When Roxy eats the Indian Halloween costumes you'll really need the affordable pet health insurance
Miami, Florida (PRWEB) October 29, 2015
"Healthy Paws affordable pet insurance claims data revealed that pets are 32% more likely to suffer food poisoning during Halloween week versus any other time of the year," says Marc Zimmerman, Managing Director of Nations Insurance Solutions. Among the top toxins? Chocolate.Chocolate poses a threat to pets because it contains toxic theobromine.Different types of chocolate affect pets differently because they have varying levels of theobromine. Baking chocolate has the highest concentration, and is therefore the most toxic – followed by dark, milk and then white chocolate. The type of chocolate and the size of the dog will determine how severe the symptoms will be.
How much is too much? So Roxy raided the Halloween haul after eating her indian halloween costumes. How’s a pet parent to know if she’s in danger of food poisoning? To tell if candy-gobbling canines are at risk, pet parents need to know three things: how much theobromine the chocolate contains, how much the dog ate and how much she weighs. If a dog ingests close to 20 mg of theobromine per pound of body weight, she’s in the danger zone for food poisoning.
Milligrams of theobromine per ounce:
Baking chocolate – 450mg/oz
Dark chocolate – 160mg/oz
Milk chocolate – 64mg/oz
White chocolate – 1mg/oz
Here’s how to do the math: Multiply the ounces of chocolate ingested by the milligrams of theobromine per ounce and divide that by the weight of the dog in pounds. The closer the resulting number is to 20, the worse the toxic effects will haunt her.
For example:
A 25-lb. dog who eats 3 ounces of milk chocolate:
3oz x 64mg/oz = 192/25lbs = 7.7mg/lb (non-toxic level of theobromine)
A 25-lb. dog who eats 3 ounces of dark chocolate:
3oz x 160mg/oz = 480/25lbs = 19.2mg/lb (dangerous level of theobromine)
What to do next
A number close to 20 indicates a toxic level of theobromine that can terrorize a pet’s health. Get to the vet or an emergency clinic immediately. If the number is well below 20, the pet’s tummy may turn on him, but don’t be spooked.
Call the Pet Poison Helpline 800.213.6680
Top Halloween related claims/average cost:
Ingestion of Costume Parts = $1,627
Raisin Toxicity = $565
Chocolate Toxicity = $356
Chewing Gum and Candy (Containing Xylitol) Toxicity = $330
Upset Stomach / Diarrhea = $203
For more information on how to have a yappy Halloween (plus how to protect pets year-round), visit http://marketing.nationsinsurance.solutions/acton/media/14685/healthy-paws-affordable-pet-health-insurance
About Nations Insurance Solutions:
Nations Insurance Solutions is a Multi-Line Full Service Insurance Agency in all 50 states. The Agency offers Health, Medicare Supplements/Advantage, Dental, Life, Accident,Cancer, Home, Renters, Auto, Motorcycle and Commercial. Contact Us at 1.888.468.7017. "The Choice is Yours."