Vet's chocolate warning after dog eats box of Favourites
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. A Tasmanian vet has shared a picture of a dog who learned the hard way eating an entire box of chocolates was a bad idea, as a warning against leaving treats under the Christmas tree where pets can reach them.
“As we approach our festive season please be mindful of where you place your chocolates,” the Burnie Vet Centre shared to Facebook on Wednesday.
The message accompanied a picture of the sad looking dog beside a bucket filled with vomited-up chocolates – the wrappers and all.
“Luna came to us today after eating a whole box of favourites!! Chocolate toxicity can be potentially fatal to our furry friends,” the vet added.
Luna’s owner Rebecca van Essen wrote on the thread later Wednesday night, reporting that her pup was on the mend.
“Thanks everyone, this is my beautiful baby Luna,” she wrote.
“Thankfully she is back to her perky self now. We completely absent mindedly put the chocolates wrapped up under the Xmas tree- but Luna found them.”
However Ms van Essen wasn’t entirely sure Luna had learned her lesson.
“I’d like to say she wouldn’t do it again, but…….!” she added.
The post received many sympathetic messages from pet owners, some of whom have had dogs find out the hard way that chocolate is toxic to pups.
“Oohh I know the feeling you poor dawg, our little chihuahua ate a massive Easter egg, awful!! glad you’re on the mend,” one woman wrote.
Why is chocolate toxic to dogs?
Cocoa contains the compound theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and other pets at certain doses, and is potentially deadly.
“Chocolate poisoning is a problem that occurs mainly in dogs but also occurs occasionally in cats or other animals. It is important not to give your pets any chocolate and to ensure they cannot accidentally access any of your chocolate supplies,” the RSPCA warned.
The concentration of theobromine varies depending on the type of chocolate and size of the dog – with cocoa powder, baking chocolate and dark chocolate containing higher levels compared to milk chocolate.
The warning signs to look for in your dog include restlessness, excitement, hyperactivity, nervousness, trembling, vomiting, diarrhoea, increased drinking and increased urination, increased heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures.
If a dog or pet has ingested chocolate, even a small amount, the RSPCA advised owners to contact their local veterinarian as soon as possible for advice.
Vets can usually treat chocolate poisoning by inducing vomiting and with supportive therapy in hospital, but veterinary attention should be sought quickly.
