FROM OUR VETS: Hold that chocolate!

Dr. Noemi Plantz reminds dog-owners that, although chocolate is nutritious for humans (not to mention delicious), it is quite toxic to our four-legged friends.

Be wary of chocolate and your pets!

Chocolate contains two substances that are toxic to dogs: theobromine and caffeine. The amounts vary with the type of chocolate. Baking chocolate contains the most, followed by dark chocolate, and milk chocolate. White chocolate contains the least amount of theobromine and caffeine.

Signs can vary when a dog eats chocolate, although not every dog will develop toxicity. Watch for gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea and vomiting), nervous system disorders (hyperactivity, tremors, seizures), and cardiovascular changes (arrhythmias). Your veterinarian can calculate the amount of toxic substance consumed, and determine if treatment is needed. Treatments can be as simple as subcutaneous fluids, stomach protectants, and a bland diet. More difficult cases might call for hospitalization, intravenous fluids, and anti-convulsants.

Variables can involve the type of chocolate, the amount eaten, and the weight of the dog. Call us when you think your dog has eaten chocolate and we'll be glad to consult. At the clinic and in our homes, we keep all foods containing chocolate out of reach of our dogs, and well within our own reach instead!

Dog Ownership Good for Teens...and Adults

A Dog’s Life: It’s good for teens, and adults, too.

An article from the Los Angeles Times, by Shari Roan. Summary.

Dog ownership appears to make teens more active, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Virginia.

They surveyed 618 pairs of adolescents and their parents living in the Twin Cities about the number of dogs in the home and how much time they spent physically active. About half of the teens also wore accelerometers – devices that measure activity – for one week.

…

Other studies show that adults who have dogs are more physically active, too. Even if people don’t walk their dogs regularly, just having a dog makes one more active because of chores such as getting up to feed the dog, letting it outside or cleaning up after it, the researchers said.

The study appears in the March issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.