A DOG SAFE VALENTINE’S DAY

Even though Valentine’s Day is a holiday of romance, roses and chocolate, it is important that you keep the health and welfare of your puppy dog in mind. The biggest health challenge for dogs during the holiday of love is the abundance of chocolate candy. Did you know that chocolate poisoning is the second most common cause of accidental poisonings for dogs?

DOGS AND CHOCOLATE Chocolate contains the chemical theobromine. This chemical is found in the cocoa fat component of chocolate and acts as a stimulant within the dog’s system. Small dogs can be poisoned from smaller amounts of theobromine than large dogs. 1 and ½ ounces of dark chocolate or Baker’s Chocolate can be a lethal dose for a small dog.

Each variety of chocolate has a different level of theobromine. White chocolate has the least amount of theobromine, about 1 mg per ounce. Milk chocolate, the most common kind of chocolate, contains 65 milligrams of theobromine per ounce, semisweet chocolate contains 165 mgs and baking chocolate has about 400mg. All kinds of chocolate have the potential to make your dog ill.

THEOBROMINE-NOT FOR DOGS When you or your dog eats chocolate, the theobromine is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and intestines into the bloodstream. It’s carried to all parts of the body and is eventually metabolized by the liver and then eliminated in the urine.

Unfortunately, dogs have a very difficult time metabolizing theobromine; it takes approximately 15 to 20 hours for a dog to eliminate one-half of the theobromine consumed from its body. However, it only takes 5 hours for your body to dump the excess theobromine from your system.

THEOBROMINE STIMULATES DOGS Theobromine, like caffeine, acts as a stimulant. It directly affects the heart and can cause an extreme increase in heart rate, an increase in blood pressure, as well as irregularities in the heart rhythm. This is why people find chocolate so irresistible, chemically it mimics the feeling of infatuation by causing rapid heartbeat, hyperactivity, flushing of the skin. Chocolate makes us feel like we are in love.

DOGS AND CAFFEINE DO NOT MIX Unfortunately, the canine central nervous system is negatively stimulated by theobromine. Excessive chemical stimulation can result in nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, tremors, and even seizures. Stimulation of the central nervous system can increase respiration, increase panting, and induce nausea, and vomiting. Theobromine acts a diuretic causing large amounts of body fluid are lost by urination, which can lead to dehydration.

DOGS AND TOO MUCH CHOCOLATE Within two to three hours of consuming a toxic dose of chocolate, the dog will appear excited, agitated or nervous; may exhibit polydipsia; and may vomit. Within 8-10 hours, the dog may be extremely hyperactive, have difficulty walking, may develop seizures and ultimately may fall into a coma and die.

Watch for the following symptoms of chocolate poisoning: • Excessive drooling • Excessive urination • Pupil dilation • Excessive panting • Rapid heartbeat • Vomiting and diarrhea • Pale gums • Hyperactivity • Muscle tremors and seizures

WHAT IF YOUR DOG LOOKS SICK? So what do you do if you find that your dog has gotten into your gift basket of chocolate? If your dog consumed only a small amount of white or milk chocolate, he may not require treatment. Any dog that is exhibiting symptoms of chocolate toxicosis must be treated immediately.

Treatment usually involves the administration of emetics, to make the dog vomit; activated charcoal, to bind theobromine in the stomach and limit its reabsorption into the bloodstream; intravenous or subcutaneous fluids prevent dehydration, and sedatives such as valium, to control seizures.

DOGS NEED LOVE TOO-BUT NOT CHOCOLATE An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure during the most romantic time of the year, Valentine’s Day. If you follow the following guidelines, you will be able to protect your dog from temptation.

1. Always place chocolate on a high counter, in a cabinet or in the refrigerator.

2. If you are a pet parent that likes to share your goodies with your dog, purchase some dog friendly Valentine treats such as carob cookies or carob candy especially made for the canine body.

3. If you are having a party at your house make sure that all liquor and chocolates are placed on a high counter or are always under the watchful eye of a sober bartender.

4. Most importantly double check your kitchen and eating floor and counter for any forgotten chocolate contraband before you turn in for the night.

This article was written by Ami Moore, Director of Training for Doggie Do Right 911, Inc. located in cold and wintery Chicago, Illinois. The city of Chicago was recently voted on of the most dog friendly cities in the United States. Contact Ami Moore through her websites www.amimoore.com, www.dogtrainingchicago.com and www.dogtrainerchicago.com .

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