Contraband candy catastrophe
Dear Dr. Forsythe: I’m writing in for advice about a problem I’m having with my son and how his eating habits are affecting our dog. Lately I have been finding all kinds of candy wrappers in my 13-year-old’s room. It seems that my son keeps a stash of Kit Kats, Milky Ways and Mars bars in his room. I find the candy (and the wrappers) under his bed, in his book case, in his desk, and even under his pillow. It wasn’t a problem until our Golden Retriever got very sick last week and began shaking and having diarrhea and was agitated. We rushed her to the emergency hospital and while we were in the waiting room she vomited up a huge pile of brown liquid with a candy bar wrapper. The veterinarians made her vomit three more times and altogether she barfed up four more candy bars. They told us she could have become very sick or even died depending on how much chocolate was already digested before we took her in. Why is chocolate so dangerous to dogs? And how much do they need to eat to get sick?
Tired of the contraband
Dear Tired: Chocolate is one of the top 20 toxins reported in dogs, and most commonly around holidays. However, it sounds like your son’s affinity for the delicious treat may be at the root of this problem. Chocolate is toxic to dogs because it contains the methylxanthine alkyloids theobromine and caffeine. These are very toxic to dogs because unlike humans, they cannot metabolize these molecules. Similarly, Tylenol is lethal to cats because their livers lack a necessary enzyme required to metabolize the drug—even a small amount will kill a feline.
The lethal dose of chocolate for dogs is 100 mg/kg, with dark chocolate being the most potent and harmful. It sounds like your son and your Golden share a sweet tooth, and it nearly cost you your pet’s life. It may be time to have your son consolidate his candy stash in one safe place where the family pooch can’t get at it whenever the “the wind moves him.” With a little more discipline in the candy department, your son’s dental bills and your veterinary bills will most likely improve greatly. Good luck !
Dr. F.
Kitty victory lap
Dear Dr. Forsythe: I’ve recently noticed that after my cat uses the litter box, he runs around lickety split, up and down the hallway and then meows several times. This has been happening for several months now. Then, after several minutes of meowing and running all around, he insists on eating. What is he doing? Everything else is normal and he is in great shape. It is just this burst of energy after using the litter box.
Puzzled Earl
Dear Earl: It sounds like your kitty cat is doing a victory lap. Many cats (and some dogs) jump for joy after answering nature’s call. I’m not sure whether it is a feeling of euphoria, relief, or pride of accomplishment, but it is not unusual for them to undergo what my sister Vallarie calls “goofems.” This is when a relatively normal animal begins to act like a complete “booby” for several minutes running around and cavorting like a clown. Then, of course, this works up an appetite and they will demand food. It sounds like a pretty normal situation, and since many clients have described the same thing with perfectly healthy pets, I doubt you have very much to worry about.
I have a vivid memory of my late father, Vallard, who took me to the Greyhound races in Florida when I was a very young man. Before race-time, we went down to see the contenders, and one stood out in particular as being rather muscular, sleek and race-worthy. Then, that same greyhound circled twice and took the hugest poop I’ve ever seen come out of an animal. My father and I looked at her racing number, looked at each other, and immediately placed a bid on her to win. And win she did!! The moral of the story: Dog racing is a dreadful, rotten thing, but if you must choose a pet, pick one that just answered nature’s call, and that animal will probably run the fastest and have the most vim and vigor!
Dr. F.
