Page 39 - Chow LIfe - Winter 2018

Dog Care: After Your Dog Eats Chocolate Write down what you can.
The ASPCA, Susan Thorpe-Vargas, MS, PhD in her article If several hours have passed between the time your dog
“Poisoned,” and others strongly encourage pet owner to ate a toxic dose of chocolate and your finding him or her,
be prepared for a poisoning. When time can make the it’s possible that your dog is displaying severe symptoms.
difference between life and death, it is important that the If your dog is having seizures or is comatose, don’t delay,
owner know steps to take immediately and have the first- immediately take your dog to your veterinarian.
aid tools on hand to take those steps. On the other hand, begin administering emergency
To prepare, get knowledgeable. You’ll avoid panic if you treatment and contact your veterinarian or call the
have educated yourself. Videos are great because they’re pet poison experts at National Animal Poison Control
convenient. A video is easy to play, can be viewed by a Center at the University of Illinois in Urbana. The Center
family together and is a great way to relax in your easy provides computer-supported telephone consultation for
chair while learning skills that can save the life of your potential poisonings. There is a nominal charge. [See
pet. . . . . Editor’s Note below for current information on contacting
Next, be prepared by having on hand the tools you might the National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC)]
need. The first-aid treatment for chocolate poisoning If your dog doesn’t eat enough chocolate to induce
involves removing it from the body, quickly, before too toxicity, but is vomiting (without your prodding) or has
much time passes and the theobromine has circulated, diarrhea, it’s likely that it’s the chocolate’s high fat content
damaging the gastrointestinal tract in the process. The that is the culprit. Watch your dog carefully, you don’t
treatment includes: want him or her to dehydrate. Provide plenty of fluids.
• inducing vomiting, which removes, and then If your dog’s symptoms don’t clear up within eight hours,
administering call your veterinarian. If your dog is very small or young,
• activated charcoal slurry, which absorbs. call your veterinarian within four hours. A good outcome
is likely if treatment is provided within 4 to 6 hours of
The sooner this is done, the less the effects of the ingestion. The effects of chocolate can linger for 12-36
poison. That, in itself, explains the importance of dog hours, though, so your dog may require hospitalization.
owners having an emergency kit in their homes plus the
knowledge for quick first-aid treatment. CJMF 6/03, reprinted with permission.
To induce vomiting, Michelle Bamberger in Help! Originallly published in Chow Life - Spring 2004
The Quick Guide to First Aid for Your Dog, Howell
Bookhouse, New York 1993, recommends using three
percent hydrogen peroxide, one-to-two teaspoons Editor’s Note:
by mouth every 15 minutes until vomiting occurs.
Alternatively, she suggests using Syrup of Ipecac. Use, The National Animal Poison Control Center
she says, two to three teaspoons, only once. You can get (NAPCC) can be reached by calling 1-900-680-0000
Syrup of Ipecac at almost any pharmacy. You do not or 1- 800-548-2423. The NAPPC is a non-profit
need a prescription from your doctor. Syrup of Ipecac service of the University of Illinois. It provides advice
is inexpensive and will keep for several years if stored at to animal owners and confers with veterinarians
room temperature. about poisoning exposures.
After vomiting, Bamberger says to give the dog by Resources: The NAPCC’s phones are answered
mouth activated charcoal mixed with water to a slurry by licensed veterinarians and board-certified
consistency. The dosage is 1 teaspoon for dogs who are veterinary toxicologists. This specialized information
less than 25 pounds and 2 teaspoons for dogs weighing lets the experienced NAPCC staff make specific
more than 25 pounds. recommendations for animals, rather than
Put Activated Charcoal in Your Emergency Kit generalized poison information provided by a human
poison control center.
The substance is a fine powder form of processed charcoal Cost: Depending on which option is chosen, the
that binds to many types of poisons and can keep them charge is $20.00 for the first five minutes, then $2.95/
from being absorbed into the bloodstream. This product minute thereafter when using the 900 number. If you
is easy to find online. Check it out, getting some now, use the 800 number, the charge is $30.00 per case
before you forget. . . . . (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express
In the event your dog has eaten chocolate, always gather only). With the 800 access, only the NAPCC will do
as much information as possible. Note the type of as many follow-up calls as necessary in critical cases
chocolate the dog ate, how much chocolate was eaten and, if you wish, will consult with your veterinarian.
and approximately when your dog ate it. Write this
information down. Should you need medical help, your
veterinarian will appreciate any facts you can provide. If
you can’t get this information quickly, don’t belabor it.
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