Caffeine poisoning is not as common as chocolate poisoning but it is still seen occasionally
Caffeine is present in * :
coffee
instant 65mg/cup
percolated 100mg/cup
tea - 15-75mg/cup
cocoa - 10-17 mg/cup#
chocolate - 60-70mg/bar#
some cola drinks - 40-65 mg/12oz can
Lucozade 18mg/100g
Some cold treatments
Some pain killers
Caffeine stimulant tablets
Caffeine stimulant drinks (eg Red Bull)
# The main stimulant and potential toxin in chocolate and cocoa is theobromine.
If enough is eaten it can be fatal for both dogs and cats. The lethal dose of caffeine for dogs and cats is 150mg/kg body weight, and regular instant coffee contains over 60mg caffeine per teaspoon - so for a 3 kg cat 8 teaspoons of coffee would be potentially fatal, and there is NO ANTIDOTE.
Signs of poisoning that may be noticed by owners include :
Excitement
Increased breathing rate
Increased heart rate
Muscle tremors
Fits
Bleeding
Veterinarians may also detect :
Abnormal heart rhythm (called arrhythmias)
Generalised congestion |