Chocolate Poisoning

It's trick or treat time, which means lots of goodies will be around your house. Many dogs and some cats enjoy chocolate, too, and if given the opportunity will engorge themselves. Unfortunately, more harm may be done than the loss of your dessert. Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant similar to caffeine. When ingested in excess, serious medical problems can result. What may not seem to be a large quantity for a person to consume is quite a lot for a dog weighing 10 or 20 pounds. Animals with chocolate poisoning may be restless, tense and thirsty. Vomiting, diarrhea and convulsions occur in more serious cases. Prevention is the key. Keep your chocolate out of reach of your pets. If Fido still manages to find and consume chocolate, call your veterinarian. Early on, absorption can be prevented by medically inducing vomiting or by pumping the stomach. After signs develop, supportive medical care is necessary.