Is my dog going to die?

Question

I just walked in the door and discovered that he had gotten into a lot of Christmas candy - a big bag of peanut M&M's, and two chocolate bars. I know chocolate is bad for dogs... can someone who knows what they are talking about give me some advice... please!!

Um... ok, so he just puked up the two largest brown piles of *whatever he just ate* that I've ever seen... is that a good or a bad sign?

Answer 1

Chocolate contains theobromine which is similar to caffeine, and something dogs are unable to digest it. Depending on the amount, it often can make them very sick and in some rarer cases cause death. It can effect the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system. Best to encourage liquids and call the vet this evening and describe the quantity of chocolate eaten, in relationship to the size of your dog. In some cases you will need to make the dog vomit, your vet can instruct you on the proper procedure there.

Added: Yes and no that he vomited. Its good that he is getting it out of his system, but the fact that he did puke means he has enough in his system to make him fairly ill. Do try ringing an on call vet. As everyone has mentioned, most will walk you through what to do over the phone.

See sites below for what is considered toxic levels and additional information.

Answer 2

That is a good sign that he puked up a lot. That means he probably got rid of most of the chocolate. I wouldnt feed him anything, not even water for at least 30 minutes to settle his tummy. Call a vet soon and ask him what to do or take him for an appointment tommarrow. Good luck and I'm sure he will be fine that most of the chocolate is out of his body. Bye

Answer 3

It depends on how big your dog is to say how bad he is going to be sick. If it is a large or giant breed, you will probably have to deal with vomiting and diarrhea. If you dog is a medium, small, or toy breed you need to call the vet. No matter what size your dog is you need to give it some Hydrogen Peroxide (2 tablespoons to half of a cup depending on the size of the dog, overdosing will not hurt the dog) and I would do this outside if possible as it makes the dogs vomit, thus getting any of the chocolate left in the stomach out. I don't think that it will kill the dog, as it usually takes 1 oz of milk chocolate per pound (of dog) to cause serious damage or kill it. I hope that this helps, and that your dog will be okay.

Answer 4

Well if he puked, then most of the chocolate may be gone, so that's a good sign. Call your local vet emergency room, or if you're in a rural area your vet (they are usually on call.) He or she can tell you what to do. My dog ate a half bad of chocolate M&M's as a puppy and she survived (with no ill effects). Yes chocolate is bad, but I would really worry more if it was dark chocolate, bittersweet or baker's chocolate. Milk chocolate while it's not good is not as bad as those.

Answer 5

What kind of dog is it? How big is your dog? How old is your dog? What is his health like in general? You can't go wrong by taking your dog to the vet!

Generally speaking, chocolate is toxic to dogs.

I don't know about the actual chocolate quality of what your dog ate. My 70+ pound lab mix ate a box of brownie mix when he was about 8 years old. He had chocolate scented diarrhea all over the house. He's on his last legs now, but he's 15 years old. You can't go wrong by going to the emergency vet clinic!

Then there was the time that he ate an entire box of chocolate "turtles." He pooped out peanuts like he was shooting out bee-bees. But he was much younger then, grazing from the cat box, the garbage can and the counter tops. I don't see him passing wads of aluminum foil much these days. Maybe we are dog-proofing the house better.

I could tell you about the sheet cake and the Christmas ornaments that he ate, the time that he was tethered in a harness in the back yard and still managed to escape and get hit by a car, or how he snatched the turkey from between the bread out of a sandwich on the stove when I first met my husband, and how he wore the remainder of that sandwich on his face afterward.

I could also tell you about the thousands of dollars I have spent on medical treatment for this $15 dog.

Every dollar has been well spent. He has graced my life, adding joy and pleasure, and yes, chagrin, for the last 12 years. He's on his way out, but he's still standing, still giving me love, still giving me joy, every single day.

Take that dog to the vet!

Answer 6

How large is your dog? The vomiting is fine unless he continues to vomit...if he starts acting lethargic AT ALL, I'd rush him in the emergency vet. Many emergency vets will talk with you over the phone before you decide to bring him in.....

I had a lab eat a 3 lb bag of peanut m&m's with no side effects except really bad gas.

Don't panic yet.

Answer 7

Any chocolate will make a dog sick, but it is dark chocolate than can be fatal. If he ate dark chocolate take him to the vet now. If not take him outside. It is a good sign that he threw a lot of it up.

Answer 8

I have always been told that its PURE chocolate that is bad for dogs. And it's more about small breeds rather than large. Call a vet to be on the safe side.... One year my dog ate the ornaments off the tree, turns out they can, he was fine... Good luck!

Answer 9

Yes, I agree with all of the above answers, especially the answers that are telling you to call an emergency animal hospital a.s.a.p. Even if you are not taking your dog in right away, and even if he just did vomit, the nurse or a doctor can still instruct you what to do right now.

Good luck! I hope your dog is okay!

Answer 10

I wouldn't wait for the vet to open in the AM call the emergency vet in your area tonight. Explain what happened and that the dog vomited. You may need to take him to the ER tonight.