Rusty's chocolate mix-up

Meet Rusty, a 6-year-old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever with a mischievous side.

While his family were getting ready for a night out, Rusty indulged in a treat of his own—an entire batch of fresh unattended chocolate brownies containing 150g of cocoa and dark chocolate – both toxic to dogs.

When his owners discovered the empty tray and a very smug Rusty, they weren’t too concerned because he seemed perfectly fine.

However, Rusty’s owner called a vet, just to be safe and were advised that the amount he had eaten was dangerous and could lead to severe poisoning.

The vet called ahead to the Animal Referral Hospital (ARH) Baulkham Hills, where the emergency team was prepared for his arrival. 

Upon examination, Rusty’s vitals were normal and at the time he presented, he wasn’t showing any signs of chocolate toxicity, but the team knew symptoms could take time to appear.

If left untreated, chocolate toxicity can lead to a rapid heart rate, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and even seizures, so swift action was essential.

To prevent any potential complications, the emergency team induced vomiting with medication to clear Rusty’s stomach. Within 20-30 minutes, Rusty had brought up the contents of his stomach and once there was no further vomiting, he was given an injection to stop nausea and any further vomiting.

Rusty was stabilised and was discharged to go home for observation.

To ensure no remaining toxins were absorbed, his owners were instructed to give him activated charcoal powder every six hours for the next few days. They were also told to watch for any signs of toxicity, such as restlessness, a racing heart, or unusual neurological behaviour.

Thankfully, Rusty made a full recovery with no further issues and chocolate brownies will never be left unattended on the kitchen bench again.

Why is chocolate toxic to pets?

Chocolate contains two harmful substances for dogs – theobromine and caffeine. Dogs metabolise theobromine much more slowly than humans, which makes it toxic to them.

The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is as dark chocolate and cocoa powder have higher concentrations of theobromine.

Even small amounts of chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, elevated heart rate, seizures and in severe cases, death.

In Rusty’s case, the amount of cocoa and dark chocolate he consumed was enough to be life-threatening, so urgent treatment was critical.

Key takeaways from Rusty’s mishap:

• Keep food out of reach: Even seemingly safe spots, such as kitchen benches, can be accessible to curious pets. Always keep harmful foods like chocolate safely stored away where your pet can’t find it.
• Seek immediate veterinary advice: If your pet consumes something potentially toxic, call your vet immediately. In Rusty’s case, quick action prevented what could have been a life-threatening situation.
• Early intervention is critical: Acting fast, whether it’s your vet inducing vomiting or providing other treatments, can make all the difference in preventing severe complications from toxic substances.

Rusty’s story is a reminder to all pet owners to be vigilant about food safety and to always stay on the side of caution when it comes to our furry friends’ health.