So just how toxic is Chocolate?

[BarbV]

Oh no.... Bouncy Shelties X 2
I just read all this now....So thankful that they are alright
Treesa sends licks and stink eye looks..Boys don't do that again!!

I think both boys have got cabin fever. I need to get both of them out of a good long run! I think that's why they are both getting into mischief!

 

[GChiu]

I'm responding a bit too late, but administrating a peroxide solution is very easy. I've done it a few times and my hubby has successfully done it too while I instructed him over the phone. I know you're thinking why do I have so much chocolate around the house... I don't. Indie is very very clever at getting into places... (take a look at my previous posts ).

I put Indie in the bathtub, open his mouth a bit and give him all of the diluted solution (there's a recipe that I found in the forums. Think it was 1 tbsp peroxide: 1 tbsp water) from his water dish. I rub his tummy and within 10 mins or so he vomits up. I still do this even after coming home from work in the evening. I'd have no idea if he'd be in the chocolate at 9 am or 5 pm.

 

[SheltieAgility]

I personally wouldn't induce vomiting unless under guidance of a vet. I would be concerned about aspiration pneumonia. Obviously there are times when the risk outweighs. I had a dog inhale a package of sugarless gum and rushed him to an emergency vet to induce vomiting instead of doing it myself. Yes, cost me $1,500...but well worth it.

I worked for a vet when we had a client come in that had gotten into some baker's chocolate and the owner was unsure how much he ate. The vet induced vomiting and placed the dog on fluids to flush him out. The dog not only ended up with aspiration pneumonia, he 48 hours later, started seizuring and developed CHF, and passed away. Since it was not a previous client, the vet was unsure if CHF was a pre-existing condition that being on fluids made worse or what. Very sad.

Long story short, would be best to speak with a vet before inducing vomiting to be sure everyone is on the same page. General rule of thumb is you can give 5mL per 10lbs and do so two times.

 

[HolisticFurMom]

I personally wouldn't induce vomiting unless under guidance of a vet. I would be concerned about aspiration pneumonia. Obviously there are times when the risk outweighs. I had a dog inhale a package of sugarless gum and rushed him to an emergency vet to induce vomiting instead of doing it myself. Yes, cost me $1,500...but well worth it.

No, it really isn't well worth it. It's insanely foolish. In fact, this might be the silliest thing I've ever read. Have you ever had a sick dog and a vet recommend Pedialite? Well, I have. And guess what? The same toxic ingredient in that drink is what they claim will hurt your pup from the gum. It's rubbish. I have had animals I foster get into my purse and eat my gum, little ones about 12lbs, and guess what? NOTHING HAPPENED. Sure, there's always a chance any animal can have a bad reaction to something, no doubt. But Zylitol isn't dangerous to the majority of pets and I see people frequently recommending Pedialite on this board alone.

Maybe you have $1,500 to spend (you did get ripped off though because I had my dog's stomach pumped once and it was at an ER vet and only $200!) but most people don't and it's perfectly save to give peroxide. Just because you know ONE case where ONE animal had something negative happened doesn't mean you can use that to justify never doing it. For your ONE case hundreds have been given it and been just fine.

Sorry but I had to say something because telling people to spend $1500 when they could save themselves a TON of money is foolish. with that, don't ever spend $1500 on stomach pumping either, that is a complete scam.

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

(you did get ripped off though because I had my dog's stomach pumped once and it was at an ER vet and only $200!)

I was thinking the same thing. When my dog got into chocolate covered coffee beans, and was symptomatic, the charcoal/fluids/antacid route was only $250. Of course they wanted to keep him overnight, but I declined. We were in and out in under an hour.

 

[SheltieAgility]

When did I say people should spend $1,500 on vet bills? I was talking about a situation I personally encountered and that despite the bill, I felt more secure in taking that route than induce vomiting and wait and see when something could be life threatening for my dog. More info on that situation...

My dog is an epileptic and a drop in blood sugar levels could bring on seizures, I was not taking any chances that he could have an adverse reaction to xylitol. I 1st called poison control and was told for his size (60lbs) 10 pieces of gum could be deadly, could cause liver damage or lead to hypoglycemia. His blood sugar was considered on the lower end of normal, and because this happened on a Sunday evening and had to take him to an emergency vet, I personally did not feel comfortable bringing him home to hope and pray he didn't get worse or die over night, even though my bill would've been around $300 for just induced vomiting.

I have seen a couple of episodes of aspiration pneumonia due to inhaled perioxide or charcoal that led to the death of the dog, one such case was after the dog ate bakers chocolate. It is awful to watch. I'm not saying I will never give perioxide to my dogs-I have and I consulted with my vet before doing so just in case something went wrong.

 

[Kelly]

Xylitol is toxic!

But Zylitol isn't dangerous to the majority of pets and I see people frequently recommending Pedialite on this board alone.

I didn't think you were a licensed vet HolisticFurMom? You should not be giving any veterinary advice here and all members should not take anyone's writing here as gospel. Please consult your vet and ASK them about xylitol. Vets don't always know when it is used in human products and may not know Pedialite contains the ingredient!

Concerning xylitol, please read this article (written BY A VETERINARIAN) for more information and consult your personal vet any time your dog may have ingested the ingredient:
http://sheltienation.com/2011/02/dog-toxic-xylitol-in-gums-mints-desserts-and-now-drugs.html

Armchair veterinary advice can be very dangerous to the health of your dog. PLEASE talk to you vet instead of acting on advice from any member of this board. Gather information and then talk to them.

 

[Lightplum]

I didn't think you were a licensed vet HolisticFurMom? You should not be giving any veterinary advice here and all members should not take anyone's writing here as gospel. Please consult your vet and ASK them about xylitol. Vets don't always know when it is used in human products and may not know Pedialite contains the ingredient!

Concerning xylitol, please read this article (written BY A VETERINARIAN) for more information and consult your personal vet any time your dog may have ingested the ingredient:
http://sheltienation.com/2011/02/dog-toxic-xylitol-in-gums-mints-desserts-and-now-drugs.html

Armchair veterinary advice can be very dangerous to the health of your dog. PLEASE talk to you vet instead of acting on advice from any member of this board. Gather information and then talk to them.

Kelly I can not find where it is in Pedialyte...can you confirm this somewhere or point me to where it is?? This is from the back of the label of the one many breeders use on preemie/fading puppies (we use the unflavored which ive recommended as opposed to the flavored which I believe does have the xyitol in it). http://pedialyte.com/products/liters

 

[melbell]

Chocolate honestly depends on the dog. We had a 12 yr old sheltie who was perfectly healthy (even entered in Agility for an upcoming trial) and all the sudden had a liver failure. The vet, as well as my mother, are thoroughly convinced it was because of chocolate.

 

[Kelly]

Kelly I can not find where it is in Pedialyte...can you confirm this somewhere or point me to where it is?? This is from the back of the label of the one many breeders use on preemie/fading puppies (we use the unflavored which ive recommended as opposed to the flavored which I believe does have the xyitol in it). http://pedialyte.com/products/liters

HolisticFurMom said that Pedialyte has xylitol and I've not double checked to see if it is true. It would not surprise me that some flavors/types might have it, while others might not.

I think that is what makes xylitol so scary. It is important to read every label.