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| Links to the top 10: 1. Ant Baits 2. Silica Gel Packets 3. Toilet Water 4. Birth Control Pills 5. Liquid Potpourri 6. Chocolate 7. Cigarettes 8. Pennies 9. Bread Dough 10. Mothballs 11. Moldy Food |
6. Chocolate
There are a wide variety of chocolate and cocoa products to which pets may be exposed, including candies, cakes, cookies, brownies, and cocoa bean mulches.
Not surprisingly, the incidence of accidental chocolate exposures in pets occurs around holidays, especially Easter, Halloween and Christmas. The active (toxic)
agents in chocolate are methylxanthines, specifically theobromine and caffeine. Methylxanthines stimulate the CNS, act on the kidney to stimulate diuresis, and
increase the contractility of cardiac and skeletal muscle. The relative amounts of theobromine and caffeine will vary with the form of the chocolate (see table).
Cocoa beans may contain up to 255 mg theobromine per ounce of beans, although the exact amount will vary due to natural variation of the cocoa beans. The
LD50's of theobromine and caffeine are 100-300 mg/kg, but severe and life threatening clinical signs may be seen at levels far below these doses. Based on
NAPCC experience, mild signs have been seen with theobromine levels of 20 mg/kg, severe signs have been seen at 40-50 mg/kg, and seizures have occurred at
60 mg/kg. Accordingly, less than 2 ounces of milk chocolate per kg is potentially lethal to dogs.
Clinical signs occur within 6-12 hours of ingestion. Initial signs include polydypsia, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, and restlessness. Signs progress to hyperactivity,
polyuria, ataxia, tremors, seizures, tachycardia, PVC's, tachypnea, cyanosis, hypertension, hyperthermia, and coma. Death is generally due to cardiac
arrhythmias or respiratory failure. Hypokalemia may occur later in the course of the toxicosis. Because of the high fat content of many chocolate products,
pancreatitis is a potential sequela.
Management of chocolate ingestion includes decontamination via emesis followed by gastric lavage. Because methylxanthines undergo enterohepatic
recirculation, repeated doses of activated charcoal are usually of benefit in symptomatic animals (vomiting may need to be controlled with metaclopramide).
Intravenous fluids at twice maintenance levels will help maintain diuresis and enhance urinary excretion. Because caffeine can be reabsorbed from the bladder,
placement of a urinary catheter is recommended. Cardiac status should be monitored via EKG and arrhythmias treated as needed; propranolol reportedly delays
renal excretion of methylxanthines, so metoprolol is the beta-blocker of choice. Seizures may be controlled with diazepam or a barbiturate. In severe cases, clinical
signs may persist up to 72 hours.
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