Veterinaire de Garde Geneve

Veterinaire de Garde Geneve: Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs You must call a Geneva emergency veterinarian aka veterinaire de garde Geneve if you suspect that your dog has eaten any chocolate. Dogs are unable to metabolize this element quickly enough to prevent poisoning. The Geneva emergency veterinarian aka veterinaire de garde Geneve may induce vomiting in dogs that have recently ingested chocolate. We've all heard it, "Don't give your dog chocolate it will kill him". Dogs are known for eating things when they are not supposed to. Also, dogs have an excellent sense of smell, making it fairly easy to find any secret hiding spots for the chocolate. Once dogs have tasted chocolate, they want more. And for dogs, that's a bad thing. Dogs that ingest large quantities of the two toxins may suffer irregular heartbeats and even death. Dogs that consume small quantities of chocolate may show no symptoms. Dogs that have consumed chocolate may tremble or show exaggerated responses to noises and other stimuli. Dogs with severe chocolate intoxication may suffer from seizures. Dogs with severe chocolate intoxication usually are hospitalized for intensive supportive treatment. Chocolate contains two compounds, caffeine and theobromine, that are poisonous to dogs. Caffeine and theobromine are related compounds, and have similar effects on dogs. Different types of chocolate pose different risks to dogs. In most cases, dogs must consume relatively large quantities of chocolate before serious adverse effects occur. However, because of the potential for major complications, owners of dogs that consume chocolate should consult a Geneva emergency veterinarian aka veterinaire de garde Geneve to determine the risk level. Any dog that has access to chocolate is at risk. Some dogs display an individual affinity for the taste of chocolate, and will seek it out if it is available. These dogs often consume chocolate multiple times over their lives. Small dogs are at greater risk of chocolate toxicity than large dogs. The effects of chocolate depend on the type and amount consumed as well as the size of the dog. Large dogs that consume moderate amounts of milk chocolate may show no symptoms. Small dogs may suffer severe intoxication or death after consuming small amounts of dark chocolate. Chocolate poisoning occurs frequently in dogs because chocolate is often available in large amounts and has a strong aroma and an apparently appealing taste. As a result, unsweetened baking chocolate is much more toxic to dogs than milk chocolate or white chocolate.

A Geneva emergency veterinarian aka veterinaire de garde Geneve should be contacted to determine if the type and amount of chocolate a dog ingested is expected to cause mild or serious symptoms. You will need to call a Geneva emergency veterinarian aka veterinaire de garde Geneve first to find out if there is immediate care that you begin with. Dogs ingesting larger doses may develop hyperactivity progressing to tremors, a racing heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and even seizures and death in severe cases. As theobromine metabolizes slowly in dogs symptoms may be slow in appearing- do NOT be fooled into thinking everything is ok. It can mean that your dog will jump at a opportunity to get any type of chocolate, not knowing that certain chocolates are more lethal than other types. Larger amounts of chocolate, particularly of the most toxic type, can bring about epileptic seizures in some dogs, and in all dogs, can kill. Poisoning of dogs by chocolate is not as uncommon as you might think.

Symptoms of Chocolate Dog Ingestion and Poisoning. You can recognize that your dog has eaten a toxic dose of chocolate from the symptoms. As time passes and there's increased absorption of the toxic substance, you'll see an increase in the dog's heart rate, which can cause arrhythmia, restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination or excessive panting. The health and age of your dog must be considered. Obviously if your dog is aged and not in top shape, his reaction to a plate of chocolate is going to be different from a young healthy dog of the same weight. The quantity has a relationship with the weight of your dog. Small dogs can be poisoned; it is easy to understand,

from smaller amounts of theobromine than large dogs. Conclusion Theobromine, a component of chocolate, is a toxic compound in chocolate. Theobromine, caffeine and theophylline are all naturally occurring molecules that are found in several foods, plants, beverages and human and veterinary medications. However, many dogs are prone to repeated bouts of chocolate intoxication. Humans can break down and excrete Theobromine much more efficiently than dogs. Chocolate contains ingredients that can be dangerous to dogs, causing stomach upset, rapid heart rates and trembling, but rarely death. Obviously the chocolate in milk chocolate is quite dilute and this is why many dogs can eat a piece here and there and seem not to show toxic effects, how many dogs would get a hold of 50 oz at a time. Veterinaire de Garde: Stomach Torsion in Dogs Torsion of the stomach in the dog is characterized by life-endangering distension of the stomach with gas; the stomach is usually found to be severely dilated and congested, and often to have rotated about an axis in the plane of the esophagus.

