Help ... My dog just ate a huge bar of chocolate...

[DMickey28]

My DH and I went out to breakfast and came back to find the wrappers of a HUGE bar of Symphony Chocolate. I think he ate the WHOLE bar (you know those BIG ones).

The cats must have knocked it off the counter.

He is acting fine now ... I don't know how long ago he ate it but we have been gone about an hour and half.

Should I call the emergency vet? Just keep an eye on him??? I was going to go out and run errands but of course I will stay home ....

What should I do???

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Call the emergency vet. Chocolate can be lethal and best to check with a professional as I don't know the proper treatment. If you have to bring him in--it will be the best money you ever spend if it saves his life.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I googled and here is the emergency treatment--I would take your dog to the ER right away.

The first-aid treatment for chocolate poisoning involves removing it from the body, quickly, before too much time passes and the theobromine has circulated, damaging the gastrointestinal tract in the process. The treatment includes:

inducing vomiting, which removes, and then administering
activated charcoal slurry, which absorbs.
The sooner this is done, the less the effects of the poison. That, in itself, explains the importance of dog owners having an emergency kit in their homes plus the knowledge for quick first-aid treatment.

To induce vomiting, Michelle Bamberger in Help! The Quick Guide to First Aid for Your Dog, Howell Bookhouse, New York 1993, recommends using three percent hydrogen peroxide, one-to-two teaspoons by mouth every 15 minutes until vomiting occurs. Alternatively, she suggests using Syrup of Ipecac. Use, she says, two to three teaspoons, only once.

You can get Syrup of Ipecac at almost any pharmacy. You do not need a prescription from your doctor. Syrup of Ipecac is inexpensive and will keep for several years if stored at room temperature.

After vomiting, Bamberger says to give the dog by mouth activated charcoal mixed with water to a slurry consistency. The dosage is 1 teaspoon for dogs who are less than 25 pounds and 2 teaspoons for dogs weighing more than 25 pounds.

 

[teacups]

It's DARK chocolate that is the problem... but a whole bar of any kind is a call to the vet ASAP.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

More info---looks like you have time...it says you have about 4-6 hours to treat...but to call/see the vet right away.

http://www.sheltienation.com/welcome_to_sheltie_nation/2006/10/halloween_remin.html

We've all heard it, "Don't give your dog chocolate it will kill him". We'll how true is it you're probably wondering. Do I have to rush him to an emergency vet if he ate one of my M&M's? Well, it depends...

Toxic Levels
The bad news is chocolate contains theobromine that is toxic to dogs in sufficient quantities. This is a xanthine compound in the same family of caffeine, and theophylline.

The good news is that it takes, on average, a fairly large amount of theobromine 100-150 mg/kg to cause a toxic reaction. Although there are variables to consider like the individual sensitivity, animal size and the TYPE of chocolate the dog consumed.

* White chocolate: 200 ounces per pound of body weight. It takes 250 pounds of white chocolate to cause signs of poisoning in a 20-pound dog, 125 pounds for a 10-pound dog.

* Milk chocolate: 1 ounce per pound of body weight. Approximately one pound of milk chocolate is poisonous to a 20-pound dog; one-half pound for a 10-pound dog. The average chocolate bar contains 2 to 3 ounces of milk chocolate. It would take 2-3 candy bars to poison a 10 pound dog. Semi-sweet chocolate has a similar toxic level.

* Sweet cocoa: 0.3 ounces per pound of body weight. One-third of a pound of sweet cocoa is toxic to a 20-pound dog; 1/6 pound for a 10-pound dog.

* Baking chocolate: 0.1 ounce per pound body weight. Two one-ounce squares of bakers' chocolate is toxic to a 20-pound dog; one ounce for a 10-pound dog.

Clinical Signs
Hyper excitability
Hyper irritability
Increased heart rate
Restlessness
Increased urination
Muscle tremors
Vomiting
Diarrhea


Put Activated Charcoal in Your Emergency Kit
Toxiban Activated Charcoal. The substance is a fine powder form of processed charcoal that binds to many types of poisons and can keep them from being absorbed into the bloodstream. This product isn't easy to find online, but you can click on the photo to find a good source.


