What Was Eaten and How Much
First step is identifying the toxin and estimating the ingested dose.
- 2 main: Common toxins (Chocolate, xylitol gum/candy)
- Amount: Key input (Grams ingested, estimated)
- Body wt: Key input (Pet weight in kg)
- <2 hrs: Time factor (Best window to act)
Identifying the substance and quantity
Placeholder: owner reports product type, package size, and estimated bite amount.
Weight-Based Toxic Dose Threshold
Toxicity is calculated per kilogram of pet body weight.
- Low mg/kg: Mild threshold (Monitor at home)
- Mid mg/kg: Moderate threshold (Call vet promptly)
- High mg/kg: Severe threshold (Emergency vet visit)
- 0-10: Scale used (Relative dose scale)
Comparing dose to threshold curve
Placeholder: gauge shows dose rising toward the red danger line.
Theobromine Toxicity Mechanism
Theobromine accumulates because dogs clear it much slower than humans.
- Theobromine: Compound (Methylxanthine alkaloid)
- Long: Half-life (Slow clearance in dogs)
- Highest risk: Dark chocolate (More theobromine per gram)
- Cardiac/CNS: Effect (Heart and nervous system)
How theobromine harms the body
Placeholder: theobromine overstimulates heart and nervous system tissue.
Xylitol Insulin-Release Toxicity
Xylitol falsely signals the pancreas to release large amounts of insulin.
- Xylitol: Compound (Sugar alcohol sweetener)
- Fast: Onset (Minutes to an hour)
- Hypoglycemia: Main risk (Dangerous blood sugar drop)
- Liver failure: Secondary risk (At higher doses)
Insulin surge and blood sugar crash
Placeholder: rapid insulin spike drains blood glucose within minutes.
Emergency Action Urgency Level
Combined severity score sets how urgently the pet needs care.
- Monitor: Low urgency (Watch for symptoms)
- Call vet: Medium urgency (Phone poison control)
- ER now: High urgency (Immediate emergency visit)
- Induce vomit: Best action (Only if vet advises)
Deciding the response tier
Placeholder: higher dose and severity push urgency toward emergency care.
Immediate next steps
Placeholder: contact vet or poison control before symptoms escalate further.
Placeholder: never induce vomiting without professional guidance first.