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"[[File:Chocolate.jpg|thumb|Chocolate]]"
"[[File:Chocolate.jpg|thumb|Chocolate]]"
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
Toxicity is due to the presence of methylxanthines such as theobromine and caffeine in chocolate <ref name="multiples"> '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care'''Chapter 19, Second Edition,2007 </ref>. The concentration of methylxanthines differs between products. For example the average methylxanthine content of milk chocolate is 2mg/g, while that of baking chocolate is 16mg/g. <ref name=multiples> Tilley, Smith'''The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult Canine and Feline''' (Second Edition), ''Lippencott, Williams and Wilkins''</ref>. The consumption of more than 20mg/kg of total methylxanthines is considered the cut-off point in deciding whether or not to treat <ref name="multiples"> '''Dietary intoxications, Chocolate (Theobromine and Caffeine)''', Warman SM, p253,''BSAVA Congress 2007 Scientific Proceedings, Veterinary Programme'' </ref>. The number of grammes required to reach this threshold vary according to the product; in a 10kg dog 5000g of white chocolate provides the equivalent 20mg/kg dose of methylxanthines that 12-40g of plain chocolate, 83-117g of milk chocolate or 7-25g of cocoa powder does <ref name="multiples"> '''Dietary intoxications, Chocolate (Theobromine and Caffeine)''', Warman SM, p253,''BSAVA Congress 2007 Scientific Proceedings, Veterinary Programme'' </ref>.
Toxicity is due to the presence of methylxanthines such as theobromine and caffeine in chocolate <ref name="multiples"> '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care'''Chapter 19, Second Edition,2007 </ref>. The concentration of methylxanthines differs between products. For example the average methylxanthine content of milk chocolate is 2mg/g, while that of baking chocolate is 16mg/g. <ref name=multiples> Tilley, Smith'''The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult Canine and Feline''' (Second Edition), ''Lippencott, Williams and Wilkins''</ref>. Concentrations ranging from of 100-250mg/kg of theobromine and 110-200mg/kg of caffeine have been reported to cause fatalities <ref name="multiples"> '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care'''Chapter 19, Second Edition,2007 </ref>. The consumption of more than 20mg/kg of total methylxanthines is considered the cut-off point in deciding whether or not to treat <ref name="multiples"> '''Dietary intoxications, Chocolate (Theobromine and Caffeine)''', Warman SM, p253,''BSAVA Congress 2007 Scientific Proceedings, Veterinary Programme'' </ref>. The number of grammes required to reach this threshold vary according to the product; in a 10kg dog 5000g of white chocolate provides the equivalent 20mg/kg dose of methylxanthines that 12-40g of plain chocolate, 83-117g of milk chocolate or 7-25g of cocoa powder does <ref name="multiples"> '''Dietary intoxications, Chocolate (Theobromine and Caffeine)''', Warman SM, p253,''BSAVA Congress 2007 Scientific Proceedings, Veterinary Programme'' </ref>.
Methylxanthines are also present in beverages and foods other than chocolates <ref name="multiples"> '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care'''Chapter 19, Second Edition,2007 </ref>.
Methylxanthines are also present in beverages and foods other than chocolates <ref name="multiples"> '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care'''Chapter 19, Second Edition,2007 </ref>.