mia's mom
04-26-2009, 08:37 PM
I copied this from an article I was reading very good information. I requested permission.
Toxic Foods
alcoholic beverages, avocados (leaves, seeds, skin, stem), chocolate, coffee, cola drinks, hops (used in home beer brewing), macadamia nuts, moldy foods, onions, onion powder, potato (leaves, stems, sprouted potatoes, other green parts), rhubarb leaves, salt, tea, tomato (leaves, stems, other green parts), walnuts, yeast dough
Chocolate is made from the fruit (beans) of the cacao tree. Theobromine, a component of chocolate, is the toxic compound in chocolate. (Caffeine is also present in chocolate, but in much smaller amounts than Theobromine.) Both Theobromine and Caffeine are members of a drug class called Methylxanines.
Theobromine and caffeine effects on the body:
Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant
Cardiovascular stimulant
Increase blood pressure (mild)
Nausea and vomiting
Are some chocolates more toxic than others?
Yes. Unsweetened (baker's) chocolate contains 8-10 times the amount of Theobromine as milk chocolate. Semi-sweet chocolate falls roughly in between the two for Theobromine content. White chocolate contains Theobromine, but in such small amounts that Theobromine poisoning is unlikely. Caffeine is present in chocolate, but less than Theobromine.
Quick Guide for Theobromine levels in different types of chocolate:
From The Merck Veterinary Manual, here are approximate Theobromine levels of different types of chocolate:
Dry cocoa powder = 800 mg/oz
Unsweetened (Baker's) chocolate = 450 mg/oz
Cocoa bean mulch = 255 mg/oz
semisweet chocolate and sweet dark chocolate is = 150-160 mg/oz
Milk chocolate = 44-64 mg Theobromine per oz chocolate
White chocolate contains an insignificant source of methylxanthines.
Cookies, candies with chocolate coating and ice cream contain small amounts of chocolate and usually isn’t harmful to dogs. Solid milk chocolate and bittersweet chocolate bars can be toxic, especially to smaller dogs. It is important for children to know that they should not share their chocolate candy with their dog.
Lethal Dose of Chocolate by Dog's Weight
Dog's Weight Lethal Dose of Theobromide Milk Chocolate Unsweetened Chocolate
5 lbs 200 mg 4 oz 0.5 oz
10 lbs 400 mg 8 oz 1 oz
20 lbs 900 mg 1 lb 2.5 oz
30 lbs 1300 mg 2 lbs 3.25 oz
40 lbs 1800 mg 2.5 lbs 4.5 oz
50 lbs 2250 mg 3 lbs 5.5 oz
60 lbs 2700 mg 4 lbs 7 oz
70 lbs 3400 mg 5 lbs 8.5 oz
Common articles that are toxic are mothballs, pennies, cosmetics, perfumes, potpourri, lead fishing weight, medications even OTC’s. Plug-in air fresheners can be removed by a curious pet and ingested. Fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides are used routinely on lawns and gardens.
As with household cleaners, any product used for cleaning can cause toxicity, but the number one automobile product that kills is anti-freeze, ethylene gylcol. It takes only about 1/2 teaspoon per pound for a dog to get a toxic dose of ethylene glycol.
Emergency Pet Poison First Aid Kit
You may benefit by keeping a pet safety kit and other items on hand for emergencies. Such a kit should contain:
A fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide 3% (USP) – 1 tablespoon per 10 lbs. body weight
Milk
Vinegar or lemon juice – 3 teaspoon diluted with equal parts of water
Milk of Magnesia – 1 teaspoon per 5 pounds body weight
Charcoal
Can of soft dog food
Turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine syringe
Saline eye solution to flush out eye contaminates
Artificial tear gel to lubricate eyes after flushing
Mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid in order to bathe an animal after skin contamination
Rubber gloves to prevent you from being exposed while you bathe the animal
Forceps to remove stingers
Muzzle to keep the animal from hurting you while it is excited or in pain
Pet carrier to help carry the animal to your local veterinarian
And Finally Signs of Toxicity or Poisoning
Pawing at the ears (indicates a ringing sound), eyes, or mouth. Watering eyes and/or nose. Increased thirst and salivation frequent swallowing. Dry mouth, numbness of tissues or pale tissues, dilated pupils, blurred vision (bumping into objects).
Breathing: difficult or labored; change in respiration rate such as reduced, rapid, irregular, shallow or very deep.
Temperature: sudden variations either high, low or irregular
Heart: weak or irregular beat: rapid or slow; fleeting pulse
Digestive: diarrhea (usually foul smelling), foul breath odor, vomits, pain on defecation or palpation. Cramps, constipation, blood in feces or vomitus.
Nervous system: shivering, unusual and uncoordinated movements, shock, coma, paralysis, convulsions.
Urinary tract: increased urination, blood in urine, increased or reduced volume, pain or urination.
Blood: A sample may be drawn to see if there or any irregularities in the blood chemistries and/or the complete blood count (CBC)
Poison Control Emergency Numbers
National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC) a non-profit service of the University of Illinois
NAPCC has three telephone numbers for easy access. Help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
(900) 680-0000 costs $20 for the first five minutes and $2.95 for each additional minute billed to your telephone.
(800) 548-2423 and (888) ANI-HELP [(888) 426-4435 - These are credit- card-only numbers for $30 per case. (Only Master Card, Visa, American Express, and Discover cards are accepted.)
