Most of my clients are aware of the danger that chocolate can pose for their dogs and wit Halloween literally right around the corner, this is a concern. However, I don't want you all to concentrate on the goodie bag on the counter and ignore some of the other hazards that lurk in our homes for our pets.
Now, the good thing for our pets is that the bulk of the candy that we bring home next week is not mostly chocolate. While a few mini 3 Musketeer bars is likely to cause diarrhea, the delicious filling is not chocolate. Pure chocolate bars like a Hershey's bar or even kisses are more likely to get to toxic levels. In fact, a 15 pound dog that eats just two 1.55 oz bars in is the zone of potential side effects. Dogs that get this amount of chocolate can become hyperexcitable, have muscle tremors, and with increasing doses of chocolate can have seizures and even die. We had one dog get into a lethal amount of chocolate this past summer. By the time he came into the hospital, he was in such an advanced stage of toxicity, there was nothing that we could do to save him.
Chocolate cakes and brownies (we just had a dog come in for boarding that had a breakfast at home of 2 dozen brownies) is likely to cause stomach upset, but unless you are using a dark fudge icing that is more dark fudge than icing, explosive diarrhea is probably the worst of the damage. Fortunately for this owner, the mess will be ours to deal with while the cake bandit is staying with us and not hers.
While chocolate is on our minds this week, year round we see more pets that get into trouble taking their owner's medications. Last week we had a dog eat a kids ADHA medication. These medications fall into two distinct groups. The more serious problems are usually seen with the stimulant drugs such as Adderall. The dog we saw had gotten into an alpha antagonist medication and this drug is reversible with an injection that we have on hand. He got to stay with us for the day on IV fluids but was able to go home that evening to sleep it off.
Another big problem is with ibuprofen. Especially the name brand Advil is sugar coated and it seems that dogs can't resist. Time and time again I have had owners tell me that the pill bounced on the floor once and the dog had it swallowed before the owner could do anything at all.Generics are not any safer and although not sugar coated, are extremely toxic to the kidneys and stomach lining.
And then there are cats. While less likely to ingest pills off of the floor (way to discriminating for that), they are often poisoned by well meaning owners that give them human medicine. Remember, a single extra strength tylenol will kill your cat. Ibuprofen is right up there as well. Children's cold medicines are dangerous for cats. Do not medicate your cat without consulting with your veterinarian.
If you think your pet has gotten too much chocolate or any amount of your family's medications. Call your veterinarian. Or, call poison control at 1 888 426-4435. This hot line is run by the ASPCA and they will get you the information that you need. You will have to tell them what your pet ate, how much and how long ago to get any useful help. Time is off the essence in the case of a suspected poisoning. Do not delay.
So, even though it is Halloween, I didn't intend to scare you, just give you some information. Go out with your goblins and enjoy the American tradition of begging for candy while dressed up as your favorite ghoul.
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