CHOCOLATE AND CAVACHON PUPPIES : Treat for Chocolate Poisoning

Written By: Sharon Naegle

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Beware! Tis the season of all things Yummy…But NOT for your Cavachon’s tummy! What to do in case of an Emergency Chocolate overdose.

http://www.Petpoisonhelpline.com

The holidays are right around the corner, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hannakah, Christmas, and New Years! To all of our families with Cavachons, Cavaliers, and Cavapoo puppies, we wish you all, and your fur babies, a very warm and blessed season this year!

During the Holidays we celebrate with food: Candy, Chocolate, brownies, the list goes on and on. Neighbors leave treats on the doorstep, colleagues send goody baskets home, Grandma brings a pound of her “World Famous” fudge: All of these wonderful treats can lead to a horrible tragedy.

Without thinking about it, we often place goodies where our Cavapoo Puppy will stop at nothing to satisfy their sweet tooth, threatening their health and even their life. How can you avoid this tragedy from occurring in your home? Below is a list of precautions to take, signs to look for, and life saving First-Aid treatment for Chocolate Poisoning in your Cavachon Puppy. Let’s keep everyone safe this Holiday season, especially our beloved pets.

Disclaimer: I am not a licensed veterinarian. Advice given here is based on extensive research and personal experience over the past 20 years. Always Consult a veterinarian in case of emergency.

How much chocolate is poisonous to my dog?

While the occasional chocolate chip within one cookie may not be an issue, we worry about certain types of chocolate – the less sweet and the darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is to your pet.

For milk chocolate, any ingestion of more than 0.5 ounces per pound of body weight may put dogs at risk for chocolate poisoning. Ingestions of more than 0.13 ounces per pound of dark or semi-sweet chocolate may cause poisoning.

Precautions in order to avoid chocolate poisoning:

Educate family and guests of the hazards of Chocolate ingestion for dogs.

Set Rules about where candy can safely be stored, especially with your children and their Halloween haul.

Be mindful to not leave a bowl of candy out unattended on Halloween night.

Do not leave candy dishes out on table tops, counters, etc.

Designate a secure place for any baked good, neighbor gifts, etc. that may show up unexpectedly.

Secure your garbage and take it out often, especially during and after holiday social events. Believe it or not, people do throw away chocolate. (Dogs will also go after wrappers, and other products that have residual chocolate on them, presenting another possible live threatening hazard: Ingestion of non-food items with the possibility of bowl obstructions.)

Signs of Chocolate Poisoning:

Ingestions of small amounts of chocolate may cause mild vomiting and diarrhea. Larger ingestions can cause severe agitation, tachycardia (elevated heart rate), abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, seizures and collapse.

Hydrogen Peroxide: At Home First-Aid Treatment for Chocolate Poisoning

Hydrogen peroxide 3-percent solution is the recommended medication for making a dog throw up. Luckily, it is something many of us have in our medicine cabinet. It’s also a good idea to include a bottle in your dog’s travel first aid kit.

According to PetMD, hydrogen peroxide is a “topical antiseptic that is used orally as a home-administered emetic in dogs when clients cannot transport the patient to a veterinary hospital in a timely manner.” Hydrogen peroxide is an irritant to the dog’s intestinal tract and typically works within 10-15 minutes, recovering about 50 percent of the ingested contents of your dog’s stomach. The vomiting can last for up to 45 minutes, so make sure you dose your dog in a place where he will feel as comfortable as possible throwing up.

Hydrogen peroxide is generally considered safe when administered by a veterinarian. At home, however, you don’t have the luxury of veterinary expertise. Don’t make your dog throw up if he exhibits any of the following symptoms or conditions:

Already vomiting.

Severely lethargic.

Comatose.

Decreased swallowing ability.

Difficulty breathing.

Seizures or hyperactive activity.

Recent abdominal surgery or megaesophagus (a generalized enlargement of the esophagus).

Consumed corrosive agents, sharp objects, or drugs.

Steps to Take to Make a Dog Throw Up

If your dog hasn’t eaten within the last two hours, giving him a small meal can make it more likely that he will vomit. (I give a piece of white sandwich bread)

Make sure you have a 3-percent hydrogen peroxide solution. Higher concentrations are toxic and can cause serious damage.

Administer the proper amount: the suggested dosage is 1 teaspoon per 5 pounds of the dog’s body weight by mouth, with a maximum dose of 3 tablespoons for dogs who weigh more than 45 pounds. Only induce vomiting if your dog ate the substance within 2 hours.

Administer the dosage with a feeding syringe or turkey baster and squirt it from the side by pulling back his lips and squirting between his back teeth. You can also squirt from the front into the back of your dog’s tongue or mouth. (I have been successful by feeding a spoonful of vanilla ice cream, topped with hydrogen peroxide, and allowing the dog to lick the bowl clean.) If your dog doesn’t vomit within 15 minutes, you can give him a second dose.

Stay with your dog while he vomits. Do not let your dog, or other dogs in the home, eat the vomit!

Keep an eye out for complications and adverse reactions, such as vomiting for more than 45 minutes, diarrhea, lethargy, bloat or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), or gastric ulcers.

Follow up with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

(The American kennel club website was referenced for portions of these instructions.)