Milk
chocolate is obtained from seeds of theobroma cacao after
fermentation and roasting. Milk chocolate has about 44 mg/ounce
of theobromine; a 4.5 oz. milk chocolate bar has about 240
mgs. of theobromine. Unsweetened baking chocolate has even
more -- about 390 to 450 mgs of theobromine per ounce.
Relative theobromine content per ounce for various products is:
Milk chocolate: 44 - 60 mgs/ounce
Unsweetened baking chocolate: 450 mg/oz
Cacao meal: 300 - 900 mg/oz
Cacao beans: 300 - 1200 mg/oz
Hot chocolate: 13 mg/oz
The lethal dosage of theobromine in dogs
is between 250 and 500 mgs/kg, or about 2/3 to 1 1/3 of baking
chocolate for every 2.2 pounds of body weight. However, serious
non-fatal poisonings have been reported in dogs after eating
smaller amounts.
At
our practice, a 20-pound dachshund showed serious signs of
poisoning after eating 3/4 of a pound of milk chocolate and
another 22-pound dog died after eating two pounds of baking
chocolate.
Deaths
due to theobromine have been documented in horses who ate
cocoa bean hulls used in bedding and in other livestock fed
cocoa waste products. No chocolate poisonings have been reported
in cats, which is probably a reflection of their eating habits.
The the first signs of chocolate poisoning are
vomiting and diarrhea, increased urination and nausea. These
can progress to cardiac arrhythmias and seizures.
Dogs definitely have a sweet tooth. Dog-proof for home to keep your dog safe.
Milk chocolate
should never be given to your pet and it should be kept well
out of reach. Unsweetened baking chocolate should be kept
in closed containers in upper, latched cupboards.
If
your dog eats potentially dangerous amounts of chocolate and
you can get the pet to your vet within two hours, vomiting
can be induced to remove the poison. If longer than two hours
has passed, the animal may need to be seen and treated.
Direct
any questions you may have to your veterinarian, regional
poison control center, or the National Animal Poison Information
Center at The University of Illinois in Urbana which provides
computer-supported telephone consultation for potential poisonings.http://www.napcc.aspca.org
or call the toll free number 888-426-4435
It
is our responsibility to keep our animals safe. Protect your
dogs from their own sweet tooth. Occasional treats are okay,
but keep your dog away from candy bars.
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