Dog ate chocolate from trash, now has watery diarrhea. Concerned?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Oliver. Since he is a large breed dogs and he ate brownies instead of pure chocolate, the risk of chocolate toxicity is less. However, high fat and high sugar foods can trigger pancreatitis. This is potentially serious condition that results in significant vomiting and diarrhea. He will need to see his veterinarian if his diarrhea worsens or he develops vomiting. In the meantime, I would withhold his dinner tonight in an effort to rest his gastrointestinal. Be sure to offer plenty of water so that he does not become dehydrated. I hope this information helps!

Poor Waldo! Lack of bowel movements is definitely cause for concern - it can be an indication of an intestinal obstruction. It is possible that Waldo ate something else from the trash that may have resulted in this. Waldo should be seen by a vet right away, especially because you think he is not acting like himself. They can perform an exam with abdominal palpation, bloodwork, and X-rays to determine exactly what is going on and provide appropriate supportive care such as IV fluids. I hope this helps and that all is well with Waldo!

The ice cream could be the cause of the diarrhea. I can give you a home remedy for him to see if that helps. Withhold food for 12-24 hours, then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If the diarrhea continues on the bland diet, he starts vomiting food, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away. Best of luck.

There's not much to be done but treat the symptoms after more than 12 hours. A visit to your vet would be prudent if your dog ate a large quantity and is having tremors/twitches or an irregular/fast heartbeat. If he is acting normally otherwise, withhold food for 12-24 hours. Allow small amounts of water or unflavored PediaLyte. Resume feeding a bland diet (boiled boneless, skinless chicken breasts and plain white rice) in small, frequent amounts. Feed until the stool is normal, then transition slowly to the regular diet. If the diarrhea doesn't resolve, see your veterinarian.

I doubt the number of chocolate chips in 1-2 chocolate chip cookies would be enough to cause chocolate toxicity, however any rich food can potentially trigger vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. If he seems otherwise fine you can monitor him during the day: I would only allow him to drink small amounts of water at a time and would not recommend feeding until this evening. If he vomits again, or if he has more diarrhea that has a red tinge to it I would recommend seeing an emergency veterinarian.

Poor Barney. Feed him then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If the diarrhea continues on the bland diet, he refuses to eat the bland diet, he starts vomiting food, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away. I hope this helps!

If this was a milk chocolate mix then he should only end up with mild to moderate symptoms: - GI signs (vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite) - Increase thirst and urination - Tachycardia (fast heart rate) and hyperexcitability, high blood pressure - Neurological signs If this was dark chocolate, bakers chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, then he ate a toxic dose and should go to the ER as soon as possible! I suggest you do the following if decide not to go to the ER now: 1. If he will eat it, give him one or two slices of plain bread now. Sometimes that helps with the diarrhea and will slow down the GI tract. 2. Then, no food for 6-8 hours. Water should be available at all times. 3. If no vomiting after 6-8 hours, then start feeding small amounts of a bland diet every few hours. Bland foods like: scrambled eggs, plain rice, plain pasta, boiled chicken or turkey, human baby foods (meat flavors). No butter, oil or spices on the food. 4. If vomiting starts at any time or he becomes VERY restless then you should get him to the ER for an exam as soon as possible. I hope this is helpful! Best wishes.