Chocolate decadence proves almost fatal for dog
FOURWAYS - Fourways Vet did an emergency operation on a dog that consumed one kilogram of Lindor chocolates, foil wrappers included.
An iconic Oreo TV advert features a toddler telling his canine companion that “chocolate isn’t good for dogs, but you can have the rest of my milk”. Never was the proclamation more true than for an Alaskan Malamute named Mia that sniffed out a packet of Lindor chocolates in her owner, Dr Linda Cartwright’s cupboard and ate every last one. Cartwright said she is very aware of the dangers of dogs consuming chocolate which is why she always hides the confectionery in her home. “Mia looked sick so I took her to the vet,” she said. “It was only after she was examined that I even found out she had chocolate poisoning and then discovered that she had eaten the hidden chocolates.”
Mia had to undergo surgery to remove the chocolate wrappers and is now recovering very well, however her indulgence could have proved fatal.
According to Dr Johan Nel, a surgeon at Fourways Vet, no amount of chocolate is ever alright for a dog to consume. Dark chocolate and baker’s chocolate are the riskiest. “Chocolate is made from cocoa and cocoa beans contain caffeine and a related chemical compound called theobromine, which is a real danger,” Nel said. “Even small amounts of chocolate can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs. Truly toxic amounts can induce hyperactivity, tremors, high blood pressure, a rapid heart rate, seizures, respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.” Nel explained that theobromine is also toxic to cats, but there are very few reported cases of theobromine poisoning in felines because they will rarely eat chocolate. However, dogs will eat just about anything.
Another way in which dogs can be exposed to theobromine is through cocoa shell mulch which is becoming increasingly popular in landscaping. “With regards to the wrappers that Mia consumed, the biggest risk there was the obstruction as they cannot pass through the digestive system naturally and have to be surgically removed,” Nel said.
He added that if a dog has ingested chocolate, the faster it is taken to the vet, the better. “There is no specific antidote for chocolate poisoning,” Nel said. “Usually after vomiting is induced, activated charcoal is given to help prevent the absorption of the remaining toxins. Symptoms of theobromine poisoning generally occur within four to 24 hours after chocolate is consumed.”
