Chocolate is harmful to dogs. Never give your dog chocolate. If there is chocolate in your house, keep it in a safe place where the dog cannot access it.
If you see your dog eating chocolate or suspect, they may have eaten it and you are not sure, please call the vet immediately. The vet can advise you what to do.
It is important to know both the amount and type of chocolate eaten. Keep the chocolate wrapper as the information can be helpful to the vet.
The substance in chocolate that is harmful is Theobromine. It can cause your dog to experience vomiting, diarrhoea, excitability, excessive thirst and urination. It can also cause more severe signs such as seizures and changes to the heart rate, which can sometimes be fatal.
Usually the dog shows these signs within 4 hours of eating the chocolate, but it can take up to 24 hours and the signs can last a few days.
The vet will advise you what to do when you call them. Sometimes the dog may be given an injection to make it vomit up the chocolate to prevent it causing further problems to the dog.
Sometimes the dog may need to stay in the hospital for more supportive treatment.
So call us at Village Vets as you can. The sooner we know, the sooner we can help
