Oliver got hold of some chocolate.. how worried should I be?

[jenn1381]

I feel like such a bad mommy!

Today was the first day that Oliver had to be alone all day... I came home for lunch though to let him out. Today was secretaries day (although I am not a secretary, I work for the Health Unit and there they celebrate their program assistants and data management assistants - of which I've been both) and I got a bottle of wine and 2 chocolates. I was in a hurry getting out the door to get back to work, and I left the wine and chocolates on our bench in the foyer, not thinking. He left the wine alone, but I came home to find the wrappers of the chocolates on the floor, empty and shredded. They were about the size of the Lindor balls, and I don't know what was inside them, I never had a chance to look. Oliver is 9.6 pounds. He is fine at the moment, he is playing with a treat ball I just got him (he loves it!) but I am concerned... What signs and symptoms should I look for? Should I call my vet just to be safe? He ingested it like 5 hours ago so it's too late to do anything about bringing it back up..

Any advice is greatly appreciated... I learned a valuable lesson today...

[Nancy1999]

I'd call my vet, and give him the exact kind and weight of the chocolate. The chocolate doesn't always cause stomach problems it can cause nerve problems, that won't be seen for three days. It's much worse if it was dark chocolate. Using a dose of 100 mg/kg as the toxic dose it comes out roughly as:
1 ounce per 1 pound of body weight for Milk chocolate
1 ounce per 3 pounds of body weight for Semisweet chocolate
1 ounce per 9 pounds of body weight for Baker's chocolate.

Dogs and Chocolate Toxicity

[bchgirl]

Dogs digestive tracts work much more quickly than our own...after 5 hours...that chocolate has already been through his digestive tract.

[TrevorForever]

I think you should call the vet......my friends doxy ate a reeses peanut butter cup and ended up with pancreatitis

[dogbert]

Some dogs will throw up first and you'll know it's chocolate.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

Dogs digestive tracts work much more quickly than our own...after 5 hours...that chocolate has already been through his digestive tract.

Not to argue with you dear, but I've read this same thing on numerous sites:

There is no specific antidote for this poisoning. And the half life of the toxin is 17.5 hours in dogs. Induce vomiting in the first 1-2 hours if the quantity is unknown. Administering activated charcoal may inhibit absorption of the toxin. An anticonvulsant might be indicated if neurological signs are present and needs to be controlled. Oxygen therapy, intravenous medications, and fluids might be needed to protect the heart.

Milk chocolate will often cause diarrhea 12-24 hours after ingestion. This should be treated symptomatically (fluids, etc..) to prevent dehydration.

If you suspect your pet has ingested chocolate contact your Vet immediately! They can help you determine the the proper treatment for your pet.

I realize it's too late to induce vomiting, but I thought something could be done at this time.

[dogbert]

They gave charcoal where I worked too. Sadly it was one of my dogs they had to give it too. I bought a dress and a candy bar, got home tried on the dress didn't like it ran it back to the store leaving the candy bar in the bag on my bed. Came home and our Bichon was under the kitchen table eating the last of the candy bar. She spent her first Thanksgiving at the animal hospital over a candy bar.

[chrisrg93]

I suggest you call your vet immediately. The fat content in chocolate causes dogs to have diarrhea and vomiting. The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains, which is an ingredient that restricts blood flow to the brain, increases blood pressure and heart rate, and it can possibly lead to a heart attack or stroke.

[jenn1381]

I called my vet and he said that because it was a pretty small amount and because Ollie is larger than most Yorkies that I should just keep a close eye on him. He is acting fine so that's a good sign but he didn't guarantee that nothing would happen down the road. I feel sick about the whole thing, it's been so long since I've had a dog that I never even thought about leaving it where he could get it. Freeway never would have gone through that much trouble for anything like that, so it never even crossed my mind...

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by jenn1381

I called my vet and he said that because it was a pretty small amount and because Ollie is larger than most Yorkies that I should just keep a close eye on him. He is acting fine so that's a good sign but he didn't guarantee that nothing would happen down the road. I feel sick about the whole thing, it's been so long since I've had a dog that I never even thought about leaving it where he could get it. Freeway never would have gone through that much trouble for anything like that, so it never even crossed my mind...

Oh I hope he's all right, I can't tell you how many stupid mistakes I've made, and I consider myself a careful person. You never said was it dark or milk chocolate, dark is so much worse. Also, be careful with sugarless gum, that is deadly, human medications are dangerous as well, and they can pick them up and eat them faster than you can bend over. The are worse than toddlers, at times.

[jenn1381]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Oh I hope he's all right, I can't tell you how many stupid mistakes I've made, and I consider myself a careful person. You never said was it dark or milk chocolate, dark is so much worse. Also, be careful with sugarless gum, that is deadly, human medications are dangerous as well, and they can pick them up and eat them faster than you can bend over. The are worse than toddlers, at times.

I am 99% sure it was milk chocolate. I didn't get the chance to take a close look at what it was, it was just in a baggy tied to my bottle of wine. I think just the outside shell was chocolate too and it was filled with some kind of coconut filling, at least on one of them. Can't help but feel pretty bad about it, he hasn't even been with me a month and I've already put his life in danger. At the first sign of vomitting or diarrhea I am supposed to take him in, so it's going to be a long few days watching, hoping, praying, and definitely not sleeping. Luckily someone will be home with him over the next few days while I am at work...

[QuickSilver]

Try not to feel too bad about it. Accidents happen, and you're taking the necessary precautions. It's good to be careful, but lots of dogs eat chocolate and are fine afterwards. I think Oliver will be too. Just keep an eye on him, which of course you will be.

[BLowry]

A member on here that I have become friends with, has 2 little girls. One of them got into some chocolate...only a bit of a hershey candy bar...she got very sick....just to be safe I would call your vet

[jenn1381]

So far, so good. Oliver slept well, although a tad restless, though that is normal after being alone all day and not getting as long a walk as usual. He got up, went outside, ate breakfast (most of it) and is now tearing up a leaf that he brought inside (lol) and pushing his treat ball around (and crying because it's empty). He is acting completely normal so far. I have to leave for work soon, really don't want to leave him, but someone will be home. Please pray he continues to show no signs of sickness... This is very scary for me, despite the fact that he so far is doing ok. I know that can change in a matter of minutes.

[BLowry]

If nothing has happened by now it probably won't. If it were me...I'd probably still call the vet just to let him know what happened and that he seems fine. Just for YOUR piece of mind...Glad to hear he is doing ok....