Okay..I'm posting this on behalf of my mother in law. She has a schnauzer who weighs approximately 20 lbs. She said that he has eaten roughly 6-8 small Hershey's dark chocolate squares. Of course I told her to call her vet, but she is refusing because they don't have the money to take him in (frustrating I know...but unfortunately that's the scenario). She won't even call them I advised her to induce vomiting immediately but is there anything else she can do for him at home? He is 5 years old and in good health. Thanks in advance!!!
Does that count as Semi-sweet, or Bakers chocolate?
She needs to induce vomiting within 2 hours.
Theobromine/ Xanthine (the bad stuff in chocolate) is a diuretic, and effects the nervous system, cardiovascular system and peripheral nerves. Watch for clinical signs of Xanthine poisoning, like excitability,
Increased heart rate, Restlessness, Increased urination, Muscle tremors, Vomiting
and Diarrhea.
She needs to figure out how many ounces that was.... Bakers chocolate is toxic at apx the rate of 1 oz to every 9lbs of dog. Semi-Sweet is 1oz to every 3lbs of dog.
Basically she needs to get the dog to a vet IMO if he ate 6-8 squares. I'm guessing an ounce a square? Scary for a 20lb dog.
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
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Quote: Olivia Brown
Okay..I'm posting this on behalf of my mother in law. She has a schnauzer who weighs approximately 20 lbs. She said that he has eaten roughly 6-8 small Hershey's dark chocolate squares. Of course I told her to call her vet, but she is refusing because they don't have the money to take him in (frustrating I know...but unfortunately that's the scenario). She won't even call them I advised her to induce vomiting immediately but is there anything else she can do for him at home? He is 5 years old and in good health. Thanks in advance!!!
Oh, boy, I'll tell you: vet NOW is my sincere advice. Not even wasting time on the phone unless it's done in the car on the way.
It varies dog to dog, but if Hershey's is similar to other dark chocolates in theobromine content, and those were one-ounce squares, then that was in the lethal dose category.
I've heard my vet give clients the same options to induce vomiting as the site Connie linked to, but she's warned against the use of Syrup of Ipicac.
To induce vomiting at home:
A 20 lb dog can have up to 3cc of hydrogen peroxide.
If she has not vomited in 10 min, it can be repeated.
DO NOT USE Syrup of Ipicac. She could start vomiting and not be able to stop w/o medication.
If she's going to induce vomiting at home, make her aware that there are severe risks of dehydration, both from the vomiting, and the theobromine.... All vets would give fluids while inducing vomiting with charcoal.
Thanks for the quick replies everyone. She just called me back and said that they got him to vomit (I advised her how to with peroxide and it worked quickly)..apparently he threw up a ton of chocolate and wrappers and is doing okay so far. I've tried to convince her to take him to the vet but they have horrible credit and no money so she's not considering that as an option. This type of situation makes my blood boil..we have cash set aside strictly for an emergency with our animals and I can't understand how pet owners don't think to prepare for an emergency like this! Anyways..hopefully the little guy will be okay. I'll update as she updates me but keep your fingers crossed for him.
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Dog ate dark chocolate...HELP
I advised her to induce vomiting immediately but is there anything else she can do for him at home? He is 5 years old and in good health. Thanks in advance!!!
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