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Pause For Our Pets
Beware Of Chocolate!
by Dr. Mindy Cohan
Dark chocolate has been receiving a lot of positive press exposure. Studies show that eating a small amount each day will boost your cardiovascular and immune systems. However, feeding a small amount to your dog can be very hazardous.
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Bittersweet, or dark chocolate, is the most dangerous variety. It contains a high concentration of theobromine. Theobromine is the caffeine-like agent to which dogs are very sensitive. Milk chocolate contains less theobromine than dark chocolate. A dog must therefore eat a larger quantity to be affected. White chocolate is the most benign form since it does not contain cocoa powder, the source of theobromine.
Your dog can begin to show signs of chocolate toxicity within several hours of ingestion. Symptoms include vomiting, restlessness, hyperactivity, and seizures. Life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias are also possible. Never make chocolate accessible to your dog. Some people will do anything for a chocolate fix. Dogs are no different.
If your dog consumes chocolate, call your veterinarian immediately and report the quantity and variety ingested. Vomiting can be induced and charcoal given to help stop absorption.
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Dr. Mindy Cohan made the decision to become a veterinarian at the age of three. She attended Penn State for her 
undergraduate studies and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. Since completing an internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, Mindy has been a small animal practitioner. She currently works at the Fort Washington Veterinary Hospital.
Besides working with animals, Mindy's interests include music, theatre, cycling, and scrap booking. Mindy shares her home with her partner, a physician, and her cat, Bridget.
The song used within our Pause For Our Pets month report is "Doctor Mindy", performed by Steve Pullara and his Cool Beans Band and can be found on his Zooboogie disc. To purchase the CD, just click the cover!