Came across this and thought it worth posting

This comes from the ASPCA website.


Welcome to ASPCA News Alert, a weekly e-mail newsletter from The
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

PLANNING TO FERTILIZE YOUR LAWN? READ THIS FIRST
How does your garden grow? Not with cocoa bean mulch, please. A
retrospective study just released by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
(APCC) confirms that this commonly used fertilizer may deter
slugs and snails, but it also attracts companion canines, who can be
poisoned by eating it.

Made from spent cocoa beans used in the production of chocolate, cocoa bean
mulch contains caffeine and theobromine, both of which are toxic to dogs.
Depending on the amount ingested, symptoms range from vomiting and diarrhea
(as exhibited by a 50-pound dog who had eaten about two ounces
of the mulch) to tremors, seizures and death.

The study, which included six cases received and managed by veterinarians at
the APCC between January 2002 and April 2003, was presented at last month's
2003 North American Congress of Clinical
Toxicology. Comments Dr. Steven Hansen, the APCC's Senior Vice President,
"Since the updated data confirms that dogs can exhibit certain clinical
effects after consuming cocoa bean shell mulch
fertilizer, the ASPCA advises pet owners that they should avoid using this
fertilizer around unsupervised dogs, and dogs with indiscriminate eating
habits."

If you suspect that your dog has ingested this organic fertilizer--or any
other potentially toxic substance--immediately contact your veterinarian.

--
David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk

"David Hill" wrote in message
...

Made from spent cocoa beans used in the production of chocolate, cocoa
bean
mulch contains caffeine and theobromine, both of which are toxic to dogs.
Depending on the amount ingested, symptoms range from vomiting and
diarrhea
(as exhibited by a 50-pound dog who had eaten about two ounces
of the mulch) to tremors, seizures and death.

According to my vets, this also apparently applies to normal chocolate.

I understand that the chocolate sold specifically for dogs in pet shops has
had the nasties removed and is safe.

--
Howard Neil

"Howard Neil" hneil@REMOVE TO REPLY.co.uk wrote in message
...

"David Hill" wrote in message
...

Made from spent cocoa beans used in the production of chocolate, cocoa
bean
mulch contains caffeine and theobromine, both of which are toxic to
dogs.
Depending on the amount ingested, symptoms range from vomiting and
diarrhea
(as exhibited by a 50-pound dog who had eaten about two ounces
of the mulch) to tremors, seizures and death.

According to my vets, this also apparently applies to normal chocolate.

I understand that the chocolate sold specifically for dogs in pet shops
has
had the nasties removed and is safe.

--
Howard Neil



We used to have a female Weimaraner who had an appetite for chocolate. When
I came home one evening to find she'd torn open a Christmas package in which
someone had put a box of chocolates, I phoned the veterinarian. The vet
told me to take the dog outside and force salt down the dog's throat, about
a teaspoon of it at a time. One or two iterations would induce vomiting in
the animal. The method worked.

One thing to note is that you need to get to the animal while the chocolate
or related substance is still in the stomach. Once the stuff has started to
move on, it's too late; however, I'm not familiar with whatever they do
beyond that point.

-
Al

On Sun, 19 Oct 2003 17:52:11 +0200, "The Hoopeses"
wrote:


One thing to note is that you need to get to the animal while the chocolate
or related substance is still in the stomach. Once the stuff has started to
move on, it's too late; however, I'm not familiar with whatever they do
beyond that point.

Bratwurst with chocolate sauce comes to mind
--
Martin

martin wrote:

On Sun, 19 Oct 2003 17:52:11 +0200, "The Hoopeses"
wrote:



One thing to note is that you need to get to the animal while the chocolate
or related substance is still in the stomach. Once the stuff has started to
move on, it's too late; however, I'm not familiar with whatever they do
beyond that point.


Bratwurst with chocolate sauce comes to mind

In this instance I believe the poor thing had learned her lesson. So
had I. There was no more chocolate in the house unless it was under
lock and key. We lovingly handed her off the next poor soul willing to
fall for those eyes.

-
Al

"The Hoopeses" wrote in message
...


martin wrote:

On Sun, 19 Oct 2003 17:52:11 +0200, "The Hoopeses"
wrote:



One thing to note is that you need to get to the animal while the
chocolate
or related substance is still in the stomach. Once the stuff has
started to
move on, it's too late; however, I'm not familiar with whatever they do
beyond that point.


Bratwurst with chocolate sauce comes to mind

In this instance I believe the poor thing had learned her lesson. So
had I. There was no more chocolate in the house unless it was under
lock and key. We lovingly handed her off the next poor soul willing to
fall for those eyes.

It is the theobromine in chocolate which can kill. It causes damage to the
nervous system I think and they end up having a heart attack or seizure. In
any case, I dislike chocolate myself . Chocolate is poisonous to many
species of animal and birds, not just dogs.

in article , The Hoopeses at
wrote on 19/10/03 4:52 pm:


"Howard Neil" hneil@REMOVE TO REPLY.co.uk wrote in message
...
snip
One thing to note is that you need to get to the animal while the chocolate
or related substance is still in the stomach. Once the stuff has started to
move on, it's too late; however, I'm not familiar with whatever they do
beyond that point.

-
Al


The cheaper the chocolate, the better. The rich, dark stuff is deadly. I
also had a Weimaraner at one time. Stubborn little .........thing. ;-
--

Sacha
(remove the 'x' to email me)

"oldmolly" wrote in message
...

"The Hoopeses" wrote in message
...

It is the theobromine in chocolate which can kill. It causes damage to
the
nervous system I think and they end up having a heart attack or seizure.
In
any case, I dislike chocolate myself . Chocolate is poisonous to many
species of animal and birds, not just dogs.

Yes. The vet told me the stuff can't be digested by a lot of animals, so
instead of just giving the little "high" of satisfaction and going its merry
way, as it does in humans, it stays on in the animal causing an
ever-increasing stimulation. She told me that was what brings on the
tremors, seizures, and death. It's the animal's liver which can't filter
out the chemical. My dog, unfortunately, had a passion for chocolate. She
was bad, bad, BAD when it was around.

-
Al

"Sacha" wrote in message
...
in article , The Hoopeses at
wrote on 19/10/03 4:52 pm:



The cheaper the chocolate, the better. The rich, dark stuff is deadly. I
also had a Weimaraner at one time. Stubborn little .........thing. ;-
--

Sacha
(remove the 'x' to email me)

This one had her positive points. I must say, the grass still grows well in
her favorite section of yard, three years later, despite daily cleanup
patrols. Otherwise, she was very possessive of her *people* to the point of
being destructive as soon as she'd lose sight of us. We found her a home
with another dog to keep her company. The owner's lawn is doing much better
now. :-)

-
Al