Is chocolate safe for dogs? Many dog owners ask this question. I am a well-experienced pet specialist. In this blog, I am going to share with you a clinical case of chocolate toxicity in a dog. A few months ago, one of my friends brought a dog with the following clinical signs:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive Urination
- Increased Thirst and Accelerated Heart Rate
- Panting or Restlessness
After observing the apparent clinical signs, I took a thorough history from the owner. Found out that the dog ingested a significant amount of dark chocolate. After a few hours, he started showing the signs of toxicity.
Medical Reason:
Chocolate (particularly dark chocolate) is not suitable for dogs. This is because chocolates contain a high amount of theobromine and caffeine. These two substances are potentially harmful to dogs, as they cannot metabolize them.
Note: Darker chocolate is more dangerous for dogs as compared to milk chocolate because they are concentrated with theobromine.
The Treatment:
After taking an extensive history from the owner and performing a thorough clinical examination. I opt for the following treatment plan:
- Induced vomiting with the help of activated charcoal to remove the chemical from the body and slow down its absorption.
Alternative method: You can also choose this method to induce vomiting in your dog. You can give 1 to 2 teaspoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide with the help of a dropper.
- Secondly, I administered the intravenous fluid to that dog. These fluids help to manage the dehydration and effective elimination of theobromine from the body.
Outcomes:
The dog was not in serious condition, so he showed improvement with the supportive treatment above. I discharged the dog within 5 hours after keeping him under observation. Regularly, heartbeat, blood pressure, and other parameters were observed by my team.
Further Information:
In some cases, chocolate toxicity becomes too severe. The toxicity can lead to muscular tremors, seizures, and cardiovascular complications.
Never give any medication without taking consultancy from a certified veterinarian.
Recommendations:
Chocolate toxicosis is regularly seen in dogs. Unfortunately, this can put your dog’s life in danger. Being a responsible owner, this is your duty to keep an eye on your dog. If you suspect that your dog has ingested chocolate, do contact your vet immediately.