The Festive Season probably wouldn't be quite the same without it but, the sheer volume of chocolate in all it's guises readily available to our canine patients can pose a significant problem at this time. Only a few days ago, "Sashca" was rushed into the Fairfield Veterinary Centre after consuming a whole box of chilli chocolates. A well recognised toxin in canine patients, owners are usually quite aware of the potential hazards. Recognising the risk her owners contacted the practice for advice. Given the volume consumed it was advised to bring her in to the practice immediately where a fast acting emetic agent was administered by injection. This "treatment" (apomorphine) causes the patient to vomit persistently for 10 to15 minutes very soon after being given. Fortunately, in this case the potential hazards were soon "out of her system" and quickly cleared away by the nursing team lest she should contemplate another tasty morsel. The "active ingredient" in chocolate is theobromine, a drug quite similar to caffeine with which most people are familiar. Contained within the cocoa solids it is found in highest concentrations in dark chocolate and cocoa powder. White "chocolate" in contrast is practically harmless. Symptoms of "theobromine" toxicity include vomiting , diarrhoea, restlessness, abdominal pain, convulsions and heart arrythmias. Most fatalities in dogs are in fact where cocoa powder or cocoa shell mulch has been consumed, so gardeners with dogs should also take note. Anyone considering a Christmas present for their dog would do well to consider buying a box of soda crystals. | 
