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Theobromine Dose Formula:
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Theobromine is a compound found in chocolate that is toxic to dogs. Dogs metabolize theobromine much more slowly than humans, which can lead to accumulation and potentially serious health effects including vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, seizures, and even death.
The calculator uses the theobromine dose formula:
Where:
Explanation: This calculation determines the dose of theobromine per kilogram of body weight, which helps assess the potential toxicity risk for a dog.
Details: Accurate theobromine dose calculation is crucial for determining the severity of chocolate ingestion and guiding appropriate veterinary intervention. Different chocolate types contain varying amounts of theobromine, with darker chocolates typically having higher concentrations.
Tips: Enter the amount of chocolate consumed in grams, the theobromine content in mg/g (see reference values below), and the dog's body weight in kilograms. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What are typical theobromine values for different chocolate types?
A: Milk chocolate: ~2.4 mg/g, Dark chocolate: ~5.5 mg/g, Baking chocolate: ~16 mg/g, White chocolate: ~0.1 mg/g.
Q2: At what dose does theobromine become toxic to dogs?
A: Mild symptoms may appear at 20 mg/kg, more serious symptoms at 40-50 mg/kg, and seizures/cardiac effects can occur at doses over 60 mg/kg.
Q3: What should I do if my dog eats chocolate?
A: Contact your veterinarian immediately with the calculated dose. They may recommend inducing vomiting, activated charcoal, or other treatments based on the dose and timing.
Q4: How quickly do symptoms appear after ingestion?
A: Symptoms typically appear within 6-12 hours after ingestion and can last up to 72 hours due to the slow metabolism of theobromine in dogs.
Q5: Are some dogs more susceptible to theobromine toxicity?
A: Yes, puppies, elderly dogs, and dogs with pre-existing heart conditions or other health issues may be more susceptible to the effects of theobromine.