| | True Companion
an interactive e-newsletter about Animals
| | Chocolate Toxicity in Pets:
What's in Your Emergency Kit?
| June 2009
| | | | | Dear Friend, Although I know chocolate is toxic for pets I discov  ered recently that I could know more about how much chocolate is TOO much, what the symptoms of chocolate toxicity are and what can be done if you are faced with such an issue. The truth is that our pets are exposed to many toxins in their barefoot walks through the streets and parks, their nose nuzzling on freshly sprayed furniture (just watch those Fabreeze commercials) and become very sensitive and toxic through a life time of chemical exposure. Your dog can develop acute symptoms such as seizures from ingesting chocolate. Chronic symptoms such as food sensitivities and joint stiffness or life threatening diseases can result from the accumulation of small amounts of toxins over time. Again, there is much to learn. Read on to find out what you should do in emergencies and what you should have on hand in your health kits. Please enjoy this issue, check out my blog to enter your comments and pass this message along to a friend. Rosemary | | Chocolate Toxicity
Choc olate temptations for us are also temptations for our dogs. A little taste of chocolate can result in a craving for more. For our dogs, they may go through extra efforts to get their chocolate, including getting into the grocery bag. But you should know that chocolate can be dangerous and life threatening. Here are some facts about chocolate toxicity for dogs.
Theobromine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in the cocoa bean that increases urination and effects the central nervous system and the heart muscle. It is toxic in dogs.
Three factors determine if your dog is in trouble:
1. Amount of chocolate... did your dog just pick up an M&M or did it eat the chocolate 3 layer cake reserved for company that evening? On average, it takes 100-150 mg of theobromine per kilogram of body weight to cause a toxic reaction and 250-500 mg of theobromine per kilogram of body weight to be lethal... about 2/3 to 1 1/3 oz bakers chocolate for every 2.2 pounds of body weight. But signs of poisoning can occur at much lower amounts.
2. Type of chocolate... dark chocolate contains more theobromine than milk chocolate.
White chocolate has the least amount of theobromine: 1 mg /oz.
Hot chocolate has 12 mg/ oz.
Milk chocolate contains 44- 60 (and up) mg of theobromine/ oz.
Semisweet chocolate contains 150- 260 mg/oz.
Baker's chocolate 390- 450 mg/oz.
3. Size of your dog.
Using a dose of 100 mg/kg as the toxic dose it comes out roughly as:
1 ounce per 1 pound of body weight for Milk chocolate
1 ounce per 3 pounds of body weight for Semisweet chocolate
1 ounce per 9 pounds of body weight for Baker's chocolate.
4. General Health and Age of your dog. Older and less healthy dogs can be more affected by the same amount of chocolate a younger, healthier dog might ingest.
According to the German Shepherd Rescue of New England, "The first signs of poisoning are vomiting and diarrhea, increased urination, lethargy and depression, and muscle tremors. This can progress to cardiac arrhythmias and seizures leading to death. Though most symptoms will begin to appear within two hours it can take as long as twenty four hours for symptoms to appear and up to three days for recovery. As theobromine metabolizes slowly in dogs symptoms may be slow in appearing- do NOT be fooled into thinking everything is ok. Early attention and treatment can make the difference in saving your companion's life. "
What to do? If you're unsure how much chocolate your dog ate, please call a vet right away. They may induce vomiting. You might also want to have some activated charcoal handy to absorb toxins. Go to my blog, yournaturalhealth.wordpress.com to read what we did for the on-the-spot emergency.
|  Theobromine in Cocoa Mulch
Now that you know that theobromine from the cocoa bean is toxic to pets, you may also want to be aware of the toxic effects of cocoa mulch. It really smells and tastes a little like chocolate which makes this mulch attractive to dogs. According to the ASPCA, "Eaten by a 50-pound dog, about 2 ounces of cocoa bean mulch may cause gastrointestinal upset; about 4.5 ounces, increased heart rate; about 5.3 ounces, seizures; and over 9 ounces, death."
Cocoa mulch contains 300-1200 mg of theobromine per oz. making cocoa mulch one of the strongest concentrations of theobromine a pet is likely to encounter in any chocolate product.
The question that remains is if your dog will eat the cocoa mulch. Maybe not. But why have the risk?
| Toxin Tool Kit
Late summer brings slow, angry bees... the kind that sting your feet or your dog's nose as she sniffs through the grass. Summer is also time for being bothered by ticks, especially if you are spending time camping, hiking, or enjoying the outdoors. General yard care which includes fertilizers and pesticides, if not in your yard, perhaps at the soccer field or park, can all pose a hazard to your pets. Whether you're dealing with bee stings, ticks, pesticides, or chocolate, the one and very most important product to have on hand is activated liquid zeolite. Small in size, easy to carry or store, non-perishable and completely safe, using liquid zeolite first can do no harm and may even save you or your pet from serious consequences.  Liquid zeolite captures all toxins, is effective against viral particles and helps the body with immune defenses. Go to my blog for more details on activated liquid zeolite. | |  A Special Thank You
I have a special spot in my heart for my animal clients and customers. As a thank you and as energetic support, enhancing the heart chakra, I am offering a FREE rose quartz with any purchase from my website. These crystals are cleaned and charged with Reiki for maximum benefit. They are beautiful all on their own. Be sure to call me for details. Let's set up a wholesale account for all of your Waiora purchases if you don't already have one.
 Yours in Good Health, Rosemary | | | | | |
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