Chocolate Poisoning cont'd

Chocolate Poisoning Dog Signs And Symptoms

Signs and symptoms may display as stomach upset, gastric lining irritation, vomiting or diarrhea, gastro-intestinal bleeding, restlessness and severe aggravation, dilation or enlargement of cardiac blood vessels, seizures, and possibly even death.

Act Fast to Save Your Canines Life

If you are a short distance from the vet or pet hospital, phone ahead and notify them of what happened. Follow their instructions exactly.

If you live out of town, keep a good first aid kit handy. It should include Syrup of Ipecac and activated charcoal. Two life-savers easily and inexpensively obtained from your local pharmacy. Both are sold as non-prescription medicines.

Write Down Their Instructions

Get instructions from your vet, pet hospital, or an animal poison control center on how to use ipecac or activated charcoal before an emergency arises.

These experts know the amount of each ingredient to administer for your dogs size and weight and they will clearly explain the rational of use. Please, write their instructions down and keep them in your canine first aid kit.

Syrup of Ipecac -- Activated Charcoal

Syrup of ipecac induces vomiting. The idea is to get the poison up and out of your dogs stomach. Activated charcoal is extremely porous and has the ability to bind with Theobromine and reduce the absorption of the poison.

Promptly Take Your Pet to the Vet

In any serious canine first aid emergency, always promptly take your pet to the vet. The effects of poisoning can temporary get worst, before first aid measures kick in and cause them to recede.

For further information please call the National Animal Poison Control Center  at
1 (800) 548-2423. It is housed at the University of Illinois and is non-profit.

Hopefully your dog will never suffer from chocolate or theobromine poisoning.

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