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A loyal and affectionate dog is worth its weight in gold. Dog owners would not only ensure the health of the pet but its comfort as well. An uninformed dog owner though that has well meaning intentions can unintentionally put the life of the pet at risk. Dogs are well loved pets - even considered as pseudo people thus it would not be uncommon for pet parents to allow the dog to eat human foods. One of these foods is chocolates.

The pet of a chocolate lover would develop a taste for this food too as a piece of chocolate will be tossed to the pet every time the owner eats. Chocolates must never be given to dogs because it contain the substance Theobromine which is poisonous to dogs. Dogs do not have the enzyme necessary to metabolize Theobromine. High levels of this chemical would cause poisoning. Abdominal pain is usually the first sign of poisoning. Chocolate poisoning will have the dog vomiting bits of chocolates. The vomit can also be bloody and would have a chocolaty smell. Dogs poisoned by chocolates would have a wobbling gait as this human food has an intoxicating effect in dogs. Excessive salivation and bluish gums are other signs of poisoning. Dogs that convulse can die.

Poisoning of any kind needs urgent treatment but urgent treatment would be doubly necessary in chocolate poisoning because Theobromine has no specific antidote. Treatment is imperative more so if the dog is already seizing. About 50% of dogs poisoned by chocolates die if no immediate treatment is given. What must be done to help a dog that eats chocolate?

If the kind and the quantity of chocolate ingested by the dog are unknown and the pet is not yet vomiting, the usual first aid method is to make the dog vomit. Apomorphine, hydrogen peroxide, Syrup of Ipecac or in a pinch, table salt dissolved in water can be used to induce the pet to vomit. If the dog is already vomiting, anti vomiting drugs must be administered.

After the vomiting of the dog is controlled, intestinal absorbent like activated charcoal can be safely given. Activated charcoal will prevent the toxic substances from being absorbed by the intestines. Poisoned dogs that show neurological signs must be given anticonvulsants. Intravenous medications, oxygen therapy, fluid therapy are some of the usual treatment methods given to dog poisoned by chocolates.

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