> Why is Chocolate Poisonous to Ferrets > http://www.weaselwords.com/pages/art006.asp Hmmm, so what IS the evidence? Although many pet sites on the web talk about theobromide toxicity, the language leads me to think that they are all quoting one original article. So I looked for other sources. The medical sources talk about the diuretic and cardiovascular theraputic effect of theobromide, as a drug, so there is no doubt that there is a medical effect. The question is whether chocolate should be considered poisonous to ferrets. No original info appeared in my search. Our own Bob Church (known for his impeccable research) says: "CHOCOLATE: Contains theobromide, which is poisonous in dogs. There are lots of reports of ferrets eating large amounts of chocolate without ill effects. Most people argue that since it is toxic in dogs, it should be toxic in ferrets, but one doesn't necessarily prove the other. The occasional chocolate chip is probably safe, but if you worry about it, subsitute carob chips, also occasionally." http://www.storm.ca/~ferret/bchurch2.shtml (This, BTW, from a post that apparently first appeared on this list in 1998) A chocolate afficionado's site, quirky but well-researched: "Theobromine, the alkaloid contained in the beans, resembles caffeine in its stimulant action. Its effect on muscle, the kidneys and the heart is more pronounced than caffeine, while its effect on the central nervous system is less intense." http://www.mrkland.com/fun/xocoatl/science.htm University of Oxford, UK -- student chemistry site. Dated 2001. Nice reference site. "The toxicological properties of this material have not yet been investigated" http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/mom/chocolate/theoChemID.html (many sites did not distinguish between caffeine and theobromide. The MSDS for theobromide comes up with the one for caffeine) From a Drugs and Medicine site, on the history of drugs used for hypertension: "In 1886, Bronne at the University of Strasburg investigated the diuretic action of caffeine, which led to his supervisor, von Schroeder, examining an alkaloid found in cocoa seeds - theobromide - which was found to be a more effective diuretic(3)" http://www.freewebs.com/scientific_anti_vivisectionism11/ heartdishypertension.htm From a lecture on the treatment of particular cancers: "..stay away from foods that contain amines, theobromine, xanthenes, and caffeine.... These substances, vasoactive amines are called pressor amines. They are precursors for catecholamines such as adrenaline, which trigger carcinoid tumors to secrete vasoactive substances, which cause symptoms or carcinoid crisis.....Foods that are moderately high in these substances, such as coffee, chocolate, some nuts and pizza can be eaten in small amounts" http://www.carcinoid.org/MwarnerlectureSept2.htm Respiratory pharmacology (used as a treatment for Asthma): "Xanthine bronchodilators act to maintain cAMP levels by inhibiting phosphodiesterase (rather than increasing cAMP levels as with adrenergics). In addition to bronchodilation, they are also CNS stimulants, coronary artery dilators, cardiac stimulates & they promote diuresis. Xanthines are a group of vegetable organic compounds, the most common of which are caffeine, theophylline, & theobromide." http://www.respresources.com/Pharmacology.htm On the NIH site, an abstract for the effects on rats: TOXICOL APPL PHARMACOL; 49 (12). 1979. 127-150. "Therobromine, a component of chocolate which has caused sweating, trembling, and headaches when taken in large amounts, was added to the diet of..rats... prominant effects were anorexia ... , decrease in body weight... growth retardation,... atrophy of the thymus glands.. testicular atrophy... Hamsters and mice were more resistant...." http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search (search for theobromide) If nothing else, all this highlights the idea that foods and drugs are not really separate entities, and that something that is normally a harmless food can, under the right circumstances, act as a drug (good or bad). --Claire (Sam, Frankie, Missy, Louis and Lilo) [Posted in FML issue 4453]