- Loki the Corgi got into a bag of Halloween candy early this fall, resulting in a trip to an animal hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.
- The dog ate 15 chocolates, which worried its owners because chocolate is poisonous to dogs
- Emergency vets at Capital Veterinary Specialists got Loki to throw up the chocolate and then shared his story on Facebook to bring attention to the toxicity of chocolate
No one wants to spend Halloween in the waiting room of an emergency animal hospital, so pet parents are recording the experience of Loki, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
On September 28, with the help of his canine brother Carson, the pooch reached into a bag of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, removing 15 candies before his pet parents found out.
When Loki’s owners discovered an empty bag of chocolates, they suspected a curious Loki was the one who made them disappear and took the dog to Capital Veterinary Specialists in Jacksonville, Florida. The animal hospital is part of the Thrive Pet Healthcare community of veterinary hospitals. Loki’s caretakers knew chocolate was poisonous to dogs, so they acted quickly.
“Loki came to our ER after ingesting a bag of Halloween Reese’s chocolate bars and wrappers. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and the wrappers can cause intestinal obstruction,” Mayra Apolo, an emergency veterinarian at Capital Veterinary Specialists in Jacksonville, Fla., tells PEOPLE . .
According to Apollo, theobromine, an alkaloid in the cocoa beans used to make chocolate, makes chocolate toxic to dogs.
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“Milk chocolate has a lower concentration of theobromine, and dark chocolate has a higher concentration of theobromine, which makes darker chocolate more toxic. Some dark chocolates can contain two substances that are even more toxic to dogs – theobromine and caffeine,” explains the veterinarian.
“Baker’s chocolate can be very toxic because of its highest concentration. Mild toxicity can result in vomiting and diarrhea, moderate toxicity can result in hyperexcitability, incoordination, and irregular heart rhythms, and severe toxicity can result in tremors, seizures, and even death.”
So when Loki arrived at the animal hospital with a stomach full of chocolate and candy wrappers, the vets got to work flushing the potentially dangerous substances out of his body. The vets induced vomiting in Loki, who regurgitated chocolate 15 without a problem. Fortunately, the sweets the Corgis ate were mostly white chocolate, the least toxic chocolate for dogs, but still a substance that is not safe for pets.
Loki at Capital Veterinary Specialists in Jacksonville, Fla., after regurgitating 15 candy bars he ate on Halloween.
Chief Veterinary Officers Jax
“Dogs metabolize chocolate differently than humans, and even if the amount ingested is not toxic, it can cause health problems such as pancreatitis, which, if left untreated, can be fatal. We also need to consider dogs that already have chronic conditions, such as gastrointestinal diseases, heart disease, history of pancreatitis and anxiety,” says Apolo.
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After getting the candy out of his system, Loki was examined and found to be hydrated and healthy, and sent home. This story could have had a much more dire outcome for the pet, especially if he had consumed a more toxic type of chocolate. To protect pets, especially before the Halloween holiday, Capital Veterinary Specialists of Jacksonville shared the dog’s story on Facebook, including a photo of Loki looking “shy” next to the candy he had to throw up. The post generated more than 8,000 interactions.
Apolo hopes pet parents will take the chocolate toxicity warning seriously since the vet is used to seeing an uptick in chocolate toxicity cases around Halloween.
“Dogs have an amazing sense of smell; they’ll find any hidden chocolate treasure. We have to consider the other toxins found in candy during Halloween. Sugar-free candies can contain xylitol, which can cause more serious problems in dogs. Don’t forget the wrappers that can cause blockage of the small intestine and lead to the need for surgery,” shares the veterinarian.
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Loki the Corgi.
Charlean Cooper
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To keep Halloween candy out of pets’ mouths and paws, Apolo recommends keeping Halloween candy hidden somewhere pets can’t reach, like a tall cabinet.
If dog owners discover that their pet has consumed chocolate, Apolo recommends that they seek help immediately. The sooner pet parents take action, the less likely their pet will suffer from the long-term effects of chocolate poisoning.
“If your dog ingests chocolate, you should contact your local veterinarian or veterinary emergency center for information on inducing vomiting and/or if additional supportive care is recommended. Another helpful resource is the Pet Poison Helpline or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for professional advice on how to approach the situation,” advises Apolo.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education