Dog ate chocolate?

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Peeing orange and losing weight.

Species: Dog
Breed: mongrel
Age: 2-5 years
I have a village dog, I think he is dying, I don't know what to do. I always feed him and he lives in the back field. He got a bit skinny and I added bread with his dog food, he gained a bit of weight but lost it again. His poos also seemed like they were fiber(like textile) Yesterday he didn't come when I called. i found him, he was very weak, but did wag his tail a little. I carried him inside and he drank quite a bit of water, but very little food (VERY unusual for him) and he breathed with like an undertone of crying. He was in the house all day mainly lying in one spot. This evening he peed orange in the house, and wanted to go out. He walked very slowly and made a nest in the straw in my garden. he doesn't want to come in. He is suffering, there is no vet here, and I don't know what to do. I am in Bulgaria in a small village. I have left some water with him, but he's not drinking it. His breathing is like a little whine. It is extremely sad to see. Although he could be a pain in the arse, he's very affectionate and a good boy.


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Aw..poor little pooch. I'm sorry to hear that he is really not doing well.

The fact that he is producing orange urine has me concerned. This may mean that he is jaundiced. Usually jaundice is a result of some type of liver disease.

I'm not sure what kind of liver diseases you see in Bulgaria, but it's possible that he has a viral hepatitis. This can be quite serious.

The other possibility that would possibly have a better outcome is if he ate something toxic to the liver such as a plant.

The best thing you can do for him is to try to get some electrolyte solution into him. If you don't have access to an electrolyte solution made for dogs you can use products made for children. In the US a product called pedialyte would be the best. Another alternative is a sports drink like gatorade. It's not great that there is sugar in it but it will help to support his hydration.

If this is because he has eaten something toxic to the liver then there is a chance that he could recover.

However, I am fearful that this is a serious problem that could be fatal. Unfortunately there is nothing that I can suggest that will help him to pass quicker if he is dying. The best thing I can suggest is to keep him as comfortable as possible. Give him a warm place to sleep (which it seems he has already done with the straw).

If he does start to recover you may want to consider giving him some Dewormer in case he has some parasites. But again, my fear is that this is something much worse than parasites.

I wish I could give you more helpful advice. It doesn't sound like little Pooch will be with us for much longer. :(

Dr. Marie.


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Disclaimer: Although Dr. Marie is a qualified veterinarian, the information found on this site is not meant to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. AskAVetQuestion.com and Dr. Marie do not accept any responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, death, or disease which may arise from reliance on information contained on this site. Do not use information found on this site for diagnosing or treating your pet. Anything you read here is for information only.

Customer reply:

I think you are right, I think this is something that's a condition, and to me it looks like he is dying and kind of knows it.

I think that's why he wants to be outside. I don't know if its worse for him when I'm with him stroking him or being alone. It's night time here, quite cold.

I have a feeling when he's alone, he kind of drifts in a painful stupor, and when I'm with him, although he loves having me around, it focuses him more on the pain.

I'm sorry, I'm crying. I just feel so bad, I wish I could take his suffering away.

I am wondering how long it is going to go on for him and if I should try to end it for him sooner if this is going to be something that will take several days.

I know you can't say, "end it" but if you could give me an indication of how long this could take, then I can make a decision.

Thank you


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Oh, I am really so sorry that you are in this situation. While I can't say for sure, my guess would be that he will pass within 24 hours from what you have told me.

There really is nothing that you can do to "end it". There aren't any medicines that you would have available to you that would be strong enough to humanely euthanize him.

I'm not sure how you feel about God, but in times like this I will often pray for the Lord to take a suffering animal. So Lord, I pray right now that this little dog comes to you quickly with no pain.

Again, I wish I could give you more advice. I will be online for about another 2-3 hours so if there is anything else I can help with then feel free to respond.

Dr. Marie.



Customer reply:

Thank you. Basically thats what I been doing is praying. I'm not really religious, but I been asking to please take him quickly and end his suffering.

Thank you for your prayers, I really really appreciate this. I'm sorry my screen is incredibly blurry at the moment.




I have cats, Is there something I should do to prevent them from getting this and is this form of hepatitis transmitable to humans?



Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

In my area there are very few things that are contagious from dog to cat that can cause liver disease. In fact, I can't think of any.

It may be worthwhile to call a vet in Bulgaria to ask if there is something in your area that you would need to worry about.

Canine hepatitis virus is not at all transmittable to humans or to cats.

Again, I hope he is at peace soon.

Dr. Marie.



Customer reply:

Thank you again for your help. I will recommend you to others.


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

And thank you for looking after this poor little dog.



Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Hi Margie...I've been thinking a lot about your little village dog. Did he make it through the night? How is he doing today?



Customer reply:

Yes, he seemed better during the day, drank a bit, peed. And later in the day absolutely devoured some liver I cooked him. This evening he's taken a turn for the worst again. I am trying to get him to drink as much as possible and keeping him warm.

Tomorrow the vet comes to the village and I'll see what he says, maybe it can be solved with antibiotics.

I will keep you posted, thanks for thinking of us!


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Thanks for the update. I am pleased to hear that he ate.

