Clinical signs depend on the amount and type of chocolate ingested. For many dogs, the most common clinical signs are vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, panting or restlessness, excessive urination, and racing heart rate. In severe cases, symptoms can include muscle tremors, seizures, and heart failure.
Dark Chocolate: Use a scale of 1.5 ounces per 10 pounds of body weight. That's 3 ounces for a 20 pound dog. If they've ingested that much or more, it's time to call your vet. Milk Chocolate or Semi-sweet: A poisonous amount would be anything over 3.5 ounces- a standard size Hershey's bar- for a small 10 pound dog.
Signs of chocolate poisoning usually appear within 6 to 12 hours after your dog has eaten it. Older dogs and dogs with heart conditions are more at risk of sudden death from chocolate poisoning.
If you know your dog ate some chocolate, you should call your vet. If you don't have a vet or if the vet is closed, you can call the 24/7 Pet Poison helpline at 855-764-7661.
After vomiting induction and/or charcoal treatment, your pet will need to be monitored for symptoms for 4-6 hours. If symptoms occur, supportive therapy will be required to keep your pet safe and stable until toxicity wears off. This can take up to 72 hours.
Yes, chocolate is toxic to dogs. While rarely fatal, chocolate ingestion can result in significant illness. Chocolate is toxic because it contains a chemical called theobromine, as well as caffeine. Theobromine is the main toxin in chocolate and is very similar to caffeine.
Seizures are one of the most severe symptoms of extreme chocolate toxicity in dogs. This may only occur when a dog has ingested a large quantity of chocolate, but it can sometimes mean the toxicity will become fatal without veterinary treatment.
In general, though, the darker and more bitter the chocolate the greater the danger. For instance, 8 ounces (a ½ pound) of milk chocolate may sicken a 50-pound dog, whereas a dog of the same size can be poisoned by as little as 1 ounce of Baker's chocolate!
Clinical signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs can begin 2-24 hours after ingestion. These can include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, fast breathing, increased heart rate, seizures, hyperactivity, and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). In severe cases, these can progress to heart failure, coma, and death.
If your dog has eaten chocolate you are strongly advised to contact your local vet immediately for medical advice. Chocolate is toxic to dogs. Chocolate ingestion can result in vomiting, diarrhoea or even seizures. In severe cases chocolate toxicity can be fatal.
One piece of chocolate should not harm your dog, but multiple pieces can harm your dog. Clinical signs depend on how much and the type of chocolate ingested. Below are common signs to watch out for: Tremors in the muscles and limbs.
If you know your dog has consumed chocolate, call your vet and get your dog treated as soon as possible. The first step is to induce vomiting and give multiple doses of activated charcoal to decontaminate. If needed, your pet will be given IV fluids, and sedatives may be given to keep your pet calm.
It is worth mentioning that some poisoning symptoms in dogs will show up right away, whereas others might take a few hours after ingestion before they appear. In case you know that your dog has ingested something that might potentially be toxic or poisonous, you must not wait until any symptoms appear.
Vetted Pet Care suggests taking only three percent solution of Hydrogen Peroxide (not the concentrated six percent solution) and putting 1ml for every pound of body weight (so 16 ml for 16 pounds), into food or in a dropper to feed her to induce vomiting.
KitKat contains chocolate which is toxic to dogs. When consumed in small quantities, it can cause digestive issues; in large amounts, it can cause poison to dogs. KitKat is high in sugar. Excessive consumption can lead to tooth decay, obesity, and diabetes.
25% of poisoned pets recover within two hours. Of the pets that take longer to recover, many can be treated at home with the advice of your veterinarian or with advice from the ASPCA Poison Control Center (telephone 1-888-426-4435).
No. Milk is unlikely to be helpful in the vast majority of poisoning situations and can sometimes make things worse. Most pets are lactose intolerant and giving milk can cause or worsen stomach upset symptoms.
Typically, mild cases of poisoning have high recovery rates. In severe poisoning cases or cases where treatment was delayed the chance of recovery is extremely low. When pets do recover from severe poisoning there can also be long-term damage to their overall health.
The chocolate can also be in the form of chocolate biscuits such as Tim Tams, or other foods containing chocolate. If you see your pet eat chocolate, ring us immediately – there is no antidote to chocolate toxicity, so early intensive treatment is essential for survival.
The toxic dose for theobromine is reported as 100-150mg per kg body weight, however occasionally problems are observed at doses as low as 20mg/kg. What this means in a practical sense, using 100mg/kg as a guide this equates to: approximately 60 grams of milk chocolate per kg bodyweight.
Parasites, bacteria, gas build-up, or constipation can upset your dog's stomach.
Feeding your dog fatty foods, like hot dogs, bacon, ribs, or fried chicken, can upset your dog's stomach and cause vomiting and diarrhea. It can also lead to pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. Some breeds, like Miniature Schnauzers and Yorkshire Terriers, may be more prone to pancreatitis.
Clinical signs of poisoning in a dog may include: Gastrointestinal signs: vomiting, diarrhea, extreme salivation, loss of appetite, and nausea or dry heaving. Internal bleeding: indicated by pale gums, a racing heart, coughing up or vomiting blood, weakness or lethargy, or a dog's falling over or collapsing.
Symptoms caused by swallowed poisons can include: vomiting, diarrhoea, agitation and heart issues. Inhaled toxins may cause breathing difficulties or loss of consciousness in dogs. If your dog's skin comes in contact with a poisonous substance typical symptoms include irritation and pain.
A professional may ask you to induce vomiting at home with hydrogen peroxide. For this reason, you should try to always keep an unopened, non-expired bottle of hydrogen peroxide in your home (old hydrogen peroxide will not usually work). You will give the hydrogen peroxide to your dog by mouth.