Changes

"[[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"> King, LG, Boag, A (2007) '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care(2nd Edition)''' ''BSAVA''</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"> King, LG, Boag, A (2007) '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care(2nd Edition)''' ''BSAVA''</ref>.  The consumption of more than 20mg/kg of total methylxanthines, the dose at which mild signs such as vomiting, diarrhoea and polyuria are induced <ref name="multiples">Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eight Edition), Merial found at http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/211104.htm&word=chocolate%2cpoisoning accessed January 2011</ref>, 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 concentration of methylxanthines differs between products <ref name=multiples> Tilley, Smith'''The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult Canine and Feline(Second Edition)''' ''Lippencott, Williams and Wilkins''</ref> and therefore 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"> King, LG, Boag, A (2007) '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care(2nd Edition)''' ''BSAVA''</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"> King, LG, Boag, A (2007) '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care(2nd Edition)''' ''BSAVA''</ref>.  The consumption of more than 20mg/kg of total methylxanthines, the dose at which mild signs such as vomiting, diarrhoea and polyuria are induced <ref name="multiples">Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eight Edition), Merial found at http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/211104.htm&word=chocolate%2cpoisoning accessed January 2011</ref>, is considered the cut-off point in deciding whether or not to treat <ref name="multiples"> Warman, SM (2007)Dietary intoxications'''BSAVA Congress 2007 Scientific Proceedings, Veterinary Programme''' ''BSAVA'' </ref>. The concentration of methylxanthines differs between products <ref name=multiples> Tilley, Smith'''The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult Canine and Feline(Second Edition)''' ''Lippencott, Williams and Wilkins''</ref> and therefore 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"> Warman, SM (2007)Dietary intoxications'''BSAVA Congress 2007 Scientific Proceedings, Veterinary Programme''' ''BSAVA''</ref>

Methylxanthines are also present in beverages and foods other than chocolates <ref name="multiples"> King, LG, Boag, A (2007) '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care(2nd Edition)''' ''BSAVA''</ref>.

Methylxanthines are also present in beverages and foods other than chocolates <ref name="multiples"> King, LG, Boag, A (2007) '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care(2nd Edition)''' ''BSAVA''</ref>.

Chocolate poisoning results in CNS, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory and urological signs.<ref name="multiples">Tilley Smith'''The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult Canine and Feline''' (Second Edition), ''Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins''</ref>, <ref name="multiples">Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eight Edition), Merial found at http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/211104.htm&word=chocolate%2cpoisoning accessed January 2011</ref> which are evident soon after ingestion of a toxic amount of chocolate <ref name="multiples"> King, LG, Boag, A (2007) '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care(2nd Edition)''' ''BSAVA''</ref>.  

Chocolate poisoning results in CNS, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory and urological signs.<ref name="multiples">Tilley Smith'''The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult Canine and Feline''' (Second Edition), ''Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins''</ref>, <ref name="multiples">Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eight Edition), Merial found at http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/211104.htm&word=chocolate%2cpoisoning accessed January 2011</ref> which are evident soon after ingestion of a toxic amount of chocolate <ref name="multiples"> King, LG, Boag, A (2007) '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care(2nd Edition)''' ''BSAVA''</ref>.  

*'''CNS:''' hyperactivity, behavioural changes, ataxia, muscle tremors, clonic seizures and hyperthermia <ref name="multiples">Tilley Smith'''The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult Canine and Feline''' (Second Edition), ''Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins''</ref>, <ref name="multiple">'''BSAVA Congress 2007 Scientific Proceedings''', p253-254</ref>, <ref name="multiples"> King, LG, Boag, A (2007) '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care(2nd Edition)''' ''BSAVA''</ref>.  

*'''CNS:''' hyperactivity, behavioural changes, ataxia, muscle tremors, clonic seizures and hyperthermia <ref name="multiples">Tilley Smith'''The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult Canine and Feline''' (Second Edition), ''Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins''</ref>, <ref name="multiples"> Warman, SM (2007)Dietary intoxications'''BSAVA Congress 2007 Scientific Proceedings, Veterinary Programme''' ''BSAVA'' </ref>, <ref name="multiples"> King, LG, Boag, A (2007) '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care(2nd Edition)''' ''BSAVA''</ref>.  

*'''Gastrointestinal:''' diarrhoea, emesis, haematemesis <ref name="multiples">Tilley Smith'''The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult Canine and Feline''' (Third Edition), ''Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins''</ref>, <ref name="multiple">BSAVA Congress 2007 Scientific Proceedings p253-254</ref>

*'''Gastrointestinal:''' diarrhoea, emesis, haematemesis <ref name="multiples">Tilley Smith'''The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult Canine and Feline''' (Third Edition), ''Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins''</ref>, <ref name="multiple">BSAVA Congress 2007 Scientific Proceedings p253-254</ref>

*'''Cardiovascular:''' arrhythmias,tachycardia, bradycardia sometimes, hypotension <ref name="multiples">Tilley Smith'''The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult Canine and Feline''' (Second Edition), ''Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins''</ref>, <ref name="multiple">'''BSAVA Congress 2007 Scientific Proceedings''', p253-254</ref>

*'''Cardiovascular:''' arrhythmias,tachycardia, bradycardia sometimes, hypotension <ref name="multiples">Tilley Smith'''The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult Canine and Feline''' (Second Edition), ''Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins''</ref>, <ref name="multiples"> Warman, SM (2007)Dietary intoxications'''BSAVA Congress 2007 Scientific Proceedings, Veterinary Programme''' ''BSAVA'' </ref>.

*'''Respiratory:''' tachypnoea <ref name="multiples">Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eight Edition), Merial found at http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/211104.htm&word=chocolate%2cpoisoning accessed January 2011</ref>.

*'''Respiratory:''' tachypnoea <ref name="multiples">Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eight Edition), Merial found at http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/211104.htm&word=chocolate%2cpoisoning accessed January 2011</ref>.

*'''Urological:''' polydypsia and polyuria may also be present <ref name="multiples">Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eight Edition), Merial found at http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/211104.htm&word=chocolate%2cpoisoning accessed January 2011</ref>.

*'''Urological:''' polydypsia and polyuria may also be present <ref name="multiples">Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eight Edition), Merial found at http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/211104.htm&word=chocolate%2cpoisoning accessed January 2011</ref>.

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

If treated correctly and early enough ref 5min consult the prognosis is good and a complete recovery can be expected ref bsava proceedings. For animals presenting with seizures and arrhythmias the prognosis is more cautious.

If treated correctly and early enough ref 5min consult the prognosis is good and a complete recovery can be expected <ref name="multiples"> Warman, SM (2007)Dietary intoxications'''BSAVA Congress 2007 Scientific Proceedings, Veterinary Programme''' ''BSAVA'' </ref>. For animals presenting with seizures and arrhythmias the prognosis is more cautious.

==References==

==References==

<references/>

<references/>