Introduction

Toxicity is due to the presence of methylxanthines such as theobromine and caffeine in chocolate. They are also present in stimulant preparations and other products.

Signalment

Dog that live indoors are more likely to have access to chocolate..[1]


Diagnosis

Clinical Signs

Chocolate poisoning results in CNS, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular signs.[1]

  • CNS: hyperexcitability, hyperactivity, ataxia initially can evolve into muscle tremors, clonic seizures and hyperthermia.[1], [1]
  • Gastrointestinal: diarrhoea, emesis, haematemesis, colic.[1], [1]
  • Cardiovascular: arrhythmias,infrequently bradycardia but usually tachycardia.[1], [1]

Laboratory Tests

Pathology

The methylxanthines yield their effects through

  • Antagonism of Adenosine Receptors:[2]

Treatment

Prognosis

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Tilley SmithThe 5-Minute Veterinary Consult Canine and Feline (Second Edition), Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "multiple" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "multiple" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "multiple" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "multiple" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "multiple" defined multiple times with different content
  2. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care Second Edition, 2007
    • Inhibition of Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase: