Pet of the Month: Jack
Jack came in to see us at Drovers Vet hospital as he had chronic diarrhoea that just was not responding to numerous previous treatments at his regular vet. Clinical examination was normal and tests were run to try and determine the cause of his diarrhoea. An abdominal ultrasound was scheduled which showed severe thickening of his small and large intestinal walls as well as enlargement of his lymph glands which drain the intestinal tract.
One of the most common cause of these findings in young dogs is IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome) – a condition which causes inflammation of the intestines which ultimately causes chronic diarrhoea. Surgery was scheduled to obtain biopsies of the intestines as well as the lymph glands and these were sent to a laboratory for histopathology examination. The pathologist is able to look very closely at these biopsies under a microscope and give us information right down to what cell type is causing the inflammation.
Jack’s diagnosis came back as Inflammatory Bowel disease with his lymph glands purely reactive to the inflammation. During his time visiting us, Jack also managed to steal many hearts with his bundle of enthusiasm and tail wagging happiness no matter what his situation was. There certainly aren’t too many patients who come to the vet gloriously happy to be there – but Jack was certainly one of them! It certainly is fantastic to be able to have all the equipment, resources and expertise available in one place to be able to assess, diagnose and help Jack. Having advanced ultrasound and surgical expertise available to be able to act quickly on results and ultimately arrive at a diagnosis quickly, meant that Jack could start treatment as soon as possible.
We placed Jack on treatment that would not only help his diarrhoea, but that would also reduce the inflammation in his intestines. Treatment for this condition is ongoing and uses many approaches including diet and medical drugs. Most cases respond well to treatment and there are different levels of treatment should response not be optimal. Jack, so far, has responded well and we hope he continues to improve and we also hope he continues to bring absolute joy and happiness into our hospital each time he walks through the door.
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Although chocolate may be one of your favourite treats, never feed chocolate to your pet. It is poisonous for them! It contains substances called theobromine and caffeine (methylxanthine alkaloids) which are also contained in coffee, tea and some over-the-counter stimulants.
Chocolate poisoning is most commonly seen in dogs because of their habit to ingest food rapidly and they often have a “sweet tooth”. We see a higher incidence in puppies and young dogs, probably because they tend to ingest large amounts of unusual foods.
Chocolate poisoning can also affect cats, birds, rodents and reptiles however we see these cases much less frequently.
Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning
The toxins in chocolate can affect you pet’s digestive system, nervous system and cardiovascular system.
Digestive system
- Vomiting & diarrhoea (2-4 hours after ingestion)
Nervous System
- Excitation/restlessness (increased body temperature, alertness)
- Muscle rigidity & tremors
- Seizures
Cardiovascular
- Increased respiratory rate
- Increased heart rate
- Reduced blood pressure (hypotension)
- Progresses to cardiac failure leading to weakness, coma and death can occur within 12-36 hours after ingestion.
The toxins are found in the highest concentration in cooking chocolate and dark chocolate, and there are lesser amounts in milk chocolate. There is almost no toxins are found in white chocolate.
Diagnosis
Chocolate poisoning can look similar to many poisonings or other conditions. Serious poisonings such as that caused by strychnine, amphetamines, pesticides, and some rodenticides can cause similar signs.
If you know your pet has eaten chocolate, contact us immediately, especially if your pet is showing any of the symptoms above. If possible, bring any vomit to the clinic as well, since this may aid in rapid identification of the toxic substance. Your veterinarian will need to examine your dog's nervous system and cardiac function carefully. He/she may want to run some blood tests to check for blood sugar levels and rule out other diseases. Since this poisoning progresses rapidly, signs may need to be treated symptomatically until a laboratory diagnosis is confirmed.
Treatment
There is no antidote for chocolate poisoning. Your veterinarian may use drugs to induce vomiting if the chocolate was consumed within the previous 2 - 4 hours or they may even need to administer a general anaesthetic in order to pass a tube into the stomach to wash
Once the chocolate is out activated charcoal treatment may be given to prevent any toxins remaining from being absorbed.
Pets that show more severe symptoms may need more specific medications in order to control the seizures and to prevent heart failure.
The expected course of chocolate poisoning is 12 to 36 hours depending on the dosage and effectiveness of treatment. Prognosis is good if the chocolate is removed within 2 to 4 hours of ingestion. Prognosis is guarded in animals with advanced signs such as seizures and serious heart dysfunction. So, please remember to keep your chocolates, cakes and chocolate-coated goodies safely away from your pets. Stick to healthy treats if you want to reward your special furry or feathered friend.
Have more questions?
Our state-of-the-art facility offers separate consultation rooms for dogs and cats, a fully equipped in-house laboratory, and specialised suites for surgery and dental care. For those tender moments, our uniquely designed Grief.
