Chocolates: How Toxic Can They Be For Your Dog? By David P Lee

Very few would say they don't love chocolates. Did you know that chocolate can be harmful to your pet dog? Chocolate can be toxic, but exactly how much chocolate must be ingested before an adverse reaction takes place?

Theobromine: The Offending Substance

A substance called theobromine is what makes chocolate a dangerous food to dogs. Theobromine is a xanthine compound that belongs to the same family that caffeine and theophylline do.

If your dog accidentally ingests chocolate, his reaction will depend on the size of your dog, your dog's sensitivity, and how much theobromine is present in the chocolate. Typically, your dog will become quite ill if it ingests too much chocolate.

Concentration of Theobromine in Chocolate Allowable

- 1 oz. milk chocolate for every 1 lb of a dog's weight
- 1 oz. semi-sweet chocolate for every 3 lbs of a dog's weight
- 1 oz. Baker's chocolate for every 9 lbs of a dog's weight

Based on these figures, a 2 oz. serving of Baker’s chocolate poses a risk of adverse reaction to a 15-lb. dog, while 2 oz. of milk chocolate may only result in mild digestive symptoms in the same animal.

Signs of Chocolate Poisoning

Xanthine compounds like theobromine target the peripheral nerves, central nervous system, and cardiovascular system. Theobromine, like caffeine, is a diuretic so if your dog ingests excessive amounts of chocolate high in theobromine concentration, your dog will be vomiting, having diarrhea, and urinating frequently in large amounts. Your dog will also be too excitable and irritable. His heart rate will be high and he will experience muscle tremors.

Treatment for Chocolate Poisoning

There is no known antidote to theobromine or xanthine poisoning in dogs. However, there are a number of ways to arrest or lessen their adverse effects both immediately and for the longer haul. Activated charcoal may be administered to inhibit the absorption of the offending substance, and anticonvulsants may be given to control neurological symptoms. Oxygen therapy, intravenous medications, drinking water and other fluids may be prescribed by the veterinarian to protect the dog’s heart.

If your dog ingests milk chocolate, he may have diarrhea, which can last from 12 to 24 hours. Make sure that your dog is given lots of water and other liquids so that he doesn't become dehydrated. If your dog ingests chocolate and displays any of the symptoms of chocolate poisoning, call the veterinarian right away. He will be able to prescribe the best treatment for your dog.

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Gingivitis In Cats By David P Lee

A chronic condition occurring in cats that causes extreme gingivitis and tooth loss is Plasmacytic-Lymphocytic Stomatitis. This disease is usually is a result of another disease. It has been found in cats with Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency. The symptoms are salivating excessively, trouble eating, and a really foul odor in their mouth. Naturally this soreness in their mouth causes them not to eat and they lose weight rapidly.

Severe gingivitis around the back upper molars is found upon examining the mouth, and the gums will appear raw, red and easy to bleed. Untreated, the gums will recede as the tooth root becomes absorbed, thereby causing tooth loss or breakage. Lymphocytes and plasma cells are found in biopsies of such areas, this gives the disease its name. Bacterial infections have a higher than normal breeding ground with the inflammation of tissue. Whenever there is a chronic inflammation and results in secondary infections, these cells are present and can lead to a bacterial infection in the blood stream. Other organs, such as the liver, kidneys and heart can be affected, by such an infection.

Essential to beginning any treatment, a careful cleaning under anesthesia, while cleaning below the gum line with a long acting good quality disinfectant gel is vital. Temporary relief while keeping bacterial infection from worsening the gums is provided by the use of antibiotics. Although, this is not long-term answer, a variety of treatments has been tested such as anti-inflammatory therapy with cortisone and immunostimulants such as immunoregulin.

The only long term treatment that seems to relieve the symptoms and get the cat back to good health is removing the premolars and molars. In the meantime while trying to get the cat back to a healthy animal there are several high calorie, nutritional cat foods on the market that are soft and require very little chewing. Due to the nature of this disease cats are quite reluctant to eat as they are in severe pain. It is imperative that they get nutrition.

Sadly response to treatment for this disease is very poor. Prevention is the best way to avoid chronic gingivitis. Calicivirus seems to be a factor that contributes to this disease, so it is of the utmost importance that upper respiratory infections in the household be controlled. Kittens should receive vaccinations for this disease at 6 weeks, 9 weeks, and 12 weeks. They should be kept away from other cats and kittens until this series of vaccinations are completed. All other cats should be kept up to date on their vaccinations. Tests should be done routinely for FIV and feline leukemia. If any cat tests positive they should immediately be removed and isolated from the other cats.

In 1997, two new products became available, designed especially for preventing and controlling gingivitis and tartar. Hills, TD feature a dry food that aids in fighting the build up of tartar and plaque. Vrx pharmaceuticals, Chews feature a freeze-dried fish food that has antibacterial enzymes which offers an abrasive cleaning action while fighting gingivitis. These products are obtainable from your veterinarian. Such products are an essential key in preventing feline chronic gingivitis, thereby keeping you cat from tooth loss and keeping your cat from getting such a painful and life threatening disease.

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