Fordingbridge dog rushed to vets after scoffing Easter treats
A Salisbury vet says it could have cost Bruce his life
Labradoodle Bruce was taken to the vets for emergency treatment after scoffing 12 Cadbury's Crème Eggs and some bars of dark chocolate.
The Fordingbridge pup was swiftly taken to emergency experts 'Vets Now' in Salisbury after owner Alison Rothery came down to find his bed full of wrappers.
Alison said Bruce didn't 'seem out of sorts' when she found him but was worried about the dark chocolate.
"He was just a bit over-excited, probably because of all the sugar. But when I realised just how much chocolate he'd eaten I knew I needed to get help.
"The Creme Eggs were obviously a concern and although this was first thing, I couldn't be sure if he'd just eaten them or he'd had them earlier in the night and he'd had them in his system for hours.
"We had the Easter chocolate high up in the larder, right at the back and actually on a shelf above, where we thought he couldn't possibly have reached.
"We must have left the door ajar and he'd obviously sniffed his way in, stood up and helped himself."
WHY CHOCOLATE IS BAD FOR DOGS
Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which is poisonous to dogs. The amount depends on the type, with dark chocolate the most toxic.
It mainly affects the guts, heart, central nervous system and kidneys and common symptoms are vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, hyperactivity and seizure.
Senior vet surgeon Dave Hollinshead gave Bruce his emergency treatment, he said Crème Eggs aren't particularly high in theobromine, dark chocolate is.
"After discussing the situation with his owners, our team in Salisbury gave Bruce an injection and he brought up a lot of chocolate and quite a few wrappers.
"Thankfully, after further checks, we were able to allow him home with a prescription of activated charcoal which helps to absorb any toxins left in the system.
"Easter eggs are obviously a big favourite at this time of year. But while they are a nice treat for adults and children, they are a real hazard for pets, so do please take care.''
Ms Rothery praised the vets for a "brilliant job'' and called on other owners to take precautions.
She said: "We're taking absolutely no chances now. Ever since it happened, we've been putting any chocolate in the fridge and that's where the Easter eggs will be going from now on.''