Death by chocolate: More dogs at risk this Christmas, warn vets
Source: Daily Mail
December 9, 2007 Author: by EMILY ANDREWS
A record number of dogs could be killed this year by their owners feeding them chocolate, vets warned yesterday.
Many pet owners do not realise that chocolate is highly toxic to dogs.
But it contains theobromine, a naturally occurring stimulant found in the cocoa bean, which affects the central nervous system as well as the heart muscle.
Last year vets around the country-made 790 emergency calls about chocolate poisoning to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service.
This year the number has already risen to 844.
Christmas is a peak time for potential poisonings because dogs steal chocolate ornaments from the tree, wolf down boxes of the treats or are fed by unsuspecting owners.
Humans, and cats, have the metabolism to cope with theobromine but dogs' digestive systems-cannot.
Symptoms include hyperactivity, agitation, breathlessness, vomiting, diarrhoea and increased urination.
The danger to the dog depends on its size and the type of chocolate.
Darker and more expensive chocolate contains higher levels of theobromine - the lethal dosage is between 250 and 500 milligrammes per kilogramme of body weight.
Serious non-fatal poisonings have, however, been reported in dogs after eating smaller amounts.
Katy Horton, a vet from Barnes in South-West London, said: "Pet owners often forget the hazardous aspects of the festive season.
"Dangers include chocolate decorations and edible presents wrapped under the tree.
"Avoid overfeeding your pet at Christmas, especially Christmas day leftovers; it is detrimental to their digestive system.
"In the past we've treated pets for chocolate poisoning; there are always more cases of this over Christmas and Easter.
"If you know your dog has eaten chocolates don't wait for the symptoms to develop. Take them to the vet immediately."
Allan Burns, head of Tesco Pet Insurance, said: "Avoid unnecessary expense and stress over Christmas by staying away from the vets; make sure you take special precautions with keeping chocolate away from your pets.
"Every year around Christmas time, Tesco pet insurance customers claim for treatments for their dogs, overdosed on chocolate."
Deaths due to theobromine have also been documented in horses.
