Halloween Chocolate Dog Poisoning

It is Halloween and veterinary clinics always have at least one case of chocolate poisoning .

The chocolate that dog's eat only gives them an upset stomach, because candy bars contain little chocolate.

But with the increasing emphasis on treats with dark chocolate, more and more poisonings are being seen, and in some case even a small amount can be serious.

That being said, for most dogs it's only a minor stomach upset. If you happen to have a pet who often has  digestive issues, then one of the things to help your pet is with a good quality probiotic supplement.

The veterinarians are seeing increasing number of dogs with chocolate toxicity as more of us are eating the  healthy dark chocolate. Your dog only needs to eat small amounts of dark chocolate to become seriously ill. To keep your pet healthy stay away from giving them any chocolate. 

Remember chocolate is not a dog food.

TOXIC PARTS of CHOCOLATE

The toxic components in chocolate are caffeine and theobromine. 

The theobromine is found in high concentrations in chocolate, and causes most of the clinical signs in dogs. Theobromine affects your dog’s intestinal system, nervous system (brain), cardiovascular system (heart and lungs), and the kidneys.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs depend on the amount of chocolate eaten, the type of chocolate, and the time since it was ingested. The most common sign after your dogs eat chocolate are gastro-intestinal.Stomach upset, bloating, vomiting and diarrhea. Often you may see hyperactivity, restlessness, elevated heart rate and increased drinking and urinating. The most serious signs are when the nervous system is affected; these may show up as tremors, seizures, increased breathing rate, high body temperature ( hyperthermia) and coma.

TOXIC DOSES

The toxic and potentially fatal dose of chocolate is 60mg/kg- so a 5kg dog only needs to consume 300mg of chocolate. Clinical Signs can be seen as low as 20mg/kg- meaning a small 5kg dog only needs to consume 100mg to have problems. Severe signs are seen at 40mg/kg- or consuming 200mg of chocolate for a 5kg  dog.

Let’s look at how much theobromine is in certain types of chocolate, then we can best know if you need to be concerned about chocolate poisoning in your dog if he has eaten some. A 5oz milk chocolate bar contains 250mg of theobromine, a dark chocolate bar contains 600 mg. Unsweetened baking chocolate contains 400mg theobromine per square, Semisweet chocolate chips (30 chips), 250mg. Dry cocoa powder contains 700 mg of theobromine per ounce.

A poodle weighing 5 kg can be fatally poisoned by as little as one milk chocolate bar containing 250mg of theobromine. A 75lb larger breed dog, such as a Golden Retriever, would need to eat to eat 8 milk chocolate bars to become seriously ill. On the other hand, the dark chocolate and bakers chocolate are far more toxic; the 75lb Golden only needs to consume 3 of the dark chocolate bars to be seriously poisoned.

What Should You Do 

If your dog eats any amount of chocolate, the first thing is to figure out how much has been consumed. Then based on the type of chocolate, determine if your pet has eaten a potentially toxic amount. If the dose of chocolate is 20mg per kg of theobromine or higher, you should be seeing your veterinarian and inducing vomiting, or doing this at home. So this means that if your 5kg poodle eats a milk chocolate bar, then induce vomiting as he has eaten more than 200mg of theobromine. I have calculated this dose by multiplying the poodle’s weight of 5kg times the toxic dose amount of 20mg/kg giving a level of 200mg.

INDUCE VOMITING

The method I prefer to induce vomiting is by giving hydrogen peroxide at 1 teaspoon per 5kg  of body weight. If your pet doesn’t vomit in 10 minutes, repeat again. I advise to never do more than 2 treatments of peroxide. If you are unable to induce vomiting, if your dog is showing any serious signs such as tremors, seizures, excessive vomiting, diarrhea, or you are at all unsure please see your veterinarian.

IF it's just an UPSET STOMACH

Here are a few options to consider for the vomiting:

A CUP OF TEA. Peppermint Tea is an old remedy used for upset stomachs in people. Brew up a strong cup of tea, but allow it to cool before offering it. Give your dog 1/4 cup per 5 kg of body weight three times daily, give your cat 1 tablespoon three times daily.

Written by Imrana Sljivo DVM🐾

Parasites (Worms ) in Cats

 You Just Got a Cat What You Should  do First ?

