Chocolate toxicity

Please be very careful this Easter and make sure your pets don’t raid your chocolate stash!

The compound theobromine in chocolate is toxic to pets and the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains.

The initial clinical signs that you should look out for include:

▪ Vomiting

▪ Diarrhoea

▪ Increased thirst

▪ Increased heart rate

▪ Rapid breathing

▪ Increased body temperature

▪ Abdominal distension

▪ Tremor

▪ Seizures

The severity of symptoms will vary depending on the amount and type of chocolate ingested. Sudden death can occur in animals with pre-existing heart problem due to cardiac failure.

What should I do if my pet has eaten chocolate?

Check if your pet has eaten a toxic amount of chocolate by calling us with the information on the amount and type of chocolate consumed and observe for any symptoms listed above. Note that clinical signs can be delayed as long as several hours following ingestion. If a large quantity of chocolate is consumed, it requires immediate veterinary attention. When in doubt, contact us as soon as possible.

The earlier you treat it, the better the prognosis!