Toxiban might be wise to have in your pet emergency kit because it also is effective in adsorbing other poisonous substances eaten or drunk by dogs or cats. These toxins include, but are not limited to, strychnine, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, depressants and analgesics.

Treatment
If you suspect your pet has ingested chocolate contact your Vet immediately! They can help you determine the the proper treatment for your pet.

In the event your dog has eaten chocolate, always gather as much information as possible. Note the type of chocolate the dog ate, how much chocolate was eaten and approximately when your dog ate it. Write this information down. Should you need medical help, your veterinarian will appreciate any facts you can provide. If you can't get this information quickly, don't belabor it. Write down what you can.

If your dog doesn't eat enough chocolate to induce toxicity, but is vomiting (without your prodding) or has diarrhea, it's likely that it's the chocolate's high fat content that is the culprit. Watch your dog carefully. You don't want him or her to dehydrate. Provide plenty of fluids.

A good outcome is likely if treatment is provided within 4 to 6 hours of ingestion. The effects of chocolate can linger for 12-36 hours, though, so your dog may require hospitalization

 

[DMickey28]

My dog weighs 28.5 lbs. How big are these bars? It was a milk chocolate bar.

 

[arminnie]

How big is the dog and how many ounces is the "Big" Symphony bar?

Never hurts to call the emergency vet (except in the pocketbook), but it takes quite a bit of chocolate to kill a bigger dog.

My dog (30 lb cocker spaniel) ate a huge Costco bag of M&Ms. I didn't even know about it for a couple of weeks when I found a shred of the bag in my storage area. It was 2-3 pounds. He had no adverse effects at all, although stomach upsets can be common with the ingestion of chocolate.

 

[RobinMarie]

The size of the dog matters as well as type of chocolate. My lab ate an easter basket years ago and the vet told me not to worry, keep her hydrated. She said it would be a worry if she had eaten baker's chocolate but not the milk chocolate type.

 

[WilmaBud]

You can induce vomiting by giving him a couple of tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. You have to force it down his throat. I had to do this with my dogs because they got into a few bag of chocolate chips. I took them outside and did it. You'll spill plenty of the peroxide while doing it. You can give him more because he will throw it up. If he doesn't throw up in about 15 minutes, give another couple of tablespoons of it. This is advice from my vet.

I'd still call the vet or poison control just to be sure.

 

[KerriSue]

You can induce vomiting by giving him a couple of tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. You have to force it down his throat. I had to do this with my dogs because they got into a few bag of chocolate chips. I took them outside and did it. You'll spill plenty of the peroxide while doing it. You can give him more because he will throw it up. If he doesn't throw up in about 15 minutes, give another couple of tablespoons of it. This is advice from my vet.

I'd still call the vet or poison control just to be sure.

This is exactly what my vet told me.

My jack russell Buster seems to loved boxed chocolates. He never seems to miss a new box. There is nothing like cleaning up dog barf in every room of the house.

 

[DMickey28]

I called the vet. She said to watch him for vomiting. If he threw up then to bring him in. She said that the amount of chocolate for the size of the dog was very small.

I think he'll be ok. I am going to stay home for a while and keep an eye on him. I don't have any hydrogen peroxide .... I might walk over the store and get some and also see how many oz's these bars. I think at most he probably ate 2-3 oz of chocolate .... I read that 1 oz per pound is toxic. So he would have had to eat 28 oz of chocolate.

 

[Taylor]

I hope your dog is OK.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Reilly, our 10 lb miniature poodle, got ahold of some peanut butter kisses. The vet recommended to induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide, just as described above.

He must have a cast iron stomach, because not only did he not get sick, but the hydrogen peroxide didn't even make him vomit.

I hope your dog is okay. It sounds like he will be; I would imagine the vet would tell you to get him to the emergency vet if she was concerned about the size of the dog vs. the amount of chocolate.

