It is fortunate that Pippa and Sally survived the research. (1). They
may have found the surrogate orchidometers "palatable", but the real ones
would have been undoubtedly less toxic.
Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Teasers (from
personal experience), however, are milk chocolate and the toxic dose would
be about 1.4kg for a 25kg dog. Plain and cooking chocolates contain much
higher concentrations. (2)
I wonder what the canine ethics committee would have said on the
matter!
References
1. Bhalla P, Sally, Pippa, et al. An inexpensive and edible aid for
the diagnosis of puberty in the male: multispecies evaluation of an
alternative orchidometer. BMJ 2001; 323: 1486.
Rapid Response:
Beware
Dear Sir
It is fortunate that Pippa and Sally survived the research. (1). They
may have found the surrogate orchidometers "palatable", but the real ones
would have been undoubtedly less toxic.
Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Teasers (from
personal experience), however, are milk chocolate and the toxic dose would
be about 1.4kg for a 25kg dog. Plain and cooking chocolates contain much
higher concentrations. (2)
I wonder what the canine ethics committee would have said on the
matter!
References
1. Bhalla P, Sally, Pippa, et al. An inexpensive and edible aid for
the diagnosis of puberty in the male: multispecies evaluation of an
alternative orchidometer. BMJ 2001; 323: 1486.
2. Chocolate toxicity in dogs.
http://www.idir.net/~wolf2dog/chocolate.htm. Accessed on 19th December
2001.
Competing interests: No competing interests