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Theobromine poisoning or chocolate poisoning is an adverse reaction to the alkaloid theobromine, which a naturally occurring stimulant, found in chocolate, tea, cola beverages, and some other foods.

The amount of theobromine found in chocolate is small enough that chocolate can be safely consumed by humans in large quantities, but animals that metabolize theobromine more slowly can easily consume enough chocolate to cause chocolate poisoning.

The most common victims of theobromine poisoning are dogs (for which it can be fatal). Cats and especially kittens are yet more sensitive and many other animals are also susceptible.

The first signs of theobromine poisoning are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased urination. These can progress to cardiac arrhythmias, epileptic seizures, internal bleeding, heart attacks, and eventually death.

Theobromine is especially toxic to horses, dogs, parrots and cats because they are unable to metabolize the chemical effectively. If they are fed chocolate, the theobromine will remain in their bloodstream for up to 20 hours. Medical treatment involves inducing vomiting within two hours of ingestion, or contacting a veterinarian.

White Chocolate: It would take 259 pounds of white chocolate to cause signs of poising in a 20 pound dog.

Milk Chocolate and Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Approximately 1 pound is poisonous to a 20-pound dog, about 4 to 6 candy bars.

Sweet Cocoa: One-third of a pound of sweet cocoa is toxic to a 20-pound dog.

Bakers Dark Chocolate: Two 1 ounce squares would poison a 20-pound dog.

Reference: Wikipedia

Copyright by VeggieSensations.com 11/1/2006