Chocolate And Our Pets
Despite the completely different reality of Christmas 2020, one consistent will hopefully be Chocolate! Unfortunately, although a tasty treat for us, for our dogs and cats it can be quite toxic, depending on the type and amount consumed. The toxic ingredients for our pets are methylxanthines: Theobromine and caffeine. Our pets are not able to metabolize these ingredients efficiently like us, so they can cause illness ranging from excitement (like they have had a big drink of coffee!), to vomiting and diarrhea, all the way to seizures and heart failure at high doses.
Treatment is dependent on how much is consumed (see a rough guide below!) and ranges from simply monitoring to inducing vomiting and treating the more serious side effects of heart problems and seizures.
Doses Below which no side effects are expected:
Lab (30kg/66lb body weight):
– Milk chocolate – 250 grams or less
– Semi sweet chocolate – 100 grams or less
– Bakers chocolate – 35 grams or less
Beagle (10kg/22lb body weight):
– Milk chocolate – 80 grams or less
– Semi sweet chocolate – 35 grams or less
– Bakers chocolate – 10 grams or less
Chihuahua (4kg/ 9lb body weight):
– Milk chocolate – 30 grams or less
– Semi sweet chocolate – 13 grams or less
– Bakers chocolate – Even a few crumbs is bad!
Doses above which moderate to serious side effects can be expected and you should call us right away:
Lab (30kg/66lb body weight):
– Milk chocolate – 650 grams or more
– Semi sweet chocolate – 250 grams or more
– Bakers chocolate – 100 grams or more
Beagle (10kg/22lb body weight):
– Milk chocolate – 230 grams or more
– Semi sweet chocolate – 90 grams or more
– Bakers chocolate – 30 grams or more
Chihuahua (4kg/ 9lb body weight):
– Milk chocolate – 90 grams or more
– Semi sweet chocolate – 35 grams or more
– Bakers chocolate – Even a few crumbs is dangerous! Call us right away!
Check out the link below for a chocolate toxicity calculator: https://www.vets-now.com/dog-chocolate-toxicity-calculator/
CLINIC UPDATE:
With Manitoba’s COVID-19 caseload high, and the provincial restrictions in place, we have returned to offering solely curbside treatment with window visibility to allow a contactless approach to keep you, our clients, as well as our team and families as safe as possible. We have set up our exam room in the waiting room again, so you can watch your pet through the windows if they are in the clinic for an exam.
Our Online Store (click on the “shop online” button on our website) allows you to purchase a huge variety of products from pet food to seasonal items and have them delivered free of charge to the Clinic for contactless pickup, or be delivered directly to your home (shipping fees apply).
Lastly, if you need medication refills for your pets, please feel free to ask about having them shipped directly to your home if this is something that would be beneficial to you.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns, and we will find a way help and get through this winter together.
Stay safe and stay healthy!
