Vet Happynings Mitch Edwards BVSC (NSW VPB: 7787) Beware the Easter Bunny! (Chocolate toxicity in pets) Most people these days know that chocolate is toxic to pets but with Easter around the corner I thought I would give you a friendly reminder to keep chocolate out of reach of pets and give some practical information. Why: Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine which in high doses are toxic to your pets How much: 7g per kg or bodyweight of dark or baking chocolate (35g for a 5kg dog or cat or 140g for a 20kg dog) 56g per kg body weight of milk chocolate (280g for a 5kg dog or cat or 1kg for a 20kg dog) 11.2kg per kg body weight of white chocolate (11 times the animal's bodyweight so unlikely!!) What will I see: signs often occur up to 12 hours after ingestion. The most common clinical signs are vomiting and diarrhoea, DagsTrust CHOCOLATE IS TOXIC TO DOGS While you enjoy your Easter eggs, make sure your dog stays safe! increased thirst, panting or restlessness, excessive urination, a racing heart rate, muscle spasms (tremors), and occasionally seizures. What can I do: If caught in the act of eating the chocolate you can induce vomiting by making up a 5ml syringe of extremely salty water and squirting it in the dogs mouth or 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide (per 15kg bodyweight) syringed into the dogs mouth. This can be repeated after 5 minutes if no effect after the first time. If you have no luck with the above home remedies, here at the vet clinic we have a drug that we can inject that will do the trick. If clinical signs have developed it is best to bring your pet into the vet clinic for treatment, there is no direct antidote, but intravenous fluids and supportive care is successful in most cases. Have a Happy Easter from everyone here at MVVS! MACLEAY VALLEY VETERINARY SERVICES 24/7 142 Belgrave Street, Kempsey and Landsborough Street, South West Rocks BOOK ONLINE VIA OUR WEBSITE All Hours Phone Contact 02 6562 7391 Kempsey Phone: 02 6562 7391 South West Rocks Phone: 02 6566 7513 Email: info@mvvs.net.au Website: www.mvvs.net.au TA5703676 Vet Happynings Mitch Edwards BVSC ( NSW VPB : 7787 ) Beware the Easter Bunny ! ( Chocolate toxicity in pets ) Most people these days know that chocolate is toxic to pets but with Easter around the corner I thought I would give you a friendly reminder to keep chocolate out of reach of pets and give some practical information . Why : Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine which in high doses are toxic to your pets How much : 7g per kg or bodyweight of dark or baking chocolate ( 35g for a 5kg dog or cat or 140g for a 20kg dog ) 56g per kg body weight of milk chocolate ( 280g for a 5kg dog or cat or 1kg for a 20kg dog ) 11.2kg per kg body weight of white chocolate ( 11 times the animal's bodyweight so unlikely !! ) What will I see : signs often occur up to 12 hours after ingestion . The most common clinical signs are vomiting and diarrhoea , DagsTrust CHOCOLATE IS TOXIC TO DOGS While you enjoy your Easter eggs , make sure your dog stays safe ! increased thirst , panting or restlessness , excessive urination , a racing heart rate , muscle spasms ( tremors ) , and occasionally seizures . What can I do : If caught in the act of eating the chocolate you can induce vomiting by making up a 5ml syringe of extremely salty water and squirting it in the dogs mouth or 1 tablespoon of 3 % hydrogen peroxide ( per 15kg bodyweight ) syringed into the dogs mouth . This can be repeated after 5 minutes if no effect after the first time . If you have no luck with the above home remedies , here at the vet clinic we have a drug that we can inject that will do the trick . If clinical signs have developed it is best to bring your pet into the vet clinic for treatment , there is no direct antidote , but intravenous fluids and supportive care is successful in most cases . Have a Happy Easter from everyone here at MVVS ! MACLEAY VALLEY VETERINARY SERVICES 24/7 142 Belgrave Street , Kempsey and Landsborough Street , South West Rocks BOOK ONLINE VIA OUR WEBSITE All Hours Phone Contact 02 6562 7391 Kempsey Phone : 02 6562 7391 South West Rocks Phone : 02 6566 7513 Email : info@mvvs.net.au Website : www.mvvs.net.au TA5703676