Wednesday, October 16, 2019
It's a dog owner's nightmare: coming downstairs to a trail of chocolate wrappers leading right to your pup. If this happens, it's important to know how to act, and fast."Small dogs and those under the age of four are most at risk of seeing serious complications due to chocolate exposure," says Innovet Pet Co-Founder Matt Terrill. "It's very easy for both to consume too much chocolate, and that's why all pet owners need to know what action they should immediately take."
As a precaution, make sure you understand the emergency contact process at your veterinarian’s office, including the number to call, and if there’s a fee associated. It may also be smart to get your pup in the system of a few local veterinarians so you have a backup in case of an emergency.
If you notice that your pet has eaten chocolate right away, or within a few hours, Innovet Pet says owners should immediately induce vomiting.
"We recommend that every pet owner keep a syringe and a bottle of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (H202) in their dog's first aid kit," says Terrill. "With the correct concentration of hydrogen peroxide, pet owners can safely induce vomiting themselves without causing any harm. Now, it's important to know that only a certain amount of chocolate is dangerous to a dog, which is based on their weight. If you're not sure whether the amount they ate is dangerous, call ASPCA Poison Control or your veterinarian first."
Due to some forms of chocolate containing more methylxanthines than others—the chemical toxic to dogs—pet owners will need to take into account the type of chocolate their dog ate.
Toxic Levels of Chocolate
Baking Chocolate: 0.5 ounces per 10 pounds
Dark Chocolate: 1.5 ounce per 10 pounds
Milk Chocolate: 3.5 ounces per 10 pounds
White Chocolate: 47 pounds per 10 pounds
According to Innovet, if pet owners only notice their dog consumed chocolate after they've started vomiting it up, inducing vomiting with the H2O2 is pointless, as the chocolate has already been digested. In this case, owners will need to immediately get their dog to an emergency clinic.
Source: Innovet Pet
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