Pally's Story: Preventing Chocolate Toxicity

Pally, a super-sweet spayed female boxer mix, was about 7 months old and 40 lb. when she was able to sneak away approximately 2 oz of dark chocolate.  Luckily, being a young and inexperienced pup, she was brazen enough to do it right in front of her owner! (I know what you're thinking... hard to believe this little gal would cause any trouble, right?)

Her person quickly called Lombard Animal Hospital and, within 25 minutes of ingesting the chocolate, Pally was admitted by Dr. Preston.  Because her owner acted fast, Pally simply needed an injection of apomorphine to induce vomiting* and prevent the toxic effects of theobromine (the compound in chocolate that is toxic to pets).  Pally threw up 5 piles of chocolatey liquid from ingesting just 2 oz!
When Dr. Preston checked in on his patient the next day, she was acting normally and had already eaten her breakfast with no symptoms of gastritis (stomach upset).  Thus, no further treatment was necessary...good for Pally, and great for her person too!

*Note: Do not try to induce vomiting at home. There can be dangerous secondary effects, such as esophageal ulceration and aspiration pneumonia, when not performed appropriately.

Not all pets who ingest chocolate are as lucky as Pally! Some of them are not treated as quickly and can experience serious health effects from ingesting theobromine such as:

• Vomiting and/or Diarrhea
• Tremors, Shaking, Agitation or Hyperactivity
• Dehydration
• Seizures

Theobromine can stay in the system for up to 4 days.  When pets are not treated promptly, they may need to spend 1-4 days in the hospital on Intravenous fluids and supportive care.  Treatment is based on when the chocolate was ingested and the clinical symptoms of the pet during physical exam. 

In addition to theobromine, chocolate also contains fat and sugar.  These components can easily cause gastritis and pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas) in our 4-legged friends.  Milk chocolate contains less theobromine, but more fat and sugar.

Take Home Points:

• Contact your Veterinarian as soon as you suspect chocolate ingestion...no matter how much or how long ago it may have occurred!
• Usually, if your vet is able to see the patient within an hour of ingestion, vomiting will be induced and further treatments may not be necessary as long as your pet is not symptomatic. 
• *Do NOT attempt to induce vomiting at home.
• If greater than an hour is passed, your vet will determine the best way to treat your pet. Some type of fluid therapy and supportive care will most likely be necessary.
• As a general rule, it only takes 0.25 - 0.5 oz of dark chocolate per 10 lb. body weight to cause theobromine toxicity.  The darker the chocolate, the higher the concentration of theobromine. 
• Gastritis and Pancreatitis can occur from any amount or type of chocolate ingestion.

All's well that ends well! -- Pally

Acupuncture Success Story - Corkie!

"Corkie and Alese"

An LAH Super Senior and an LAH Super Assistant

This is Corkie, a 9 year-old spayed female Chihuahua who came to see Dr. Preston for pain and difficulty walking.  During her exam, it was noted that Corkie had decreased neurologic function in her left front and both rear legs.  She was lacking conscious proprioception in these three limbs, the awareness of position and ability to move body segments correctly.  Corkie was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease.  In short, one or more of the discs that are found in between the vertebra were inflamed, causing pressure on the spinal cord and associated nerves.

Corkie did respond to anti-inflammatories.  She felt better and her conscious proprioception improved in the rear limbs, but she was not back to normal. Her left front limb was still markedly affected and she could not and would not go up and down stairs. Dr. Preston discussed acupuncture with Corkie's owners and she was referred to Dr. Nell for treatment.  Dr. Nell evaluated Corkie using both Western and Eastern exam techniques.  Specific acupuncture points were chosen to decrease inflammation, treat pain and restore appropriate circulation (Western). From a Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) standpoint, points were chosen to treat pain, resolve Phlegm, and restore the appropriate flow of Qi and Blood.

During the first treatment, conscious proprioception was restored to Corkie's left front limb.
After Corkie's second treatment, she went up and down the stairs of her own accord.
By the third treatment, Corkie's owner felt that she was 100% better.

Corkie will continue to be seen for acupuncture every 4 weeks or as needed for Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).  It is important to have realistic goals when using acupuncture as treatment for disease, especially structural disease such as IVDD and arthritis.  Acupuncture can not alter structure, and therefore will not cure these medical issues. However, it can reduce inflammation, decrease pain and restore function.  In Corkie's case, it helped her to regain a normal quality of life!

"Corkie responded very well to acupuncture. It was really helpful and we will recommend it to others!"

-- Corkie's Family

If you would like to explore acupuncture as a treatment option for your pet, please call and schedule a consult with Dr. Nell.  We are here to help - 503.285.2337

Don’t let the heat drain you or your pets!

Getting outdoors with your pet is great, but....

We all know it is easy for us and our pets to get dehydrated during the hot, sunny days of Summer.  In Chinese medicine, this would be explained as Yin deficiency.  In short, excess heat dries up the Yin portions of the body.  Yin is the cooling, hydrating quality of our health.  Thus, it is just as important to boost Yin as it is to avoid heat!

• ·      Provide plenty of cool, fresh water for pets all day long!
•  
• ·      Ensure that your pet can get away into the air conditioning or shade!
•  
• ·      As a treat, offer 2 tablespoons (dogs) or 1 tablespoon (cats) of Greek, nonfat yogurt!

To learn more about Yin, Yang and the Energetics of Food as they relate to your pet’s diet, schedule a Nutrition Consult with Dr. Nell or consider attending her free Nutrition Class at Healthy Pets Northwest (Alberta St. Location) in September!

Welcome to Our New Blog!

The LAH Team feels very lucky to have such curious clients (and patients!) who have expressed interest in learning more details about specific pet health concerns.  As we can't fit all of the information in on Newsletters (and we don't want to flood your inbox!) we have chosen to feature interesting or helpful case studies monthly through this Blog.  Each month we will focus on a particular veterinary case: symptoms, diagnostics, treatment and outcome.   Our goal is to provide you - our clients and the public - with valuable information that will benefit you and your pets!

With Warm Thoughts...
Dr. Preston, Dr. Nell and the LAH Team