[Wookie]

Today, my puppy of 4.5 years passed. I've lost dogs before but never this young or this suddenly. Here's the course of events.

On Friday and Saturday, she was fine. She was up and running around, playing as usual, with no problems whatsoever. Eating and drinking just fine.

On Sunday, we were out with family all day. She was fine when I fed her in the morning. My husband and I came home a bit snookered, and went straight to bed.

This morning (Monday), I went to give her water. She'd dumped over her water bowl and did her usual routine: nose the bowl, jump on me, wait impatiently while the water filled. When she flopped down on the floor, I figured she was scratching her ear and didn't pay much attention.

Until she didn't stop. She was seizing...badly. This went on for 1 - 1.5 minutes, then she stopped and began breathing heavily. I left the garage to call my mom, ask her advice and let her know we would be running late. The plan had been to call the vet next, but when I went back out about a minute later Wookie was dead. (Yes I know. I should have called the vet immediately - and I'm kicking myself for not - but it was a little shocking to see happen.)

I found a bag of semi-sweet baking chocolate nearby (empty, of course) next to a trash bag she'd ripped open. Then I remembered that I'd thrown away two bags, but didn't dare look for the second.

She was a 20-25 pound spaniel mix (and they were 1 pound bags). The vet is almost certain it was chocolate poisoning, but now I'm worried that she picked up a bug that could have been passed on to a member of our family.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Wookie

Today, my puppy of 4.5 years passed. I've lost dogs before but never this young or this suddenly. Here's the course of events.

On Friday and Saturday, she was fine. She was up and running around, playing as usual, with no problems whatsoever. Eating and drinking just fine.

On Sunday, we were out with family all day. She was fine when I fed her in the morning. My husband and I came home a bit snookered, and went straight to bed.

This morning (Monday), I went to give her water. She'd dumped over her water bowel and did her usual routine: nose the bowl, jump on me, wait impatiently while the water filled. When she flopped down on the floor, I figured she was scratching her ear and didn't pay much attention.

Until she didn't stop. She was seizing...badly. This went on for 1 - 1.5 minutes, then she stopped and began breathing heavily. I left the garage to call my mom, ask her advice and let her know we would be running late. The plan had been to call the vet next, but when I went back out about a minute later Wookie was dead. (Yes I know. I should have called the vet immediately - and I'm kicking myself for not - but it was a little shocking to see happen.)

I found a bag of semi-sweet baking chocolate nearby (empty, of course) next to a trash bag she'd ripped open. Then I remembered that I'd thrown away two bags, but didn't dare look for the second.

She was a 20-25 pound spaniel mix (and they were 1 pound bags). The vet is almost certain it was chocolate poisoning, but now I'm worried that she picked up a bug that could have been passed on to a member of our family.

Here is info regarding the chocolate:

Chocolate (all forms) It contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. Signs: initial excitement--increased drinking and urinating--vomiting and diarrhea--increased heart rate and arrhythmia
Seizures can then be seen. Death is then possible! ACTION PLAN: Induce vomiting, give activated charcoal, and go to the Vet if depression and seizures begin. BAKER'S CHOCOLATE AND HIGH COCOA CONTENT IS THE MOST TOXIC; THE TOXIC DOSE IS 2 BAKING SQUARES FOR A 10# DOG. Regular choc. (NOT DK. CHOC!) bars have little real chocolate and are seldom toxic. (I hate to copy that part about reg choc--I still think it is not good for dogs--enough of it would be not good!--and you notice the word SELDOM is used in that statement too!!)
From the sounds of this, the 2# of semi-sweet bits would surely be a toxic dose---Aren't the baking squares about an ounce (2 oz. at the most)-so 4 of them would be only 8 oz. at the most and the amount you had was 4 times that amount. So I don't think you have to worry about it being something else.

I know how you must be feeling--I just had to put my cocker/golden down this past June 10th (7 and a half wks. ago) and just reading your post makes a huge weight on my heart. My sympathies go out to you.

[Marc]

I am so sorry for your loss.

I wouldn't worry about anything that can harm your family. That is a textbook reaction to chocolate poisoning, and it could happen to any of us. Dogs love that stuff and it's so bad for them. I've caught mine getting into candy bars I left unattended just for a second.

Don't worry about your family, and let Wookie rest in peace. The rare pathogens that can affect humans and dogs don't have these symptoms. Don't beat yourself up. Calling the vet first wouldn't have helped in this case.

Again, I'm sorry.

[Wookie]

Thank you for the quick responses.

It's reassuring to know that there's really nothing she could have contracted and passed on. I loved my dog, but the idea of anything getting to my kids really...well...drives me a little batty.

Wookie was buried a few hours ago with our other pets that have passed over the years, along with cards my daughters made for her. She's in good company for her final rest.

Now, I need to figure out how to deal with three young girls who are begging for a new puppy...