The veterinarian told about the danger of chocolate for dogs
Chocolate can pose a serious danger to dogs because of the theobromine and caffeine it contains. The higher the proportion of cocoa, the greater the risk of poisoning. Simona Latsis, a veterinarian and gastroenterologist at Vetcity Clinic, told Izvestia about this on October 8.
"The main danger of chocolate is related to theobromine, which is found in cocoa beans. In addition, chocolate also contains caffeine, which enhances the toxic effect. These substances stimulate the nervous system and heart function, but dogs are much more sensitive to them than humans," the specialist noted.
According to Latsis, it is wrong to assess the danger by the number of lobules, since they can vary in size and composition. The weight of the eaten chocolate, the content of toxic substances and the weight of the animal are important. Bitter chocolate with a high concentration of cocoa is considered especially risky.
Which chocolate is the most dangerous
Dark chocolate with the same amount is usually more dangerous for dogs than milk chocolate because it contains more theobromine. Unsweetened baking chocolate and cocoa powder can have particularly high concentrations of this substance.
White chocolate contains significantly less theobromine, so the probability of theobromine poisoning is lower. However, this does not make it a safe treat for dogs.
Large amounts of fat and sugar can cause digestive disorders, and in animals with a predisposition it can provoke inflammation of the pancreas.
What dose of chocolate is dangerous
According to the veterinarian, signs of poisoning may appear already with the intake of about 20 mg of theobromine and caffeine in total per 1 kg of body weight. At a higher dose, serious cardiac disorders and seizures are possible.
At the same time, the sensitivity of animals varies. The same piece of chocolate for a large and a small dog will create a different load on the body. Therefore, when assessing the risk, it is necessary to take into account the weight of the pet, the amount of food eaten and its composition.
"Signs of poisoning may include muscle tremors, seizures, pronounced agitation, rapid or irregular heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, extreme thirst and anxiety. Symptoms sometimes appear only a few hours after eating chocolate. Therefore, the animal's normal state of health immediately after it has eaten a sweet does not mean that the danger has passed," the expert explained.
Why does theobromine stay in the body for a long time?
The dog's body slowly processes theobromine due to the peculiarities of metabolism. According to Lacis, its elimination half-life is about 17.5 hours. This means that during the specified period, the amount of the substance in the body decreases by about half. In severe poisoning, the effects on the cardiovascular and nervous systems can persist for up to three days.
What to do if the dog has eaten chocolate
When eating chocolate, Latsis recommends contacting a veterinary clinic as soon as possible. The doctor should be informed which chocolate the dog ate, in what quantity and how long ago it happened, as well as name the weight of the animal. The packaging of the product should be kept and taken with you, as it is important for a specialist to know its composition. You should not wait for the first symptoms to appear: the sooner the animal is treated, the more likely it is to avoid severe poisoning.
The veterinarian does not recommend self-vomiting. Vomit can enter the respiratory tract and lead to aspiration pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs. The doctor determines the necessary procedure taking into account the condition of the dog and the time that has passed since eating chocolate.
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