Happy Easter! This weekโs posts are going to be themed around toxins commonly seen around the Easter holiday. Todayโs path rounds are on ๐๐ก๐จ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ ๐ญ๐จ๐ฑ๐ข๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
Whatโs Easter without some ๐๐ก๐จ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐? Unfortunately for our pets, this makes this holiday quite dangerous, as chocolate can be quite toxic.
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
This toxicity primarily affects dogs, although it can also affect cats and other species.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
Chocolate contains ๐ญ๐ก๐๐จ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ and ๐๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐, which are both ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ฑ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ. These methylxanthines are what is actually toxic to your pet! After the animal eats some chocolate, the methylxanthines are quickly absorbed into the body. The toxins can increase the calcium levels within cells, and block receptors for important signalling molecules. Signs of toxicity can occur with as little as 20mg of methylxanthine per kg of body weight, so keeping your pet away from chocolate is important!
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ?
Ultimately, the main effect of methylxanthines is stimulation of the nervous system, which can result in ๐๐ญ๐๐ฑ๐ข๐ (wobbly gait), seizures, tremors, and hyperactivity. It can also cause ๐ญ๐๐๐ก๐ฒ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ (fast heart rate), which may be associated with ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ก๐ฒ๐ญ๐ก๐ฆ๐ข๐๐ฌ (irregular heart beats). These heart dysfunctions may prevent adequate distribution of blood to the cells, leading to ๐๐ฒ๐๐ง๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ (lack of oxygen), ๐ก๐ฒ๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง (inadequate blood pressure) or other issues. In severe toxicities, these heart dysfunctions can lead to death.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฌ๐๐?
Diagnosis is typically made based on a history of eating chocolate, combined with the clinical signs. However, if there is no known history of chocolate exposure, diagnosis can become quite challenging!
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐?
The most important aspect of treatment is stabilizing the nervous system effects, often by giving drugs to prevent or treat seizures. If the animal has heart arrhythmias, the type of arrhythmia can be identified on an ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ to allow for specific treatment. If the animal is stable, the veterinarian may induce vomiting to remove the chocolate, or give a toxin binding medication to prevent further absorption of the toxin.
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
Gwaltney-Brant SM. Chocolate toxicosis in animals. Merck Veterinary Manual 2021.
