• Loki the Corgi got into a bag of Halloween candy earlier this fall, which led to a trip to an animal hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.
• The dog ate 15 chocolates, which worried his owners because chocolate is toxic to dogs
• Emergency vets at Capital Veterinary Specialists had Loki vomit the chocolate and then shared their story on Facebook to raise awareness of chocolate toxicity

No one wants to spend Halloween in the emergency room of an animal hospital, so pet parents are taking notes from the experience of Loki, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

On September 28, with the help of his canine brother Carson, the dog broke into a bag of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, removing 15 of the candies before his parents found out.

When Loki’s owners discovered the empty bag of chocolates, they suspected the curious Loki was the one who made them disappear and rushed the dog. Capital Veterinary Specialists in Jacksonville, Fla. The animal hospital is part of the Thrive Pet Healthcare community of veterinary hospitals. Loki’s caretakers knew chocolate was toxic to dogs, so they acted quickly.

“Loki presented to our emergency room after ingesting a bag of Reese’s Halloween chocolate and wrappers. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and the wrappers can cause intestinal obstruction,” said Mayra Apolo, an emergency veterinarian at Capital Veterinary Specialists in Jacksonville, Fla., for PEOPLE. .

According to Apolo, theobromine, an alkaloid in the cocoa beans used to make chocolate, makes chocolate toxic to canines.

“Milk chocolate has a lower concentration of theobromine and dark chocolate has a higher concentration of theobromine, which makes dark chocolate more toxic. Some dark chocolates may contain two substances that are even more toxic to dogs – theobromine and caffeine,” explains the veterinarian.

“Chocolate from bakers can be very toxic because it has the highest concentration. Mild toxicity can lead to vomiting and diarrhea, moderate toxicity can lead to hyperexcitability, incoordination and irregular heart rhythm, and severe toxicity can lead to tremors, convulsions and even death.”

So when Loki arrived at the animal hospital with a stomach full of chocolate and candy wrappers, the vets set about removing the potentially dangerous substances from his body. The vets induced vomiting in Loki, who regurgitated the 15 chocolates with no problem. Fortunately, the candy Corgi mainly ate was white chocolate, the least toxic chocolate for dogs, but still a substance that is not safe for pets.

“Dogs metabolize chocolate differently than humans, and even if the amount ingested is not toxic, it can cause health problems such as pancreatitis, which, if left untreated, can be fatal. We also need to consider dogs that already have chronic conditions, such as gastrointestinal disease, heart disease, a history of pancreatitis and anxiety,” says Apolo.

After getting the candy out of his system, Loki was given an exam and found to be hydrated and healthy, so he was sent home. This story could have had a much scarier outcome for the pet, especially if he had consumed a more toxic type of chocolate. To help protect pets, especially before Halloween, Capital Veterinary Specialists of Jacksonville shared the dog’s story on Facebookincluding a photo of Loki looking “shy” next to the candy he had to throw up. The post generated over 8,000 interactions.

Apolo hopes pet parents take the chocolate toxicity warning seriously, as vets are used to seeing an increase in chocolate toxicity cases around Halloween.

“Dogs have an amazing sense of smell; they will find any hidden chocolate treasure. We also need to consider other toxins found in Halloween candy. Sugar-free candies may contain xylitol, which can cause more serious problems in dogs. Don’t forget the packaging, which can cause an obstruction of the small intestine and lead to the need for surgery,” says the veterinarian.

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To keep Halloween candy out of the mouths and paws of searching pets, Apolo recommends keeping Halloween candy hidden where pets can’t reach, such as a tall cabinet.

If dog owners discover that their pet has consumed chocolate, Apolo recommends seeking help immediately. The sooner pet parents take action, the less likely it is that their pet will suffer lasting effects from chocolate toxicity.

“If your dog ingests chocolate, you should contact your local veterinarian or emergency veterinary center for information on inducing vomiting and/or if additional supportive care is recommended. Another useful source is Pet Poison Helpline or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center to receive professional advice on how to approach the situation”, advises Apolo.