Easter may be over, but the goodies that it brings may still be lingering throughout the house and causing potential dangers to your furry family members. Cats and dogs are often attracted to the foods, baskets, grasses, and plants that are a part of the Easter holiday. To avoid an unnecessary trip to the veterinary hospital, follow a few simple precautions.

• The number one problem seen by veterinarians around the holidays is stomach or intestinal problems. Feeding your pets from the table or offering leftovers can cause gastrointestinal upset and even predispose an animal to other life-threatening conditions, such as pancreatitis. Bones are another indigestible treat to avoid. These could get stuck in the mouth or be swallowed and cause a perforation in the intestinal tract. But without a doubt, chocolate is the number one contender as the holiday troublemaker.
• Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine that causes heart problems and is toxic to almost all animals. Theobromine is similar to caffeine, and a dose of 50mg/lb can be fatal to a dog. When ingested, it causes the release of epinephrine, or adrenaline, which causes the heart to race and cardiac arrhythmias to occur.
• Dark chocolate is more threatening than milk chocolate, and baking chocolate is, without question, the most deadly. Ounce for ounce, baking chocolate has about six to nine times as much theobromine as milk chocolate. Just one ounce of unsweetened baking chocolate can kill a small breed dog. Theobromine is also present in cocoa beans, cola and tea.
• Another chocolate danger is the plastic wrap or aluminum foil that comes wrapped around these dangerous treats. This can also cause an intestinal obstruction and be very damaging to the pet's health. Be sure that these attractive wrappers are kept out of sight and properly disposed of in a container that your pet cannot access.
• If your pet has recently eaten chocolate, the best treatment is to induce vomiting. Your veterinarian will also induce vomiting and administer charcoal to reduce absorption of the chocolate remaining in the digestive tract. Administration of fluids and drugs to stabilize the heart and respiration may also be used to keep the animal from going into shock.
• Dogs are at the highest risk for potential chocolate encounters; however, all animals are at risk if they are curious enough. Signs of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive urination, or hyperactivity followed by depression.
• If any of these symptoms should appear or if your Easter basket is suddenly empty, consult your veterinarian immediately. Time is of the essence, so do not delay, and seek emergency care immediately if chocolate has been consumed.