Chocolate can be like poison for a dog. THEOBROMINE is the stimulant, similar to caffeine, that can cause heart and nervous system damage or even organ faillure. Milk chocolate is toxic to the degree of 1 ounce per pound of weight. Every ounce of SEMI SWEET can cause injury to a dog of 3-6 pounds. A dog that weighs 10 pounds will encounter toxic levels of BAKERS CHOCOLATE of only 1 ounce ingested. COCOA BEANS are still stronger being toxic at one ounce ingested per 33 pounds of weight. It is not to be forgotten that chocolate is extremely toxic for your dog.
The other day I met a live victim. MIlo, the yellow lab, had a diagnosis of pancreatitis. The dogs human parent told me the story of her dog having eaten an entire pound of chocolate. By the time they discovered what had happened, they didn’t even know when he might have ingested it, just empty wrappers under a table, it was too late to undue organ damage. It wasn’t until the next day that symptoms started to occur. Diarrhea and vomiting should be the most common symptom. Only then did they know to go to the vet. As time passed and their were no initial symptoms, the weekend passed by easily. They should have done two things immediately. The followed two things could have saved his now injured pancreas.
In general, if you suspect your dog may have eaten something “BAD”, with the exception of caustic substances such as Bleach or Draino , you may always induce vomiting. Your primary medicine cabinet remedies for poison control are as follows:
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE given 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight, squirted down the throat with a syringe, or soaked into a piece of bread and fed, will induce vomiting, in most cases, within 20 minutes. IF NOT, re-administer dose , BUT ONLY ONE MORE TIME. I have never not had a dog vomit, but if it does not then GO TO THE VET. However, usually vomiting will solve many issues. A dogs digestive track is much shorter than a humans and is easily vacated if vomiting is induced soon enough. vomiting must be induced within 2 hours of ingestion as the digestive track in dogs moves so fast that anything longer than that will not give a result of vomit. LOOK AT THE VOMIT! See what you see. Is there lots of chocolate in there or whatever else you suspect? Garbage? Plants?
Activated Charcoal is the best follow up after vomiting induced by Hydrogen Peroxide. An indepth search on my part has never located a specific dose for activated charcoal, but it is harmless and can only benefit the digestive system. I have successsfully given my dogs that weigh 30 pounds two tabs. It is similar to your filtration system. Charcoal absorbs toxins in the water such as chlorine. If you introduce charcoal into the digestive system it will absorb toxins very well removing harmful side effects of toxic foods. At least, whenever you suspect that something has been ingested that is causing stomach upset or might cause indigestion give your dog CHARCOAL TABS. This should work extremely well.
So in summary, when in doubt about what your dog ate, or if you are sure it was chocolate, INDUCE VOMITING and FOLLOW with ACTIVATED CHARCOAL tabs.
Remember if you do not successfully see your dog vomit then GO TO THE VET. Or, if in doubt, GO TO THE VET.
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