 

[lowie]

i've also read to give them burnt toast, very very burnt.

my puppy got a tiny bit of chocolate the first week i had him and i freaked!!! he was fine, but now he's obsessed with chocolate. he goes crazy trying to get into any we have.

 

[RrCoAsTeR]

You can induce vomiting by giving him a couple of tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. You have to force it down his throat. I had to do this with my dogs because they got into a few bag of chocolate chips. I took them outside and did it. You'll spill plenty of the peroxide while doing it. You can give him more because he will throw it up. If he doesn't throw up in about 15 minutes, give another couple of tablespoons of it. This is advice from my vet.

I'd still call the vet or poison control just to be sure.

Use a chicken baster...

we reccomend this at the kennel/shelter...

call the vet to make sure this is an appropriate action,,, they can probably give you advice over the phone. If he did not throw the whole thing back up already, and is showing not effects, than it is either really good, or really bad.

GOOD LUCK AND PD!

 

[Feralpeg]

Reilly, our 10 lb miniature poodle, got ahold of some peanut butter kisses. The vet recommended to induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide, just as described above.

He must have a cast iron stomach, because not only did he not get sick, but the hydrogen peroxide didn't even make him vomit.

I hope your dog is okay. It sounds like he will be; I would imagine the vet would tell you to get him to the emergency vet if she was concerned about the size of the dog vs. the amount of chocolate.

My last dog also had a cast iron stomach. He swallowed one of DD's socks. It was one of the thin type anklets. The vet told me to use hydrogen peroxide. It caused him to foam at the mouth, but he never got sick. A couple of days later, I found the sock in the yard. Needless to say, DD want it back!

OP, I hope your puppy is okay!!

 

[DMickey28]

He seems to be doing fine. I ran a quick errand and came back and he seems to be the same as always ... no sickies. I think he'll be ok!!

We will just watch him today. I gave him his favorite chewy and he's a happy camper! He has been drinking a bit more water than usual but that's probably a good thing!!

This afternoon was going to be his grooming routine, which he HATES, so I will let him off the hook today!!

 

[Taylor]

The cats must have knocked it off the counter.

Glad to hear your dog is doing well. I would now start the investigation into the crime committed by the cats.

 

[almburr]

OT-I had a dog when i was in JH and HS she was the best her name was Spotcie good farm dog. Well she would always "attack" my dad who would have kisses in his t-shirt pocket. She would always find chocolate in the house and go crazy. Wee she started to get really fat like pregnant fat. Took here to the vet. She was going through menopause!! She was have flashes for chocolate and had to have a hysterectomy. she had a 10lb uterus. After that she never craved chocolate again. She died after i graduated she had been bit by a rattlesnake

We also had another dog JoJo who ate everything. playdough, There were many multi colored piles to clean
up. One time she had gotten into a diaper, chewed it up and ate the wet wipes. Well she went and did her business and here she is standing in the back yard with a wet wipe sticking out of her rear, that was not fun to remove. But they never acted sick or anything as happy as could be. Maybe I had weird dogs.

 

[DMickey28]

OT-I had a dog when i was in JH and HS she was the best her name was Spotcie good farm dog. Well she would always "attack" my dad who would have kisses in his t-shirt pocket. She would always find chocolate in the house and go crazy. Wee she started to get really fat like pregnant fat. Took here to the vet. She was going through menopause!! She was have flashes for chocolate and had to have a hysterectomy. she had a 10lb uterus. After that she never craved chocolate again. She died after i graduated she had been bit by a rattlesnake

We also had another dog JoJo who ate everything. playdough, There were many multi colored piles to clean
up. One time she had gotten into a diaper, chewed it up and ate the wet wipes. Well she went and did her business and here she is standing in the back yard with a wet wipe sticking out of her rear, that was not fun to remove. But they never acted sick or anything as happy as could be. Maybe I had weird dogs.

As far as the investigation into the cat crime. I got a box from my Mom this week with a bunch of baby stuff in it and in the bottom was the chocolate bar. I took most of the stuff out of the box but it was on the dining room table. I think the kitties and the dog collaborated and knocked it to the ground ... not sure what the kitties got out of it since the dog is fine!!