Each holiday season, veterinarians
witness an increase in accidental chocolate poisoning in dogs.
Themajority 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: 50 - 60 mgs/oz
- Semi-sweet chocolate: 160 mg/oz
- Unsweetened baking chocolate: 450
mg/oz
- Cacao meal: 300 - 900 mg/oz
- Cacao beans: 300 - 1200 mg/oz
- Hot chocolate: 13 mg/oz
The toxic dosage of theobromine in
dogs is between 100 and 150 mgs/kg, or about 2 oz. of milk
chocolate for every 2.2 pounds of body weight. However, serious
non-fatal poisonings have been reported in dogs after eating much
smaller amounts.
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 first signs of chocolate
poisoning are vomiting and diarrhea, increased urination and
nausea. These can progress to cardiac arrhythmias and
seizures
Treatment includes:
- Emesis (vomiting)
- repeated doses of activated
charcoal
- controlling seizing with
diazepam
- monitoring/controlling arrhythmias
with mertoprolol.
- catheterize the bladder since
theobromine can be re-absorbed in the bladder
- Supportive care until complete
recovery
Dogs definitely have a sweet tooth,
and the problem with giving a dog milk chocolate as a treat is that
it develops a liking for chocolate. 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.
