Dog owners are being warned about the dangers of eating chocolate ahead of Easter this weekend.
Just one small chocolate egg or six Cadbury mini eggs could be enough to harm your dog this Easter weekend, a vet has shared.
It is estimated that as a nation, we purchase between 80 and 90 million Easter eggs each year.
Easter chocolate is the ultimate treat for humans, but this brown stuff is actually incredibly toxic to our crazy friends. This means that every Easter, thousands of dogs accidentally eat one or more chocolate eggs and require emergency veterinary treatment.
Vets Now revealed a 95% increase in cases over Easter weekend last year, and an 85% increase in chocolate-related cases compared to the previous week.
Further research by the RSPCA revealed that in the 14 days of Easter last year, the helpline received a 136% increase in calls about pets ingesting chocolate compared to other periods.
Not surprisingly, 91.5% of these cases involved dogs, followed by cats at 4.7%, rabbits at 2.2%, birds at 1.2%, and ferrets at 0.3%.
Veterinarians are now urging pet owners to keep Easter treats out of the way of paw searches, which are toxic to dogs and dangerous to cats.
To protect your dog this Easter, it's important to keep track of any chocolate brought into your home and store it safely, either in a high place out of reach or behind a closed door in a cupboard.
For those who keep up the tradition of festive chocolate egg hunts, it's important to keep dogs away during this activity and make sure all hidden chocolates are found before returning your dog to the area.
“Unfortunately, Easter has seen a significant increase in chocolate poisoning cases, which shows pet owners can never be too careful,” said Dave Lester, head of telemedicine at Bets Now. explains.
“Our advice is to always keep chocolate treats away from dogs. The prognosis for chocolate poisoning is generally good unless treated early and there is no organ damage. However, we do not recommend that pet owners avoid giving chocolate treats to their dogs. We want to help you avoid traveling.'' Going to the emergency room during Easter. ”
Why is chocolate toxic to dogs?
Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which is highly toxic to dogs and cats.
The amount of chocolate your pet ingests determines how toxic it is, and small dogs and puppies are at higher risk due to their size.
Theobromine is also found in milk chocolate, although dark chocolate and high-cocoa chocolate are usually the most dangerous.
The average chocolate Easter egg shell contains 90 to 200 grams of milk chocolate, which is enough to cause toxicity in medium and small dogs.
Dark chocolate eggs are much more risky, and as little as 90g can be toxic to large dogs weighing over 25kg. For small dogs and puppies, the amount can be life-threatening.
Cadbury's mini eggs may be a popular Easter snack, but a family-sized 270g bag is enough to poison a medium-sized (12-25kg) dog. It can also cause serious problems for small dogs weighing between 5 and 12 kg.
A standard small bag of 80g can pose a serious threat to toy breeds and puppies weighing less than 5kg, and just 6 mini eggs are enough to potentially cause toxicity.
Dogs are at higher risk because they are more likely to eat chocolate, but cats can still suffer from chocolate poisoning, so veterinarians advise avoiding chocolate in all amounts.
Signs of chocolate poisoning in pets
The first signs of chocolate poisoning to look out for are:
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restlessness
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vomiting
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diarrhea
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excessive thirst
If untreated, these clinical signs can develop into hyperactivity, tremors, abnormal heart rate, high body temperature, and rapid breathing.
“In severe cases, dogs may experience seizures and abnormal heartbeats, and in some cases, this can lead to coma and death,” Professor Lester added.
To help concerned pet owners deal with suspected chocolate poisoning, Vets Now has developed an online chocolate toxicity calculator to calculate whether your dog has eaten a potentially toxic amount .
All owners need to do is enter their dog's weight or size, the type of chocolate they've eaten, and the estimated amount.
A good tip is to look for wrapping paper or foil and guess how much has been consumed.
If you know for sure that your pet has eaten something poisonous, call your daytime veterinarian or local emergency clinic without delay.
Other Easter Pet Risks
It's not just stashes of Easter chocolate that could pose a threat to your pet this bank holiday weekend, pet owners are also advised to be wary of other traditional treats.
“Hot cross buns, onions and greasy BBQ leftovers can have a huge impact on your pet's health,” RSPCA WA chief veterinarian Mairi Joyce warned in a statement.
“Cooked bones are fragile and small pieces can get stuck in an animal's throat or stuck in the stomach lining. Surgery to remove the internal blockage is expensive, easily costing thousands of dollars. reach.
“If you have any doubts about whether your pet has eaten something it shouldn't, always contact your veterinarian immediately for advice. It's always better to be safe than sorry.”
