Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Veterinární Medicína, 2(58), p. 109-112, 2013
DOI: 10.17221/6703-vetmed
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Chocolate intoxication in small animals may be life-threatening and associated with serious morbidity and mortality. The main clinical presentations are cardio-respiratory and neurological complications. One of the most common post-mortem findings is pulmonary oedema which can be a cause of immediate death. We report a case of non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema thought to be triggered by chocolate intoxication in a threemonth- old puppy Dachshund dog. To the authors' knowledge this is the first time such a complication has been reported after chocolate ingestion. The history, clinical signs, diagnostic approach (radiographs, methylxanthine concentrations, electrocardiography and echocardiography), and treatment are described. The effects of a combination of methylxanthines and other triggers of non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema are discussed.