Q: My Lab loves sweets. I am concerned that he might access chocolate during the holiday season. What do I do if he eats chocolate?
A: Chocolate ingestion can be very serious, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures, heart abnormalities or, in rare circumstances, death. Dark chocolate can cause more serious signs than milk chocolate.
In some cases, no treatment is indicated, but you should take guidance from your veterinarian.
One of the main concerns is identifying that your dog actually ate chocolate. Try to determine the approximate time of ingestion, the kind of chocolate, and the volume of chocolate. Collect all wrappers, boxes, etc, that helps identify the kind of chocolate and an estimate of the amount ingested.
Call your local veterinary hospital or ER. You can also contact the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435, 24/7. If necessary, induction of vomiting, and/or using activated charcoal to help neutralize the chocolate is indicated.
Further treatment may be indicated, depending on the signs and the kind of chocolate eaten. Treatments include IV catheter, fluids, sedation, and close monitoring of the heart.
Of course, store chocolate in cabinets far away from your dog’s access. You can also get a general idea about the potential for toxicity from the website vetcalculator.com. Additionally, VeterinaryPartner.com has an excellent treatise on chocolate toxicity.
Paws and Claws Column
By Dr. Frank Lavac, MS, DVM
If you have any questions, you can contact Dr. Lavac at 310-828-4587.
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