ER milton
A Not-So-Sweet TREAT THE TRUTH ABOUT DOGS AND CHOCOLATE In the days following Halloween, we receive a number of calls from panicked pet owners whose dogs have gotten into the leftover trick-or-treat stash. Chocolate and dogs are a bad combination, so pet owners are understandably worried about poisoning via fun-sized chocolates. Here are a few questions pet owners need to be ready to answer when dealing with potential chocolate toxicity. WHAT KIND OF CHOCOLATE WAS IT? Dogs shouldn’t be eating any kind of chocolate due to a compound in chocolate called theobromine. While theobromine poses no threat to humans, dogs metabolize the compound much slower, allowing toxic levels to build up in their system. However, it’s important to note that different kinds of chocolates have different levels of theobromine. Milk chocolate and white chocolate have very little theobromine. If your dog gets into a small Kit Kat, you probably don’t have to worry too much. A little milk chocolate can make your dog sick, but it’s rarely life-threatening. Dark chocolate, baking chocolate, and cocoa have much higher levels of theobromine. Be cautious with cooking chocolates or imported dark chocolates. Less than an ounce of dark chocolate can poison a 44-pound dog. HOW MUCH CHOCOLATE DID THEY GET INTO? If your dog eats just two Hershey’s kisses, they’re probably going to be fine. Even a single dark chocolate chip isn’t a reason to panic. Dogs have to keep eating chocolate in order for theobromine to build in their system. If you’re not sure how much chocolate your dog has eaten, it’s better to err on the side of caution and call your vet right away. HOW BIG IS YOUR DOG? The size of your dog also matters in terms of how serious the situation is. If a Great Dane or a Saint Bernard chows down on a regular milk chocolate Hershey bar, they’re probably going to be okay. However, if a Yorkie got into that much chocolate, it would be a cause for concern. As we enter the holidays, chocolate treats are more readily available, so it’s a real possibility that your dog will get ahold of something they shouldn’t eat. If you suspect your dog has eaten a dangerous amount of chocolate, it’s important not to panic. Give us a call at 406-755-6886, and we can help you determine the right course of action to protect your dog’s health.
A lot of people have
complimented my unique name. Dr. Clark and Rose Ann spent a while picking out the perfect name. Rose Ann is a schoolteacher, so I couldn’t share a name with any of her students,
and Dr. Clark didn’t want my name to get confused with any of his patients. In the end, they decided Hamilton was perfect for the patriotic theme of our house. Some people have been known to start singing show tunes when they hear my name, which seems a little weird. No one sings when they hear Dr. Clark’s name. Is that normal for humans to do? Is there something special about my name?
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. In a medium bowl, combine
sweet potatoes, water, and egg. Add turkey and flour and stir again until dough is thick and sticky.
3. Use a rubber spreader to spread dough evenly on parchment-lined baking sheet, about 1/2-inch thick. Cut dough into small rectangles using a knife or pizza cutter. 4. Bake for 30 minutes, until the dog treats are lightly golden brown. 5. Remove from oven and let treats cool completely. Break treats apart along score lines. 6. Serve fresh or store in refrigerator for up to two weeks.
406.755.6886
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