A disabled pet owner from Wolverhampton is thanking vet charity PDSA and its supporters after the charity saved his dog’s life when he got his paws on some chocolate.
One-year-old Shih-Tzu Teddy received lifesaving treatment from Wolverhampton PDSA Pet Hospital after scoffing a leftover Malteser Easter egg, which his owner, Shaun Brookes (60), thought was hidden away out of reach.
“My lads had some of the egg and then put it up on a shelf out of reach,” he explained. “But obviously Teddy managed to get to it.
“I noticed he’d finished it off, including the chocolate inside too, so rang my local PDSA. They told me to bring him in straightaway!”
PDSA Vet Laura Hodgkiss said: “When a pet comes in after eating chocolate, we have to work quickly as chocolate can be extremely toxic. We couldn’t be sure of how much chocolate Teddy had eaten, so it was safer to start treatment straight away.
“The team examined Teddy and gave him an injection to make him sick – he brought up lots of chocolate, removing a lot of the toxins from his body.
“He was put on a drip, and given medication to help absorb any remaining toxins. Thankfully he recovered well and wasn’t showing any signs of chocolate toxicity so he was able to go home the later that day!”
Teddy has made a full recovery at home since being discharged.
“I’m not sure what we would have done without PDSA to be honest,” added Shaun, who lives in Bloxwich with his partner, Gail, and three children, Lewis, Ellis and Shelby.
“I have lymphoedema so I can’t work and can’t really leave the house without help.
“My partner Gail works part time cleaning at a school, and I receive benefits, but with the cost of living crisis, every day is a struggle.
“We’ve cut back on almost everything – gas, electric, food – it’s difficult.
“I’m not sure what would have happened to Teddy if it wasn’t for PDSA’s help – in fact, I dread to think.”
Laura shared the signs your pet might have eaten chocolate ahead of National Chocolate Day on Friday 7 July.
“Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which is toxic to dogs, cats, and rabbits. In the most severe cases, chocolate poisoning can cause seizures, heart failure and even death. There are some signs you can look out for if you think your pet may have accidentally eaten chocolate:
Excessive thirst
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
A tender tummy and restlessness
Tremors
A racing heart or abnormal heart rhythm
Raised body temperature and rapid breathing
“The higher the cocoa content of the chocolate, the more dangerous it is, so dark chocolate poses the biggest risk to pets. If you suspect your dog has eaten any amount of chocolate, call your vet straight away for advice, don’t wait for symptoms to appear.”
In times of hardship pets like Teddy will still fall ill or become injured and need emergency care. PDSA is appealing for donations so that the charity can continue to support owners who have nowhere else to turn by providing life-saving care to vulnerable pets. To donate, visit pdsa.org.uk.