It certainly won't hurt to try some antibiotics on him but from what you have described he sounds sicker than a "simple infection."

Is he still producing orange urine?

Another possibility is a severe pancreatitis. Pancreatitis (inflammation in the pancreas) is usually caused from eating something fatty, which is definitely possible in a dog that roams. While we usually see vomiting, we don't always. The key to treating pancreatitis is keeping fluids in his system and giving him medicine for pain. Pancreatitis can cause inflammation in the bile duct which can cause the odd color in his urine. Do you see any yellowish tint to his eyes or gums? If so, this confirms that he is jaundiced but if not, jaundice is still possible. If a dog is just slightly jaundiced often what we will see is just a change in urine color first.

But then, there are a number of other possibilities as well. Hopefully the vet can help.

I'm really thinking of this little guy! Keep doing what you're doing and do keep me updated.

Dr. Marie




Customer reply:

Hi! Well, the vet didn't come to the village today, but a friend to me to the city to the vet there. Poochy has hepatitis, but the vet didn't seem pesimistic about poochy's chances. He immediately knew what to do, like this is an easy common problem, so I am somewhat hopeful. Pooch got an injection (I don't know what it was because y bulgarian doesn't stretch that far yet) and a 10 day treatment of Verdin, twice a day and then come back. also nothing fatty, only rice chicken fish and yoghurt.

Poochy next to me on the floor in a nest of old blankets. Still wheezing. For some reason nights seem to be more difficult for him.

the vet didn't mention about drinking, but I try to keep him drinking (against his will, I must add :D) I just dip my fingers in the water bowl and get him to lick my fingers and move them around abit, after a few minutes I lower my hand to the bowl and then he'll drink a bit. I figure it can't harm him to be hydrated.

I just wanted to let you know that I found out about you from a forum called survivalist boards at the following link http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=141686

where I asked for help. I can't tell you how helpful the people on the forum were, and one of them gave me your link. I think everybody has been rooting for poochy!

Thanks again for your help!

Margie (on the forum, I am Daisy)


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Yay! I am thrilled that Poochy is still with us and that he may survive.

I definitely agree on the diet...nothing fatty. This is likely in case the pancreas is inflamed along with the liver. Fatty food will make things a lot worse.

A few things you can try in order to get him to drink - Try offering him ice cubes. Or try flavoring the water with a small amount of chicken broth or tuna juice.

The site at survivalistboards is very interesting! There are some incredible and caring people on there! Please tell them thanks for recommending me.

Let's hope Poochy continues to recover!

Dr. Marie.





Customer reply:

Dr. Marie, sadly poochy is deteriorating rapidly. I am snowed in, I have tried to get a vet to come both yesterday and today, but the roads are too bad.

Poochy is in terrible agony, every minute he has waves of pain and heavy breathing.

At the beginning of the week I was able to get some Thioridazine Hydrochloride, (they don't have the "Ace...." stuff here). I gave him 2x 10 mg at 4 pm, 2x10 mg at 6 pm and 2x10 mg at 9 pm, it is now almost 1 am here. He kind of doped out earlier but seems to be coming to.

I have no idea how long this is going to last. It looks to me really really that he is dying, but taking so long.

I spoke to my best friends in the next village who did come over today. We agreed I should make the end short for pooch, so my idea was to give him some of the tablets and when he was sleeping, to put a pillow over his head. I've not been able to do it, but he is now in so much agony, I actually can't see him go through this anymore. My friends said it is better to put a plastic bag over his head and tape it, when he is sleeping.

I am debating on what to do. I've 6x10 mg of the thioridazin and am thinking of giving him that, waiting 45 minutes and then put him out of his misery. I actually don't know what else to do.

I considered just letting him die naturally, but this is taking so long and it's just not right.

I know the thioridazine, can cause fits and confusion. I'm just wondering if I should stick with 2x10 mg or go for more. I have a total of 170 mg in 10 mg tablets.

I'm really sorry about this, but he is looking to me for help.


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Oh I am so sorry that this is happening.

Unfortunately I am not sure how to advise you in this situation. The only experience I have with humane euthanasia of an animal is with using the drugs that I have available that are meant for euthanasia.

Any other oral medication may work but could also cause seizures or other unpleasant side effects. The thioridazine is not a drug that I am at all familiar with.

The only at home method of death I could even remotely recommend is if there was someone in the village who was skilled with a gun. It would be hard to do, but if someone felt comfortable this would likely be acceptable.

I really feel for you in this situation. I wish I could give you more advice. I pray that little Poochie passes peacefully and soon.

Dr. Marie.



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Dr. MarieDr. Marie is a veterinarian who practices in a busy animal hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. She created Ask A Vet Question as a resource for good, accurate veterinary advice online. Dr. Marie treats dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. She has been a vet since 1999.

Is an online vet visit just as good as a trip to your veterinarian? No! But, many times, asking an online veterinarian a question can help save you money. While Dr. Marie can't officially diagnose your pet or prescribe medications, she can often advise you on whether a vet visit is necessary. You can also ask Dr. Marie for a second opinion on your pet's condition.