This is an emergency and you should call the Geneva emergency veterinarian aka veterinaire de garde Geneve. The dog should be treated as soon as possible. This condition in the dog has a sudden onset, usually within one to two hours of eating a large meal. The dog is usually severely ill, and can die within one or two hours. It has been reported in young

adults as well as fully mature dogs. There is no doubt it can occur suddenly after eating in a previously healthy dog. Dogs that seem to be most at risk are large dogs with a deep chest and a small waist. Dogs that eat fast tend to swallow a lot of air while eating. Dogs that are more nervous, anxious or fearful appear to have an increased risk of developing GVD (Gastric Volvulus Dilatation). In many cases, there is no evidence that a sudden or vigorous movement of the dog after feeding has occurred. The dog is first breathless and, if examined closely, the abdomen is excessively large. The dog will stand, lie still, or move only with caution. Prevention It seems there is a high risk of torsion of the stomach if the animal is given one feeding a day; the dog is allowed to drink and to indulge in vigorous exercise after eating. The dog should be fed at least twice daily; he should be discouraged from eating rapidly, and he should not be allowed to play actively before and after feeding. The dog should have access to water continuously so there is less chance he will drink a large amount immediately after eating. Keep the dog quiet at LEAST one hour before and at LEAST 2 hours after a meal. If the dog usually gets rambunctious after a meal, crate this animal. Therefore, it is best to thoroughly soak the kibble for at least 30 minutes before feeding this to the dog. Being aware might be the difference between life and death for your dog. Predisposition If you own a deep chested dog such as a Labrador Retriever, Doberman Pinscher, Akita or Great Dane you must be made aware of Gastric Torsion. Stomach torsion is also seen in German Shepherds, St. Bernards, Labrador Retrievers, Irish Wolfhounds, Great Pyrenees, Boxers, Weimaraners, Old English Sheepdogs, Irish Setters, and others of large size (58 pounds was the average size in one study) It rarely occurs in small breeds. Signs The signs are excessive salivation and drooling, extreme restlessness, attempts to vomit and defecate, evidence of abdominal pain (the dog whines and groans when you push on the stomach wall) and abdominal distension. There could be rapid breathing; pale gums and the dog may collapse. A high number of dogs with stomach torsion have cardiac arrhythmias. Treatment

If this occurs, immediate surgery is needed to save the dogs life, and unfortunately, in many cases it is already too late. It is important that the Geneva emergency veterinarian aka veterinaire de garde Geneve first treat the dog for shock with intravenous fluid and drug therapy. Generally, the initial goals of emergency veterinary treatment of GDV are to decompress the stomach and to restore and support the dog's blood circulation. While the diagnosis is simple, the pathological changes in the dog's body make treatment complicated, expensive, and not always successful. When torsion occurs, the esophagus is closed off, limiting the dog's ability to relieve distention by vomiting or belching. Do not insist on accompanying your dog to the treatment area. Once the dog's condition is stabilized, surgery to correct the stomach twist, remove any unhealthy tissue, and anchor the stomach in place is performed. If the condition is not caught early enough, the dog will usually goes into shock, become comatose and then die. If you have been able to get the dog to the Geneva emergency veterinarian aka veterinaire de garde Geneve early enough, and relief isn't seen by passing the naso-gastric tube, surgery becomes the only option. Conclusion Torsion of the stomach in the dog is characterized by life-endangering distension of the stomach with gas; the stomach is usually found to be severely dilated and congested, and often to have rotated about an axis in the plane of the esophagus. It is commonly called torsion of the stomach; however, many veterinarians, believe the primary condition is not torsion, but distension or dilation of the stomach with gas. This distension may or may not be followed by torsion or twisting of the stomach. Torsion of the stomach is seen most commonly in large breeds including the Great Dane and Bloodhound, as well as some of the intermediate size breeds. A commonly expressed explanation is that the disease is purely a mechanical twist of the stomach. The stomach, containing some comparatively heavy food material, is pictured as swinging in a pendulumlike fashion. This occludes both the entrance to and the exit from the stomach so that gas, which is produced in the stomach, cannot escape, giving rise to the distension. If this occurs, immediate surgery is needed to save the dogs life, and unfortunately, in many cases it is already too late. It is important that the Geneva emergency veterinarian aka veterinaire de garde Geneve first treat the dog for shock with intravenous fluid and drug therapy. Generally, the initial goals of emergency veterinary treatment of GDV are to decompress the stomach and to restore and support the dog's blood circulation.