Corgi Eats 15 Toxic Halloween Chocolates and Goes to Emergency Vet for Help (Exclusive)

• Loki the Corgi got into a bag of Halloween candies early this autumn, resulting in a trip to an animal hospital in Jacksonville, Fla.
• The dog ate 15 chocolate, which worried his owners since chocolate is toxic to dogs
• Emergency vets at Capital Veterinary Specialists had Loki vomit up the chocolates and then shared his story on Facebook to bring attention to chocolate toxicity

No one wants to spend Halloween in the waiting room of the emergency animal hospital, so pet parents take notes from Loki the Pembroke Welsh Corgi's experience.

On Sept. 28, with help from his canine brother Carson, the pooch got into a bag of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, scarfing down 15 of the confections before his pet parents found out.

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

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

According to Apolo, theobromine, an alkaloid in the cacao 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, making darker chocolate more toxic. Some dark chocolate may contain two substances that are even more toxic to dogs — theobromine and caffeine,” the vet explains.

“Bakers' chocolate can be very toxic because it has the highest concentration. Mild toxicity may result in vomiting and diarrhea, moderate toxicity may result in hyperexcitability, incoordination, and irregular heart rhythm, and severe toxicity may result in tremors, seizures, and even death.”

So when Loki arrived at the animal hospital with a stomach full of chocolate and candy wrappers, veterinarians went to work getting the potentially dangerous substances out of his body. The vets induced vomiting in Loki, who regurgitated the 15 chocolate without issue. Luckily, the candies the Corgi ate mainly were white chocolate, the least toxic chocolate to dogs, but still a substance that isn't safe for pets.

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

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

Apolo hopes pet parents take the warning about chocolate toxicity seriously since the vet is used to seeing an uptick in chocolate toxicity cases around Halloween.

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

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To keep Halloween candy out of the seeking mouths and paws of pets, Apolo recommends keeping Halloween candy stashed somewhere pets can't reach, like a high cabinet.

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

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