Massive panic in the household last night. OH and I nipped out to pick up DS from the station, and when we got home the dogs were dancing about welcoming us back. As I walked into the kitchen I noticed Lochan slipped a little on the floor, then did it again. It was tiny but noticeable. I had a quick look at her and immediately realised something was not quite right with her, she wasn't completely sure of where her paws were. I went into the hall to find the dining room door wide open (it's always kept shut) and on the floor a cardboard box containing six solid chocolate festive wreaths. I had bought 12. The other six had been opened and eaten. One or both of the dogs had eaten 600g of solid dark chocolate. Now the toxic dose for severe toxicity in a 25kg lab would be one of these wreaths, if one of the had eaten all six then death from neurological disaster or severe heart rhythm changes was highly possible. Both dogs were bundled into the car and my OH was treated to a high speed and (he says) very scary trip into work (Subarus can go round roundabouts at 60mph without slipping honest they can....). Both dogs were then induced to vomit by apomorphine drops in the eye. Tarka vomited first, her entire dinner came up and no chocolate. Innocent of all charges. Then Lochan vomited and the most horrendous slimy mess of chocolate, kibble and saliva appeared. By this time she had muscle twitches and her heart rate went up to 280 per min (she is normally around 75) due to the absorption of some of the chocolate. She had emergency medication to slow and steady her heart, then we wanted to give her a slurry of activated charcoal to drink to reduce any further chocolate absorption. Now for every other dog I have ever seen given activated charcoal it has involved either a stomach tube or squirting it down a protesting dog using a huge syringe. Not Lochan. She is so greedy she cheerfully lapped up the entire 150ml of completely disgusting activated charcoal slurry after I put 6 pieces of puppy kibble in it. Home with more heart meds and anticonvulsants just in case, and a nervous night with Lochan on our bed being examined every hour. This morning she is absolutely fine and has been for a long run and of course stuffed her breakfast down with glee. So, fellow forummers, beware this festive season with our greedy labs just what immense harm they could come to. All I can think is that if I hadn't gone out to pick up DS I probably wouldn't have noticed anything wrong with Lochan and gone to bed with disastrous consequences.
Re: Chocolate poisoning How scary for you, glad to hear that both dogs are fine now. Must have been very worrying for you
Re: Chocolate poisoning Oh Thank goodness you came home in time......whilst it was all horrifying enough it could have been so much worse.im so glad they are both ok and that you are a vet!!you take it easy you must have got a dreadful fright x
Re: Chocolate poisoning Arggh.....that's it, chocolate banned in our house over Christmas. So glad it worked out. What a fright!
Re: Chocolate poisoning Please can I bring my dogs and come and move in with you so you are on hand in case we have a crisis??! So glad that story had the ending it did. Clare
Re: Chocolate poisoning Oh my goodness....what a terrible fright. Thank goodness you noticed and were able to treat her so quickly. Poor Lochan....glad that she's feeling better.
Re: Chocolate poisoning Oh my goodness Lochan , what a terrible experience for you all , I cant imagine the panic you must have been in , thank goodness all has ended well and that your quick actions saved your lovely dog xx
Re: Chocolate poisoning Jeez! What a fright Thank goodness you noticed all this - sounds like a lucky escape. Must admit in our house chocolate mostly is kept secured in cupboards, tins or plastic boxes (but that's because of the mice). A timely warning to us all to be extra vigilant. Soooo relieved you are ok naughty Lochan! :
Re: Chocolate poisoning Horrendous. So glad she's fine. I bet your heart rate was right up there too, you poor thing. A timely reminder indeed.
Re: Chocolate poisoning How horrible and scary for all of you. I'm glad that both dogs are doing well. They are obviously in very good hands living with a vet
Re: Chocolate poisoning Poor Tarka and Lochan I am so relieved they are both OK, hope you are OK too Speedy Gonzalez! Chocolate doesn't last long enough in our house for Hattie & Charlie to get a look in : xx