Toxic Foods
alcoholic beverages, avocados (leaves, seeds, skin, stem), chocolate, coffee, cola drinks, hops (used in home beer brewing), macadamia nuts, moldy foods, onions, onion powder, potato (leaves, stems, sprouted potatoes, other green parts), rhubarb leaves, salt, tea, tomato (leaves, stems, other green parts), walnuts, yeast dough
Chocolate is made from the fruit (beans) of the cacao tree. Theobromine, a component of chocolate, is the toxic compound in chocolate. (Caffeine is also present in chocolate, but in much smaller amounts than Theobromine.) Both Theobromine and Caffeine are members of a drug class called Methylxanines.
Theobromine and caffeine effects on the body:
Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant
Cardiovascular stimulant
Increase blood pressure (mild)
Nausea and vomiting
Are some chocolates more toxic than others?
Yes. Unsweetened (baker's) chocolate contains 8-10 times the amount of Theobromine as milk chocolate. Semi-sweet chocolate falls roughly in between the two for Theobromine content. White chocolate contains Theobromine, but in such small amounts that Theobromine poisoning is unlikely. Caffeine is present in chocolate, but less than Theobromine.
Quick Guide for Theobromine levels in different types of chocolate:
From The Merck Veterinary Manual, here are approximate Theobromine levels of different types of chocolate:
Dry cocoa powder = 800 mg/oz
Unsweetened (Baker's) chocolate = 450 mg/oz
Cocoa bean mulch = 255 mg/oz
semisweet chocolate and sweet dark chocolate is = 150-160 mg/oz
Milk chocolate = 44-64 mg Theobromine per oz chocolate
White chocolate contains an insignificant source of methylxanthines.
Cookies, candies with chocolate coating and ice cream contain small amounts of chocolate and usually isn’t harmful to dogs. Solid milk chocolate and bittersweet chocolate bars can be toxic, especially to smaller dogs. It is important for children to know that they should not share their chocolate candy with their dog.
Lethal Dose of Chocolate by Dog's Weight
Dog's Weight Lethal Dose of Theobromide Milk Chocolate Unsweetened Chocolate
5 lbs 200 mg 4 oz 0.5 oz
10 lbs 400 mg 8 oz 1 oz
20 lbs 900 mg 1 lb 2.5 oz
30 lbs 1300 mg 2 lbs 3.25 oz
40 lbs 1800 mg 2.5 lbs 4.5 oz
50 lbs 2250 mg 3 lbs 5.5 oz
60 lbs 2700 mg 4 lbs 7 oz
70 lbs 3400 mg 5 lbs 8.5 oz
Common articles that are toxic are mothballs, pennies, cosmetics, perfumes, potpourri, lead fishing weight, medications even OTC’s. Plug-in air fresheners can be removed by a curious pet and ingested. Fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides are used routinely on lawns and gardens.
As with household cleaners, any product used for cleaning can cause toxicity, but the number one automobile product that kills is anti-freeze, ethylene gylcol. It takes only about 1/2 teaspoon per pound for a dog to get a toxic dose of ethylene glycol.
Emergency Pet Poison First Aid Kit
You may benefit by keeping a pet safety kit and other items on hand for emergencies. Such a kit should contain:
A fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide 3% (USP) – 1 tablespoon per 10 lbs. body weight
Milk
Vinegar or lemon juice – 3 teaspoon diluted with equal parts of water
Milk of Magnesia – 1 teaspoon per 5 pounds body weight
Charcoal
Can of soft dog food
Turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine syringe
Saline eye solution to flush out eye contaminates
Artificial tear gel to lubricate eyes after flushing
Mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid in order to bathe an animal after skin contamination
Rubber gloves to prevent you from being exposed while you bathe the animal
Forceps to remove stingers
Muzzle to keep the animal from hurting you while it is excited or in pain
Pet carrier to help carry the animal to your local veterinarian
And Finally Signs of Toxicity or Poisoning
Pawing at the ears (indicates a ringing sound), eyes, or mouth. Watering eyes and/or nose. Increased thirst and salivation frequent swallowing. Dry mouth, numbness of tissues or pale tissues, dilated pupils, blurred vision (bumping into objects).
Breathing: difficult or labored; change in respiration rate such as reduced, rapid, irregular, shallow or very deep.
Temperature: sudden variations either high, low or irregular
Heart: weak or irregular beat: rapid or slow; fleeting pulse
Digestive: diarrhea (usually foul smelling), foul breath odor, vomits, pain on defecation or palpation. Cramps, constipation, blood in feces or vomitus.
Nervous system: shivering, unusual and uncoordinated movements, shock, coma, paralysis, convulsions.
Urinary tract: increased urination, blood in urine, increased or reduced volume, pain or urination.
Blood: A sample may be drawn to see if there or any irregularities in the blood chemistries and/or the complete blood count (CBC)
Poison Control Emergency Numbers
National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC) a non-profit service of the University of Illinois
NAPCC has three telephone numbers for easy access. Help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
(900) 680-0000 costs $20 for the first five minutes and $2.95 for each additional minute billed to your telephone.
(800) 548-2423 and (888) ANI-HELP [(888) 426-4435 - These are credit- card-only numbers for $30 per case. (Only Master Card, Visa, American Express, and Discover cards are accepted.)