Chocolate can be extremely poisonous to dogs. Theobromine, a natural stimulant found in cocoa beans, can have serious effects on a dog̵7;s central nervous system. The extent of the toxicity depends on the amount of theobromine consumed and the dog̵7;s body weight, age and general health. Dog owners need to be aware of chocolate̵7;s toxic effects, the signs and symptoms of chocolate consumption in dogs, treatment and safety concerns.
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Theobromine
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While no amount or type of chocolate is healthy for dogs, some types of chocolate are less likely to cause serious problems. For example, white chocolate contains the least amount of theobromine at 1 mg per oz., while semisweet baking chocolate contains the highest amount of theobromine at 450 mg per oz. If your dog shows symptoms of chocolate poisoning, identifying the type of chocolate he has ingested may help your veterinarian treat the dog more effectively.
Signs and Symptoms
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Small amounts of chocolate (relative to the dog̵7;s body weight) may not result in any visible symptoms. Moderate amounts usually cause only mild symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhea, which subside in a few hours without causing permanent damage. Dogs suffering from vomiting and diarrhea are susceptible to dehydration if the symptoms last more than a few hours. If your dog displays these symptoms, watch him closely and contact your vet if the symptoms do not subside or if they get worse.
When a dog ingests toxic levels of theobromine, the stimulant causes a number of visible symptoms, including hyperactivity, restlessness, muscle twitching, increased urination and excessive panting. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, seek help from a veterinarian immediately. If untreated, theobromine poisoning can lead to seizures, coma and death.
Dogs digest and metabolize foods more slowly than humans, so the symptoms of theobromine poisoning may not be visible for several hours after ingestion. If you believe your dog may have eaten chocolate, watch him closely for symptoms for the next eight to 12 hours.
Treatment
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The prognosis for dogs with theobromine poisoning is good if they are treated soon after eating the chocolate, before showing serious symptoms. If your dog is not already vomiting, your vet may induce vomiting to reduce the amount of theobromine in the dog̵7;s system. This will likely be followed by an intestinal absorbent like charcoal. Dogs that are already vomiting considerably may be given anti-vomiting medications before taking intestinal absorbents. Dogs that have become dehydrated may also be given intravenous fluids.
Safety
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Because the effects of chocolate poisoning can be harmful to dogs, it is important to keep all chocolate, cocoa and other chocolate products safely out of reach of your dog.
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