"Chocolate Toxicity"

Chocolate may be a great treat for people, but it can cause a number of problems in our animal friends. The fat and sugar can cause an upset stomach, or in certain cases, pancreatitis can result. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and can be very serious. Chocolate also has an ingredient, theobromine which is toxic to animals. Theobromine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, and tremors. At higher doses, it can cause seizures, racing heart rate that can progress to abnormal rhythms. This is usually the cause of death in cases of chocolate overdose.

Of the different types of chocolate, baking chocolate is the highest in theobromine, containing roughly 400 mg/ oz; semisweet and dark chocolate contains 150 mg/oz and milk chocolate contains roughly 50 mg/oz. Chocolate flavored cakes and cookies are usually less concentrated in theobromine, but large amounts can also cause issues. Toxic doses are 9 mg/ pound of dog for mild signs, but each individual dog may respond a little differently. On average, a 2 ounce milk chocolate bar will cause mild signs in a 11 pound dog, Cats are more sensitive to the effects of theobromine.

However, during the holidays with the hustle and bustle, it is rare that owners know exactly how much chocolate their dog has ingested. Usually all that remains is a shredded bag or some of the wrapper. It is best to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible. Your veterinarian can induce vomiting to prevent absorption if ingestion was recent enough. More importantly, they will be able to evaluate your dog for sign of toxicity and initiate detoxification and supportive treatments to control the effects of the theobromine. It takes nearly four days for the effects of chocolate to work its way out of a dog's system. A visit to your veterinarian as soon as the ingestion occurs is important to improve your pet's prognosis.