Many of you when got a cat don’t really know what to do first .Should you vaccinate them or give them anti parasitic medications .💊 

The first and most important thing is to get rid off the endoparasites and ectoparasites .They can be very harmful and also many of them are zoonoses , which means they are harmful for humans too.

If you notice that your cat has pale gums, is having trouble breathing or vomiting or not eating .You should get them to the Vet.

Types of Worms in Cats

The most common types of worms in cats are gastrointestinal worms. They include:

Roundworms are the most common type of intestinal worm in cats, specifically in kittens. Roundworms are 3 to 6 inches long, cream-colored, and resemble spaghetti when found in the stool.

Hookworms are tiny, thin, white worms. They are so small ,most people do not notice them on the cat’s stool. If you do see them, they look like tiny, thin strings. Hookworms get their name from their hook-like mouthparts and aggressive bloodsucking behavior,they attach themselves to the lining of the intestines and suck blood.

Whipworms are 2 to 3 inches in length with one thicker end and one thinner end, resembling a whip, hence their name. Whipworms are not easily seen in the stool and are diagnosed only under a microscope.

Tapeworms occur when a kitten or cat eats a flea while grooming or eats a rodent infected with tapeworm eggs. Tapeworms look like grains of rice and are found around the anus or in a cat’s stool.

Other worms in cats 

• Hartworms
• Lungworms 
• Bladderworms
• Liver Flukes

Symptoms of Worms in Cats

Symptoms of worms in cats may vary. You can usually determine the type of worm based on your cat’s symptoms:

• Diarrhea or loose stool you may see worms in the stool
• Vomiting (worms may be seen in the vomit)
• Distended abdomen
• Weight loss thin body condition 
• General unhealthy appearance dull hair 
• Pale gums (hookworms only)
• Trouble breathing and Coughing can be seen if worms migrate to the lungs (hookworms, roundworms)

How Cat get Infected with Worms 

Most kittens are infected with worms while nursing their mother, when they ingest tiny worm larvae directly from their mother’s milk. 

Worms in cats typically occur when worm eggs are ingested. This can happen when a cat licks their fur after exposure to a contaminated environment or when they eat an animal infected with the worm or its eggs.

Hookworm larvae can penetrate directly into the skin between the toes, causing skin infections.

Treatment of Worms in Cats

Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms are treatable with oral and topical medications, and sometimes injectable formulations, prescribed by your veterinarian.

Some worms in cats are killed with a single treatment. Other worms require multiple dosages of a medication given on a strict schedule over a certain period.

It’s important to carefully follow the directions provided by your vet !

How often should you give anti parasitics to Your  Cat?

Kitten Deworming  Schedule :

Start deworming a kitten between 4-6 weeks old

Then again at 8 weeks old

And again at 12 weeks old

Deworm every 4 weeks until 6 months old

And after every 1-3 months depending on lifestyle

To ensure your feline friend is healthy, you’ll need to clean (deworm) them regularly .

Do Indoor Cats Need Deworming?

All cats need consistent deworming no matter where they live.

Fleas — potential tapeworms carriers — can enter homes by riding on clothing, people, or other pets. When indoor cats groom themselves, tapeworm transmission can occur by accidentally ingesting an infected flea. Similarly, mosquitos can easily enter homes through screen doors and windows, where they can then bite pets and transmit hartworms.

How to Deworm (clean) a Cat

Go to the vet .They’ll be the best source of information about the dosage of dewormer ,how to give it to your and on what timeline.

 

What to Expect After Deworming a Cat

Anti-parasitic products typically take between two and four days to take effect. In some cases, a second dose is also required. The worms should be gone in-two to three weeks after giving a medication. A second deworming might be needed a few weeks later to eliminate all the worms because the medication affects life cycle stages differently.

Side effects of Cat’s Anti-parasitics 

Anti parasitic medications are quite safe and rarely have side effects when used at the correct dose. However, some cats might have diarrhea, vomiting, increased salivation, or decreased appetite. These symptoms are typically seen within 24 hours of administering the medication and should resolve on their own.

Prevention 

In veterinary medicine prevention is a key to keep your pet healthy.

Cat’s anti parasites products only treat the current infection. Prevent future infestations with a monthly preventative medications. 

Written by Imrana Sljivo DVM 🐾