1. If your pet has ingested caffeine, contact your veterinarian immediately.
  2. If instructed, induce vomiting or take your pet to the veterinarian so that this may be done. Vomiting should not be induced in hyperactive or overexcited animals.
  3. Veterinary care may involve repeat doses of activated charcoal, intravenous fluids and anti-emetics, sedation and seizure control. Monitoring of blood pressure and heart function is important and arrhythmias of the heart require medication to treat.
  4. If possible, provide the packaging or recipe of the product ingested to your veterinarian to aid in identification of the toxin.

OTHER NAMES

Coffee

TOXICITY

SEVERE

Toxicity depends on the amount and form of caffeine ingested.

CLINICAL SIGNS

  • Restlessness/hyperactivity
  • Excessive panting
  • Increased salivation or drooling
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
  • An uncoordinated or unsteady gait (ataxia)
  • Increased or excessive thirst (polydipsia)
  • Increased frequency of urination (polyuria)
  • Dilated pupils (Mydriasis)
  • Increased sensitivity to touch (hyperaesthesia)
  • Irritability
  • Twitching
  • Seizures
  • Blue coloured gums (cyanosis)
  • Coma
  • Sudden death from caffeine toxicity has been reported.

EFFECTS OF TOXICITY

Caffeine is a methylxanthine which is similar to theobromine (found in chocolate). It causes cardiac and central nervous stimulant and diuretic effects.

REFERENCES

Bough M (2011) Food-Associated Intoxications. In: Small Animal Toxicology Essentials ed. RH Poppenga and SM Gwaltney-Brant. London: Wiley-Blackwell. Pp212-214.

BSAVA (2012) BSAVA/VPIS Guide to Common Canine and Feline Poisons. Gloucester: BSAVA.